You recall my telling you about the ant problem we had, as well as the enormous cutworms. And I also mentioned that we had purchased compost and left it in the hole we have dug for our future cellar. We deposited it there because we didn't want the wind to blow it away before we could use it.
Well, we had rain - lots of rain... 100mm in the last month, and it continued whilst we were there over the Easter Weekend. Brilliant! And, naturally, the rain filled the compost-filled-cellar hole.
This is the sight which greeted me...
Can you see all the cutworm which have drowned - who knows how many more are below the surface? That's a hectic number of destructive insects! |
As we were doing our regular "on-arrival inspection" of the property RMan noticed what looked like dog-doo in one of the new flowerbeds which I had made on either side of the front steps. On closer inspection we discovered that it was actually owl cast or pellets.
If you look closely you can clearly see the jaw bone of a rodent - mouse or rat I don't know. But I'm loving the existence of this pest controller :) |
I love this eco-friendly pest controller - and in fact, RMan and I had already made a decision that as soon as we could afford it we were going to purchase an owl nesting box, and a bat house :) Knowing that there are owls about, I reckon we had better get one sooner, rather than later...
They (I'm hoping that there are more than one) need to made to feel at home a.s.a.p.
Hi Dani
ReplyDeleteSorry you've been unable to see. It seems to be a tough market everywhere.
And Yay to drowned cutworms!!! I have a skunk that is digging up my whole yard looking for those. It's always something, isn't it?
Sue- Oh, yes it is. Only 9 houses / month have been sold in my area, as opposed to 35 in normal times!
DeleteWonder if badgers also dig up yards - one was spotted by our dam a couple of weeks ago...
In our neighborhood the few houses that are up for sale take about a year+ to sell. One just sold for about 10% less than it would have a few years ago. Buyers market. Frustrating to be sure. It WILL sell eventually Dani. Probably when you least expect it.
ReplyDeleteTanmi - Yup, reckon the 10% discount may sway the sale - at least that is what we're hoping...
DeleteFrom your fingertips to the Man Upstairs ear - please, let it be soon... :)
Wow, putting the compost in that hole certainly was a blessing in disguise. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the sale of your town house...may it be soon.
ReplyDeleteMr H - It was, wasn't it :) Thanks - yes, hopefully :)
DeleteHow great that you have owls! Attracting predatory birds that eat rodents will be a boon for your garden. Sorry about the trial you are going through selling your 'town' home; it must be frustrating.
ReplyDeleteMrs Mac - I, too, am thrilled about the owls :)
DeleteOur town house sale is in the hands of the good Lord - and it will be finalized when the time is right. But the waiting gets to me now and then...
The house market is definitely not great at the moment, but there are always a few Gautengers willing to fork out the bucks for a good coastal property. Holding thumbs for you! The rain on Easter weekend was awesome - glad it drowned some cutworms.
ReplyDeleteGG - No, it's not...! We've had Gautengers and Germans round - interested, but no offers. Thanks :)
DeleteThere are definitely a few owls in the area. We have heard them hooting softly to each other across the fields. One evening I was standing in the dark with John's little dog. An owl came by, swooped down and then either saw me or else realised that Witpoot was not a rabbit, back-pedaled and continued on its way. Owl-houses are definitely a must!
ReplyDeleteTeach - Haven't heard or seen them, but we were told there was badger at our dam :)
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