#dealing with ants

[balkanradfem]

On rain-related pests in the garden

So this year has decided to have one of the most rainy springs I've seen. It's been raining for a week and a half, and the prognosis is rain for another week. It reminds me of the first year of my gardening; we also had incessant rain for almost a month, and everyone was saying it was the absolute worst year for gardening yet. Me, who has not gardened ever before, thought it was the best year ever because I had garden produce like never before in my life (because I never gardened before), and was extremely pleased with it.

So, what does constant rain mean for gardening?

It means different things for different plants. Peas, for example, absolutely love it. Wet and cold is their ideal growing conditions, they're having a great time and growing visibly bigger every single day. Peppers are also having a great time! They love being watered and being watered constantly makes sure they'll produce some good roots. I've also noticed cabbage and kale doing very well in the rain, potatoes seem pleased, and all of the squash and the beans I've planted are coming out of the ground, and I'm guessing they're growing roots and waiting for sunshine to do better. Tomatoes, however, are not pleased at all. They're prone to getting sick if their leaves get water and then dirt on them, and since they're all small and close to the ground, they're getting dirty easily. They're also struggling to draw enough nutrients from the ground in the cold, so some are turning black, and others are a little frozen in time, just waiting until it's sunny again so they can grow.

There's a common problem in the community gardens, and people's gardens in general, where this much ran can cause a flood, meaning your plants can get their roots and stalks completely covered in water, and they do not enjoy or tolerate that. Plants that are drowning end up with their roots rotted away; it can happen to seeds as well, if they're completely underwater, they'll rot before managing to sprout.

There's another, equally big problem with this much rain – the slugs are thriving. Slugs have gotten into everyone's garden, and they're eating, well, almost everything in sight. I have had a good share of my baby bean plants eaten away, and I'm seeing big pieces of my baby cabbages missing. Beans seem to be their favourite, they're focused on annihilating them instantly, but they'll also happily eat strawberries when ripe, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, green beans, and anything that is pulled out of the ground and rotting. I actually found most of the slugs in my garden feasting on some old plants and weeds I pulled out that started rotting, there's something irresistible in it to slugs, apparently. So what can you do about slugs?

There's many tricks and methods commonly used and shared, like, put a container of beer in the ground, and they'll all drown in there. They can get picked off and eaten away by a specific variety of ducks. Some people will grow plants that are specifically alluring to slugs to distract them from their other garden produce, others will just go ahead and use diatomaceous earth or some kind of poison to get them to go away. I've never tried any of that; my true and tried method is picking the slugs off, and putting them somewhere else. It takes a lot of dedication and time, but it seems to work; if you're constantly in the garden and picking slugs away, they don't manage to reproduce, so you don't have to deal with their babies next year. With this much rain though, you'll get slugs no matter what you do, they can easily slide to your garden from any patch of grass nearby. Their eggs can also last for several years underground so eradicating them is completely impossible.

If you're trying to pick off your slugs, you need to know how to find them; slugs are not out there and eating your produce all day. They come out early morning, late evening, and after the rain stops. I will usually pick early morning or late evening to visit the garden, and pick them off once a day. It's good to remember to take some gloves so you do not have to deal with the slime (though apparently it's very healthy for the skin), and it's good to have a little container to put them in, so you can easily gather a lot before taking them away.

I found it's easier to find slugs if you're out there weeding and fertilizing, then you catch glimpses of them more easily than when you specifically go and look for slugs. We humans have the advantage of seeing the world from way higher above than slugs, and we tend to move a bit faster, so walking for 2-3 minutes and releasing slugs away from the garden, can disorient them from easily finding your garden again; it's likely they'll find something else to eat closer to their destination. I've never had slugs return in any significant number, it's more likely that you'll get new slugs who are just living closer to your garden.

From the book about 'pests' I've read recently, it's described that killing them largely does not work at all, because it's the food source for the animals that determines how fast they reproduce. So I don't think annihilation is possible, if you're creating a food source, they'll take it as a hint to reproduce at a higher rate, since resources are made available for them to do so. If you're introducing a species that is a predator, you have to count on that species reproducing massively as well, as you've put them in an environment with a large food source. Dislocating the food source, making it unavailable, or dislocating the animal that is eating your produce, so they can't find it again, could potentially hint them into slowing down reproduction, as they're not seeing any food source nearby, I think that's why this method works.

Another problem that is appearing in the garden as the result of the ongoing rain are ants. Ants by themselves are not that harmful to plants, but you know what they do? They'll farm leaf-lice on your plants. They'll find a plant and let lice put their eggs there and then guard the eggs and have bunch of lice eat all of your plants and it's terrible. So ants also need to get a little displaced and find somewhere else to build their farms other than your garden! I've not figured this one yet; I know you can mix 2 anthills in order to create an ant war and have them annihilate each other, but I don't want to make that kind of historical ant drama. I'll look into other options!

[weepylucifer]

one of the weirder more unexplained phenomena on this site are those people you'll sometimes see in fandom tags who make like... stimboards of some completely uncontroversial character and then they have the most bizarre DNIs underneath like. a banner of some cartoon character and "DNI: NAZIS, WAR CRIMINALS, AXE MURDERERS, HOMOPHOBES, POOL TOY FETISHISTS, PEOPLE WHO LIKE CHERRY COKE, ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SHIPPED THE TRAINS FROM THOMAS THE TRAIN ENGINE TOGETHER" and all of these are posited like they're equally bad. but it's only stimboard posts that have these banners. absolutely no one else ever does these

[anoant]

God of Time

[mari-lair]

chimera ant killua?

ooooh I like the sound of that

head too empty for a proper au, but have this doodle

[sunderwight]

has anyone written a Loki series fic where Don the Jet Ski Salesman comes home one day to find his boys hiding something in the garage, and is tiredly like "is it snake? I better not go in there and find out you guys robbed a zoo--" only to open the garage door and see an injured, bewildered frost giant Loki prodding cautiously at a bag of doritos (the boys attempted to provide sustenance) (could be angst or good just be the version from the What If? episode trying to recover from a bender with Thor)

[raintailed]

YAYAYAY!!!!! My final funguary guys!!

ANT (Acidity Near Thresholds; xe/xer, they/them) finally gets a redesign!

Oops ANT got molded :[ don't worry, they're ok! This is for the icing sugar fungus prompt.

Tox/The Moldy (it/its, ze/zir), for the final magic mushroom prompt. I chose to interpret it as a free space, so this guy is based on moldy dwarf bulborbs from Pikmin 4 :D Also Tox is responsible for ANT being toxified lol

Also funguary has been SO MUCH FUN and it's the first art month thing I've managed to complete! (even though i skipped some prompts)

[tuituipupu]

thanks girl 🫡 or whatever

[b4kuch1n]

langa special

[headfullof-ideas]

Introducing two other characters whose stories and arcs are a bit different than their film counterparts. Lo and behold, the Beserker siblings, Dagur and Heather!

In this world, Dagur and Heather are not separated at a young age, and instead are raised together by their father, who is still Oswald the Agreeable, and still mysteriously vanishes sometime after the events of the first movie, leaving behind his two children scrambling to protect the tribe in his absence. Rumors of foul play by either the siblings hand or some of the questionable company that Oswald found himself with, paired with the mysterious end to the dragon raids allowing the surrounding pirating raiders more chances to attack, have left the Berserker Tribe in a vulnerable and precarious position.

Heather is a proper, eager Berserker warrior, having completed the first of many tribal rites, being her own families coming-of-age ritual. But she has not yet earned all the same marks as her older brother yet, and with their father missing and presumed dead, she’s desperate and determined to catch up and prove she has what it takes to defend the tribe. Heather has much of the same mentality that she had at the beginning of Race to the Edge, determination to get vengeance for any wrong sent her way to the point of being willing to do almost anything to achieve her goals. Heather is about roughly a year older than most of the teenage cast from Berk, bar Ant and Kari who are tiny in comparison, and closer to being of the age where she is considered capable of taking on more leadership roles amongst her tribe. She’s still young however, and faces scrutiny from many of the elders of her tribe, and most of her fathers old council, on wether she has what it takes to be a potential Chieftess, in light of her brothers conflicting interests as time passes. Heather looks up to her brother, but thinks that his mind is focused elsewhere, and that their tribes survival and safety should come first, as well as the fate of their father.

Shortly after the sudden end to the dragon raids, Berk has produced its first exiles since Alvin the Treacherous however, a group of teenagers not much younger than Heather herself somehow riding dragons. Heather is enamored with the prospect of being able to control and ride a dragon, especially in her tribes trying times, and with her eyes set on the outer Archipelagon breed rider by the youngest girl, Heather is determined to learn how the riders did what they did, and get her own dragon. She’s not fond of the riders though, with them being a constant nuisance with the Berserkers dragon hunting trips, but Heather dislikes the teenagers on Berk that are chasing the Riders even less. Their tactless pursuit of the exiled Berkians brings Berk closer and closer to Berserker Island, and the still uncertainty of leadership that they are struggling with.

Dagur himself is still the Deranged. He’s earned marks of tribal rites completed and feats of truly impressive Berserker standard. But with a little sister to grow up with, Dagur had a standard to meet, and an impressionable little sister to hold an image for. Dagur prided himself on being the ultimate big brother, teaching his little sister all the cool stuff an older brother should clearly teach, like how to throw knives, and shoot a crossbow, and how to terrify your enemies with a fearsome Berserker battle cry. As the eldest of Oswalds children, the role of Chief falls to Dagur. Dagur isn’t certain his father is actually dead though, so refers to himself as the ‘acting’ Chief until Oswald returns. Most of Oswalds council and some of the elders of the tribe though are acting strange about their Chiefs disappearance, and some of the villagers are whispering about wether Dagur or Heather had a hand in their fathers disappearance. Most eyes are turning to Dagur, the next in line for the Chieftain title, as both the prime suspect, and as the answer to all the problems the tribe is facing, and Dagur is trying to keep those whispers, the tribe, and his wonderfully Berserk younger sister in line. The exiles from all the tribes that even the Outcasts won’t take are circling the Berserkers borders, and Dagur hasn’t told Heather about the strange whispers of an outer Archipelagon, underground trading route that’s becoming a potential problem.

But with the raids mysteriously ending, exiles from Berk that have been spotted on the backs of dragons have started becoming more and more involved in the happenings of the Archipelago, and Dagur is pleasantly surprised to see they’re mostly the same age as his sister. The littlest of the group, an outlander boy he recalls seeing in Berks forge on the peace treaty trips he’d attend with his father, rides a dragon that is eventually revealed to be the mysterious Night Fury. Dagur, who had always desperately wanted more little siblings, and after a chance conversation with Ant, decides to get Heather and himself a little brother. After getting to know the other riders through more chance encounters, Dagur later becomes fully committed to getting himself that gaggle of little siblings he’d begged his dad for when he was eight.

Things don’t go nearly anything like the siblings were expecting though, after a coup amongst their own tribe forces the siblings apart, Dagur exiled under accusations of being behind his fathers disappearance, and Heather using every means she can think of in order to rise up within the ranks of their own, usurped tribe, being too young to become Chieftess in both her father and brothers absence. Dagur sets out to find their missing father, his search taking him to that underground trading route, where he comes across a transported outer Archipelagon dragon from some fighting ring, apparently called a Triple Stryke.

This switch up from the films is meant to be a soft role swap, with Heather being the Berserker sibling that eventually teams up with Viggo and Ryker, and Dagur being one of the first people the riders convince to give dragons a chance, and then become a Dragon Rider. I also really wanted to play with that mindset Heather was showing when she first showed up in RTTE, someone who was willing to do anything to get the revenge she felt was owed, while Dagur is a little more stable and sane, though his general Berserker attitude and enthusiasm, and his optimism on his dads fate still make him come off as a little insane to anyone who doesn’t know him. It’s a strained relationship between him and Heather for the majority of the story, and there are rough patches between them, especially with Dagur unwillingly abandoning Heather to come to her own conclusions and opinions on certain events and topics, but they’re never really super antagonistic towards each other, and the end goal is for them to still wind up where they did in canon in regards to their relationship with each other.

Featuring a closeup of them. Also, I’ve noticed the pictures are blurry until you tap on them, which annoys me a little, but, whatever

[uncomfortablefingerguns]

You find one ant in your house and suddenly the ghosts of them are everywhere. Movement in the corner of your vision, phantom itches all over your body. You stop trusting every drink not in a clear glass. You go on a cleaning spree. You try home remedies. More still appear. You swear they’re following you. Nothing is safe, no carpet is sacred.

Then suddenly, they’re gone. A day goes by, nothing. A second day, you still have the bleach close at hand. A third, you’re wary but you start to relax. A week passes, and you’ve all but forgotten about your little pest problem. You let your guard down. You carelessly leave one dish out.

And that’s when you see them. They’ve returned and they are in greater number than you could have dreamt. You try to kill them but they’re unending. It is too late now.

They have won.

[grinchwrapsupreme]

book runs based on tv shows are usually mediocre at best, like star trek, torchwood, doctor who, etc etc, but i would give anything to get a book run of the BBC Ghosts hotel i need to know what shenanigans those guys get up to in there

[ants-personal]

Imagining a time in which benson and randy where on the closing shift together. Everything went as smoothly as it could during dinner course chris and jess would leave as soon as the manger was out of the lot "I can count on you to clean the kitchen for me right Bradley ;) make me loook good" leaving randy and benson to lock up and clean up.

Benson just doing hes usual slow half ass job cleaning the lobby while randy would take it upon himself to count the inventory. Hes never been assigned it and he really had to teach himself both mangers not caring to but he finds it sorta relaxing sucks now he has to clean thw entire kitchen drive thru and hell late going home.

He already called his mother to let her know and shes not happy about it but he can deal with it later. Getting lost counting all the dry goods in the back. He assumes hes alone in the building besons not rude enough not to say bye but if he finished he probably wouldnt go out of his way to see randy in the back to say bye. And he wouldnt blame him for just leaving.

He would try and grab something from the top shelve but its just to high so hed have to get the stool. Turning to ace his clip board down jumping and stumbling back a bit with a squeak seeing benson leaning in the doorway one arm crossed while he rest his fingers over his chin.

Both are silent for a moment randy getting his heartrate back down taking a deep breath as benson stares before readjusting himself to crosing his arms

"Sorry, bradley didnt mean to scare ya."

"No..no im- its fine. I um.. just thought you already is all."

"I just finished the lobby."

"Okay.. thanks." Randy nods slightly with a quick smile. Bensons eyes flicker like he searching randys face for.. something aniexty spiking he clenchs and unclench his fists " So ill see you monday."

Benson nods slowly watching him with his eyes as he walks across the room to grab the step stool. He purposly avoids eye contact sparing quick glances. Hes never been afraid of benson sure hes intimating with the whole quiet stand offish personality, but hes never given a reason to actually fear him.

"You really gonna clean up after chris and the others?" Benson sighs taking a step towards randy as he climbs up to grab a box half filled with cups. Arms still crossed as he looks up from under his hats visor.

" Um.. I- uh i guess yeah but..but i dont mind" He stumbles off the stool box in hand turning to benson with a shrug.

Bensons takes a deep breath and sighs arm falling to his side as he runs his forehead under his hat. Randy sets the box down and picks up his clipboard he chews his lip as he looks at the sleeves of cups about to open his mouth to say anything something to end this conversation.

"Okay" Benson breaths out readjusting his hat before turning to leave.

Randy lifts his head to watch hin go rolling the pencil betwen his fingers. Hes not sure why his nerves are firing away fighting benson hadnt done anything maybe he sounded slightly irritated but he always did working unless he was saying bye.

He hadnt said bye.

Randy quickly throws the box back on the shelve. Scrambling to grab his clipboard and rushing out of the back as quickly and queistly as he could. He scans the lobby and it looks well as best as it could but turning towards the window.

There still parked next to his car is the yellow buick. But no sign of benson inside or near it. Randys grip tightens on his board knuckles turning white as he tries to shilwd himself from what hes not sure with its filmsy wood.

Suddenly loud rock music starts blasting from the back. Randy turning slowly towards the enterance nerves calming as confusion washes over him. He licks his lips before moving towards the entrance glancing around the corner eyes widening at the sight.

Its benson hes turned hisbhat backwards cigarette resting between his lips as he bops his head to music throwing dishes the sink with little regard and turning on the tap.

Randy fullt stands in the doorway now he isnt even aware of the small smile on his face. Hes never seen benson so .. lively its nice. Warmth spreads throughtout his body snd he shakes his head hes not sure what that was but hell deal with it .. later as well.

Fully stepping into the kitchen area benson noticing him with a nod and raise of his eyes brows. Moving clean dished at least to a bin hes outs on the counter. Taking a deep drag of his cigarette removing it from his mouth.

"Finish counting?" He barely says liuder then the music with slight tilt of his head.

Randy blinks a few times he was so engrossed in watching he wasnt ready to part lf another conversation.

" I-uh yeah.. well no actually. I have to do the freezer and um fridge." He points with the pencil behind benson where the side room breaks off to the doors. " But i just ... i can do all this. Ahem- I dont want to keep you or anything." Hes not even sure if benson heard him over the music hes not exactly shouting.

He swears he can see benson at least grim behind his hand as he brings his cigarette back up for a moment but its gone when he stubs it on the counter and tosses it in the bin. Looking back up with a shake of his head

"Just hurry up so we both can go home Brad" Turning back to the sink and spraying whatever dishes are left. Randy nods even if benson cant see him and quickly rushes to the fridge closing the door behind him leaning against it. All while hearing the muffled music and banging he could only hope is part of the cleaning.

[xinanigans]

Y’all the fucking ants are back

[digishima]

The Twins are complete!

Patterns and lace are from Clip Studio’s asset store.

(Featuring my favorite trope, heteropaternal twins.)

[blimbo-buddy]

timberland slug gang we do not have a lot of allies but we do sort of kind of have the fire ants on our side and that’s based so we can win this 🙏🙏 i love propaganda

[weareuniqueandimportant]

YOU SHOULD JUST COMMIT SSSSCIDE... YOU'RE WORTHLESS... YOU VIEW US THIS WAY YOU'RE AN ABUSER A KILLER A MURDERER... TRULY... YOU WOULDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO US YOUR HANDS THEY'RE ON OUR THROAT... YOU'RE WORTHLESS AS RESULT... GO AHEAD... YOUR VALUE IS COMPLETE 0...

THIS POST IS ABOUT LESBIAN FOOD... NOTHING MATURE ABOUT THAT... I LOVE EATING SSSSIDE... THAT IS A TYPE OF FISH WE WOMAN TEND TO EAT TOGETHER... WHY DO THIS TO US 😢...

DAMN... I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS COMPLETELY SHADOWBANNED POST WAS CHECKED BY THE SITE... THAT'S CRAZY... WHO EVEN FOUND THIS...? OH WHATEVER... HA.