= )

xo
RegSis

Years ago, we lived in a house that had black widows in the garage and backyard. I taught my older daughter to fear spiders back then, out of necessity. Perhaps I taught her a bit too well.

I learned a lot about black widows when we had them. And I learned to not worry too much about them. They’re not aggressive, and I know of some people who actually let them live in the house. They figure they know where the spiders are, and they just leave ‘em be.

I did find some false widows living in my window wells last night. At first I thought they were brown widows, but then I looked them up and discovered they’re really false black widows. Those I’ll keep, since they do enjoy feasting on black widows when they can get them.

I have no problem with the death of waps.

Regarding killing spiders.. at our house, we have a kind hearted child who prickled our conscience about that. She began, at a very young age, catching them and putting them outside. She pointed out that they’re not there to eat you for dinner, they’re there to eat the mosquitos and other critters who want you for dinner! I mean, how would you like it, she said, if you were at the grocery store looking for dinner and a big monster came up and smashed you?

I’d say 95% of the time we catch and release. I have stepped out of the shower all wet to get a paper cup and a piece of paper to put over the top, caught the critter who was bathing with me, and saved it on the counter to take outside afterward. I always get dressed before going out, don’t want to give Cletus a thrill.

Apparantly you have to wait until they are asleep before spraying and removing them.

My garage has wasps. Every time we kill them off a new swarm moves in. I hope no one gets stung, those suckers hurt!