Squash Bug Trap

Squash Bug Trap & Frost in June - Back to the Homestead

We are moving along. The bean and pea seeds that I replanted in the bare spots of the rows are starting to come back. I took your advice and held off on watering them for a while but nature keeps interfering with my plans (not complaining at all). It's strange how some plants need more water than others. They are greening up a bit but I am still keeping an eye on them.

This video has a kaleidoscope of topics: Frost, Green Beans, Rain, Wind, Squash Bugs, Duckweed and...well...there's got to be a topic or two that I could squeeze in there. We had a big storm come through the area and blew...well...like it blows in Idaho. There sure is no shortage of wind here in the potato state.

You'll see in this video:

1. Wind on the Homestead
2. Duckweed Update
3. Building a Squash Bug Trap
4. Frost in June

I have another experiment that I am going to try. Stink bugs and squash bugs look so much alike to me. I know they share some similarities. According to http://bugguide.net/node/view/182:

The stink bug's classification is as follows:

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Superfamily Pentatomoidea

Family Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)

The squash bug's classification is as follows:

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Superfamily Coreoidea

Family Coreidae (Leaf-footed Bugs)

Subfamily Coreinae

Tribe Coreini

Genus Anasa (Squash Bugs)

They follow the same classification all the way down to the Suborder. They are "True Bugs." Nope, and I don't know if there is a "fake bug" out there. Anyway, it makes sense that they will follow some sort of pattern that are similar. Hopefully they both like a bright light at night.

In this week's video, I demonstrate setting up the squash bug trap. I will check it every day until I start getting some bugs in the trap (or not) and let you know how it turns out on subsequent videos.

Here's a link to the video where I got the idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKc5acECuQk

Lastly, I have a video I uploaded called, "Video Response to Strong Points during SHTF or DHTO - Back to the Homestead." I was tagged in a video and posted my response...



Enjoy!

Worms On The Homestead

Worms On The Homestead
Making a Worm Bin

Part 1:2


This video is part 1 of 2. On the first video, we visit a potato beetle and learn about putting together a worm bin. What can worms do for your homestead? EVERYTHING!

Uses for worms:

1. Castings for the garden
2. Composting table scraps
3. Chicken food
4. Fish food
5. To go fishing with
6. Aerate the garden
7. Gross out others who are squeamish over worms

Here are the supplies you will need for making this worm bin out of a 55 gallon drum

1. 55 gallon drum
2. Natural Aire Filter (Aire is the name of the filter)
3. 2" Round PVC pipe (about a 5 foot section)
4. 2" PVC pipe cap
5. Two 3/4" water hose repair end (the male ends)
6. 2" pipe coupling
7. 2" to 3/4" PVC pipe threaded reducer (threaded on the female 3/4" end
8. 2 or 3 tarp clamps
9. 5 Teflon or plastic bolts and nuts
10. 36" screen
11. 3/4" Drain Hose
12. Water hose cap end

Making a Worm Tower

Part 2:2


Here are the supplies you will need for making a couple of worm towers:

1. 5' section of 4" PVC pipe
2. Two 4" PVC Caps

Yep, that's all you will need.

I didn't put a list of tools on either of the lists. I don't have a wide assortment of tools and don't know your tool situation. You'll make due with what you have. We're homesteaders; we always make due.

Here are so links to some great resources. If you want my opinion; Worms Eat My Garbage is the bible of worm composting: