The return of the colorado beetle!

There are back!!!!! After creating a false sense of security last year the Colorado beetles are back – I go away for a few days and the little buggers invade our potatoes! Ben spotted them – bring a little one back in and asking “are these….” As we went out to pick strawberries and spinach for tea I inspected the damage and spent last nigh pulling them off and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water – it is very very time consuming but strangely very rewarding. I must have collected over 200 if not more and have checked again today – not many about so will check again in a couple of days when the new babies have had time to grow. It is quite disheartening when  you discover these little beetles and the devastation that they do to your potato crop, you can spray but the chemicals used are pretty strong and I draw the line at using weed killer a couple of times a year - think of it instead of a time to spend in my garden enjoying the sounds of the country!.

The babies doing their work....

Fully grown adults - able to lay many, many, many eggs at a time

Both the kids were in crèche today so continued to unpack and cut the grass in the back garden in preparation for Rivan’s birthday party on Sunday and also so the kids are able to play out there tomorrow – if it stops raining! We collected both the kids at 4pm and then went swimming which was great fun – Ruby is now swimming on her own with a float, and loves the freedom. Ben has spent a long time with her getting her to this point and it is great to see her kick and splash and be in control of her own direction (in the pool at least). Rivan had a good day at crèche and feeling a bit better but was sooooo tired this evening he collapsed and fell asleep whilst I was making his milk – they can both have a lie in tomorrow if they want (I wish)!

Checking out for the day!

Comments

[rae of sunshine]

She is welcome to come and help harvest the little beetles any time she likes - they are a little slippery when small but fascinating to see the different stages of development. Look forward to your surprise tomorrow - thanks for the card, bet the post office loved you with all those 1cts stamps - it has been franked about 15 times. Very creative.
A+

[minutepapillon]

Creepy crawlies are fascinating for Lynn. I think she'd likely like giving you a hand next time it needs to be done.
today rain again, it will make your garden smell wonderful and look lush and green for the party tomorrow, talking of which, I'd better get back to ... ah ah surprise!