Infestation

I have a small mesquite bush in my yard. Every summer for the past few years, it gets covered-- literally covered-- with Giant Mesquite Bugs. I like the mesquite; I hate the bugs.

I've vacuumed them off with a shop vac. I've sprayed them with nicotine, bug killer, and soapy water. I've netted them, covered the bush in black trash bags, and probably several other things I can't think of at the moment. 

I got the best result from the bug killer (no surprise), but that only resulted in a few hours of fewer bugs, and a thick layer of dead bugs under the bush that has been there 2 years so far. Only a few hours later, there were just as many bugs as before.

So this year, I gave up. I ignore them-- or at most, kick the bush from time to time to set them all abuzz. Just because it is satisfying. Yes, I get covered with the bugs and I always end up transporting a few into the house with me. 

These bugs are like politicians and their legislation. Right now, I'll just have to deal with the infestation. If they get thinned out, they (or more like them) come back again. But, for the most part, I could ignore them if I choose to. I don't have to fight them or try to get rid of them. Not really. They don't actually impact my life much. They are only a problem because (or if) I let them annoy me. If I could choose, though, I'd choose the bugs over the political pests.

-

Please support the Tobbles Project on Patreon