Texas Spring/Summer Thread

[pacerron]

Remember the white faced hornet nest pics I posted last week. Here is how many layers they have added in 1 week. The second shot is just a full size piece of an image(4000 x 3000 or 12 megapixels ) to show how big the bees are.
Ron

 

[farmgirl19]

Holy Moley! Those things are serious about building a nest!

 

[robbyr]

I just googled images of hornets and didn't see any like I described in earlier post. So, if it's the size of a small hummingbird, very loud, by itself, and usually hovering about three or four feet above the ground, then what is it?

 

[robbyr]

When was the last time anyone saw a horned toad? I could've asked when was the last time you saw a jackrabbit but I saw one last week. First one since early 90's.

 

[farmgirl19]

I have horned toads here, but not many. Of course, I don't use chemicals, and stay as organic as possible. The horned toads eat the red ants. Some evenings, you will see the toad sitting in the middle of the red ant colony, eating his/her fill. Seem to be immune to the sting. I had tons of them, when I moved here, but I think neighbors are chemical happy, and try to kill red ants, etc. Hence, numbers are decreased from what they were.

I have those large "ground digger" hornets too, but not sure what they are really called.

 

[pacerron]

So Ron, when u click on My Home and then the thread, doesn't it take you to the newest post since you last left that thread?

It takes me to the page that has the most recent post on it, which could be one post or a variable number before it depending on how long they are. Often times a reply by someone refers back to a post that was on previous pages. Since the replies, with quote or multiple quotes, often have part of the quote or pictures referred too removed, I have to go back to get the gist of the story, if it is something of interest.. Other times when I am bloviating about something other post are snuck in in the meantime on a previous page that wasn't full while I was typing so those can be missed as well.
At least that's the way it appears to me. :confused3:
Ron

 

[DABSGT]

I have horned toads here, but not many. Of course, I don't use chemicals, and stay as organic as possible. The horned toads eat the red ants. Some evenings, you will see the toad sitting in the middle of the red ant colony, eating his/her fill. Seem to be immune to the sting. I had tons of them, when I moved here, but I think neighbors are chemical happy, and try to kill red ants, etc. Hence, numbers are decreased from what they were.

I have those large "ground digger" hornets too, but not sure what they are really called.

Of course you have horny toads in your pond, they must have seen you with the rake in Ron's post

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[pacerron]

Since FG19's rain dances aren't making much rain have you guys ever tried grillin meat? That usually brings a rain around here from nowhere. Beautiful day here today but about the time the grill was hot I heard thunder out front and could see it getting dark. Went to the front porch and could see rain falling from the sky just north of here. We were lucky for the next 12 minutes and got the meat cooked. Everything else from the garden. We love eating stuff from our garden. We haven't been to the store for 3 weeks now. Have to go soon, getting low on TP.
Ron

 

[robbyr]

Horned toads eat red ants? Around here it's always said that fireants caused the demise of something if ya quit seeing that something.

 

[sseelhoff]

Since FG19's rain dances aren't making much rain have you guys ever tried grillin meat? That usually brings a rain around here from nowhere. Beautiful day here today but about the time the grill was hot I heard thunder out front and could see it getting dark. Went to the front porch and could see rain falling from the sky just north of here. We were lucky for the next 12 minutes and got the meat cooked. Everything else from the garden. We love eating stuff from our garden. We haven't been to the store for 3 weeks now. Have to go soon, getting low on TP.
Ron

You don't have trees on your property?

 

[robbyr]

Ron, stay away from the store a little longer. Don't ya have some corn cobs handy?

 

[farmgirl19]

Horned toads eat red ants? Around here it's always said that fireants caused the demise of something if ya quit seeing that something.

Chemicals cause more problems than fireants, although fireants are not welcome here. Fireants eat ticks, from what I hear. Ticks are slow enough moving that fireants get them. Fleas are quick to jump away, so will be able to co-exist with the fireants.

 

[pacerron]

I have those large "ground digger" hornets too, but not sure what they are really called.

We have large yellow underground wasps. They are cousins to the hornets but much meaner in disposition.
It is very common to stir them up while making hay by running over their nest holes. When a stop is necessary
for mechanical or other functions it is very likely to stir them up at the worst moment. That will make you :dance1::dance1::dance1:

 

[farmgirl19]

We have large yellow underground wasps. They are cousins to the hornets but much meaner in disposition.
It is very common to stir them up while making hay by running over their nest holes. When a stop is necessary
for mechanical or other functions it is very likely to stir them up at the worst moment. That will make you :dance1::dance1::dance1:

I've been hearing about that from some others that live up your way. Somne have resorted to going back out at night and pouring gasoline in the nests and then igniting it!

We've had a couple of deaths in the DFW area from bees. One guy on a tractor was killed, and another couple was out working with their horses when attacked, and the people jumped in their pool to get away, as did one of the horses, but both horses succumbed to the stings. Bees stayed above the water, waiting for things to come up for air. I think the lady had something like 100 stings on her face. Both incidents are thought to be Africanized bees.

Maybe my rain dance is working! It is getting cloudy and thundering! X-fingers

 

[Bird]

Horned toads eat red ants?

That's what I've read and been told. And it does seem that the horned toads and big red ants all disappeared about the same time.

Fireants eat ticks, from what I hear. Ticks are slow enough moving that fireants get them.

I don't think I'd heard that before, but it sounds likely. I know I've not seen a tick in years; and never saw any when we lived in Navarro County, but we sure had lots of fire ants. I've also read that fire ants are actually good for cotton crops because they eat boll weevils.

 

[farmgirl19]

Fireants are hard on the roots of plants and trees, if left unchecked. Wouldn't surprise me about them eating boll weavils, but I might would rather battle the weavils.

 

[farmgirl19]

It is blowing a gale here. A few raindrops are falling, but not many. It will be interesting to see if we get damage out of this wind. Might not know until sunrise.


Edit: It is raining here!!!! Lots of thunder and lightening, and the cell appears to be just sitting over me! Now, if the winds don't hurt anything, I'm going to be really happy! I went out and took pics, but am out of enough data plan until next billing cycle, so will post then. I'll be checking the rain gauge in the morning!

 

[robbyr]

You got a rain guage like the blue one on my back porch in earlier post? Here's wishing ya a good soaking.

 

[bindian]

Heck, if she does windows, I'll hire her!

Oh I would also. Can't find good window washers. My brother cleaned windows and he wouldn't do mine!
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Oh yes, Lou won. He used nuclear waste as fertilizer, watered them with beer, and played country music to them.:laughing: I believe my biggest was 1 lb 4 oz.

Brandi: I made a grapple hook out of bent rebar. It worked great, but was way too much work. Lately, our lake hasn't had enough water in it to worry about moss. It's hard to launch a paddle boat without running aground. I'm glad that cornmeal is helping to keep you algae free.

Quick and easy, lite weight rake...............wire icebox sheves wired onto a hoe. No matter how lite the rake is...............that crap is heavy until the water drains out.
hugs, Brandi