Earwigs

Do you know what an Earwig is? I wish I did not. This ugly insect has decided to live on our property for the past four years! The first two summers we tried to get rid of them on our own. We bought spray and granules to try and kill the EARWIG! It did not work. Last summer we called Guardian Pest Solutions, a wonderful thing happened. The tech  came to our home and blasted the earwigs. We were so happy. "No More Earwigs" we danced around the kitchen.

 June 23, 2012...I saw my first earwig in our garden fence...then I saw another...NOOOO they can not be back. Yes, they were. Tons of them. I called Guardian Pest Solutions....the tech came and sprayed and said "this should take care of them"

Yesterday, we found several more nests of Earwigs. This morning I declared WAR on the Earwig. I called Guardian Pest Solutions. When the tech showed up this morning, he said "I am getting my shotgun ready for them this time." He sprayed big time! 

We had to stay in the house for an hour and a half. After the time was done, we went to investigate. Yes, they were dead.

The earwig is so gross, because it gets into things. It likes to hide. When you move something tons of them drop out. Lawn decoration, furniture, toys, flowers and they EAT plants.

Our first summer having them, I picked a pretty bouqute of flowers for a sick friend. I gave them to her with a smile and she set them on the dinning room table. Drop, drop, drop the earwigs stared to come out of the sunflower, tons of them hid in the sunflower area of the flower. YUCK!! I declare war!

Have you had to deal with a PEST? How about earwigs, have you had to deal with earwigs? What did you do to get rid of your pest?


An interesting note, the tech told us that because Northwest Wisconsin is doing well this summer (no drought) it is like the Garden of Eden...all the bugs are leaving and coming to Northwest Wisconsin. A flying bug can travel 50 miles a night using the jet stream!! Wow! Our tech was very busy! I asked him to share a few fun stories about getting rid of pests. :) That was fun...and will be saved for another blog post.

Operation Earwig

Sending out the troops against the Earwig

Calling all good spray to work against the Earwig

 

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

I had fun making this vinaigrette dressing. What I find so cool about vinaigrettes, they defy the laws of nature.


That is because oil and vinegar don't mix. No doubt you've seen this yourself - shake up a bottle of salad dressing and the two parts come together. But set the bottle down and in seconds they start to separate again, until the oil is at the top and all the vinegar is at the bottom. The best we can do is to encourage them to come together for a little while, which they will grudgingly do, provided we shake, stir or otherwise mix them up really well. 


If you remember nothing else about vinaigrettes, remember this: the magic ratio of oil to vinegar is 3 to 1. As long as you know that, you won't need to consult a vinaigrette recipe ever again. Just remember three parts oil to one part vinegar and you'll be all right. If you get them backwards and do three parts vinegar to one part oil, your puckered mouth will ensure you don't make that mistake a second time.

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 small onion, chopped

1 Tbsp soy sauce 

3 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp white sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

In the blender, process ingredients, except olive oil. Puree on high until smooth. Continue pureeing while drizzling olive oil into mixture. Process an additional 1-2 minutes or until thick and well mixed.

Best way to test the flavor of your vinaigrette is to dip a piece of lettuce in, shake off the excess and then take a bite. This will give you a better sense of how your salad will taste than by tasting the vinaigrette "straight".

Have fun, and let me know if you create a fun dressing this summer.

  

Think Quote

Life is a voyage that is homeward bound.

Herman Melville

I am teaming up with Lori at Life, Love, and Laughter with Think Quotes.