For some years cutworms (larvae of a moth) infested my bulb house, where they pupated in the deep plunge sand. I think I've finally got rid of them using Bt (Bacillus thuringensis) spray on the most affected plants, particularly the very early-flowering Fritillaria raddeana. This insecticide is used against the larvae of Lepidoptera, particularly on plants in the cabbage family; I don't know whether it harms anything else. I use the iron phosphate type of slug bait in the bulb house as well, but not in the garden. I happen to like snakes, and there were plenty of non-venomous ones where I used to live in the Oregon countryside. I sometimes found them when I pulled up groundcloth, where they were enjoying the moisture and warmth. They were preyed on mainly by large birds such as crows; I once watched a fascinating mid-air struggle between a crow and a small garter snake. My big, heavy-coated dogs didn't try to kill the snakes, but they liked to fall on them and roll, which annoyed the snakes. The distinctive ophidian scent must have been as pleasing to the dogs as a nice fresh pile of manure. The only problem I had with the snakes was that they hunted my goldfish. I once caught one slithering out of a shallow pond with a big goldfish in its mouth. I grabbed the snake, it let go, and the fish, returned to its own habitat, survived. Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA On 8/22/2023 10:05 AM, Robin Hansen via pbs wrote: > Leigh, > > You have an ideal situation; I used to have one similar to yours with similar animals, but living in a town that's close to 150 years old and has been deprived of quite a bit of natural space means we have to do the best we can. > > Illahe Rare Bulbs (Mark Akimoff) is surrounded by houses and what not so long ago used to be country really isn't any more. That goes for a good share of us. > > I doubt very many people use most or any of the pesticides and herbicides found in such variety in stores. For one thing, they're ever more expensive and I've found nearly all the gardeners I know are wary of using a lot of them as they recognize the danger they create for our children, pets and other wildlife, not to mention themselves. Even Clorox bleach for disinfecting is something I no longer use, although if directions are followed to the letter, it's more or less safe. I might use one application of herbicide a year but if I have "bugs", I isolate the infected plants and use soap or similar natural spray. > > That said, the public is bombarded by too many claims of this or that danger from something and when you start digging into the facts behind the claims, you find a single small study, not well run, with the manufacturer or producer or other self-interested party paying for or otherwise involved. Unfortunately not many people take the time to verify the drivel often published as "latest break through" in media. All we can do is try to continue educating ourselves. > > I know from personal observation that snakes like warm, cozy places, under plywood out in the sun or some such structure. They certainly like being able to crawl around my nursery as there are so many places where they can sun themselves and eat enough slugs to be too fat to crawl through the front door. But they sure don't like being surprised when the water hits - good for them I don't water any more than I have to. My mother used to complain about not seeing snakes anymore. She ignored me when I explained that Dad out there mowing the hillside took away their habitat. > > Kathleen's comments on snake habitat (and lizard and skink) are very welcome. I'd like to hear more about making sure we provide some room for the little animals, even if all we have is a small city lot, especially if slugs are great dessert! > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> PBS Forum https://…