Pray for the Hummingbird
Florida is known for its bugs. And this summer has been one of the worst in years. The eaves of the house are covered in wasp nests. Carpenter ants are invading our house by the hundreds. We have even found a termite or two. Oh, yes, and the occasional palmetto bug, not to mention hoards of mosquitoes.
I do not like pesticides. So every year I determine that I am going to stop using them. Then it comes down to a decision. Do we move out of our bedroom or spray the carpenter ants. (They have already driven us out of the bathroom.) Do we risk termites leveling our house or call in the big guns? Do we want a lawn or a cicada killer wasp sanctuary?
Today was D-day (or P-day). I had finally had it with carpenter ants swarming out of the bathroom light fixture every time I turned on the light, dropping on my head as I tried to do my makeup, and crawling up the wall at the head of my bed. I called in “Knockout.” Just before they arrived, I thought about the hummingbird. Carpenter ant eradication usually involves spraying the yard. The hummingbird spends his time in the flowered bushes surrounding the kitchen and dining room windows. So I googled “hummingbirds + pesticides.” My worst fears were comfirmed. The first article I read said that “pesticides, especially sprays, can be lethal to hummingbirds. Even if they do not take in enough nectar contaminated with pesticides to kill them directly, the number of small insects available to them in the garden will drop. This may cause starvation or death of the young.”
So now it comes down to a choice. Do we allow the insects to chase us out of the house and save the hummingbird, or do we have the pest control company do their thing and pray for a miracle for our little friend?
I showed the pest control man which bushes to avoid. However, that may not be good enough. So now I am going to pray a lot.
I do not like pesticides. So every year I determine that I am going to stop using them. Then it comes down to a decision. Do we move out of our bedroom or spray the carpenter ants. (They have already driven us out of the bathroom.) Do we risk termites leveling our house or call in the big guns? Do we want a lawn or a cicada killer wasp sanctuary?
Today was D-day (or P-day). I had finally had it with carpenter ants swarming out of the bathroom light fixture every time I turned on the light, dropping on my head as I tried to do my makeup, and crawling up the wall at the head of my bed. I called in “Knockout.” Just before they arrived, I thought about the hummingbird. Carpenter ant eradication usually involves spraying the yard. The hummingbird spends his time in the flowered bushes surrounding the kitchen and dining room windows. So I googled “hummingbirds + pesticides.” My worst fears were comfirmed. The first article I read said that “pesticides, especially sprays, can be lethal to hummingbirds. Even if they do not take in enough nectar contaminated with pesticides to kill them directly, the number of small insects available to them in the garden will drop. This may cause starvation or death of the young.”
So now it comes down to a choice. Do we allow the insects to chase us out of the house and save the hummingbird, or do we have the pest control company do their thing and pray for a miracle for our little friend?
I showed the pest control man which bushes to avoid. However, that may not be good enough. So now I am going to pray a lot.