"Insect, step away from the squash."

Despite our best efforts at biological controls, we are at  DEFCON 1 and contemplating chemical warfare.

"Who me?... *burp*"
squash bug nymphs taking a break from sucking the life out of a plant

Although they are not as dangerous to established plants as they are to the younger ones, I'm not ready to cede the squash beds to the bugs. I don't mind sharing a little but you know these guys, give 'em an inch...

cute?!?! check out the piercing-sucking mouthparts

And over in the okra...more bugs that suck.

aphids

Thankfully this seems to be a one-plant infestation so this evening I'm relocating ladybugs to the best buffet in the garden. There will even be a show for them: Anasa tristis-ageddon premieres tonight.

Yes, intrepid reader, there were enough ladybugs for a football field-sized garden, wish I still had some in the 'fridge.

Ladybirds, ladybugs

Today's mail:

Per the enclosed instructions, the ladybird beetles are resting quietly in the refrigerator before their debut this evening. It was 99 degrees when USPS dropped them at the door so they have a few hours to chill out before it's safe to release them. The garden will appreciate a little extra water as we all share a welcoming toast to our ~4500 new residents. Of course, they won't all move in tonight -- the instructions say to stagger their release over several days -- and there are more coming from a different source (comparisons will be posted). I'm hoping for some fun photo opportunities; good thing I figured out how to set up the 'continuous shoot' mode on the new camera.

"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home; your house is on fire, your children do roam..." At least within the limits of Smallish Small City they won't have to worry about that fate.

Bugs!

It's been hot here; we're looking at 100+ degrees for the next 7 days with no moisture in the near future. We're still learning how to garden in these searing conditions so... um... I'll admit it...mistakes were made. Now we have bugs.

 

No, not beetles. That is a happy little 'infestation' at a local park today and I'm pretty sure it will clear up without intervention.

This is what we've got lurking in our sunflowers and tarragon, two potted plants that were a under-watered and over-stressed, making them easy targets for bugs and disease. Whether these are mites or aphids the treatment will be the same.

I should have known better: this unrelenting heat, combined with dessicating winds, is scorching petals on the gladiolus in a matter of hours. Fine tuning the watering schedule in this new-to-us place will take some time, I just hope there aren't any more plant casualties. In the meantime, the ladybug brigade will take a few days to arrive so I 'm off to fetch the pyrethrins.