Eeek - An Alien!

Discussion in 'Plants and Biodiversity Stumpers' started by Lysichiton, Jul 24, 2011.

  1. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
    I was taking pictures in my yard & this popped into view. What is this alien doing in my flowerbed? Where did it come from? As with many photos of aliens & UFOS, the quality is not the best, funny how that happens.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Solar-powered garden lamp?
     
  3. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
  4. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,789
    Likes Received:
    2,225
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    A radio that's singing to your plants? They use that red thing to select what they want to hear.

    Or how about meter of some sort - gas or water?
     
  5. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Or is it a water timer?
     
  6. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
    No. No. No. It's funny, this thing only appears in the summer & reminds me of some kind of wicked insect....wink, wink, nudge, nudge, this just could be a clue, ya never know.
     
  7. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,776
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Bug zapper?
     
  8. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
    Close.

    Much more specific, please & where would a good Canadian guy get one of these?
     
  9. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,789
    Likes Received:
    2,225
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    You mean the Stinger Ultra 40W Bug Zapper from Canadian Tire?

    Here's an interesting HowStuffWorks article on "How Bug Zappers Work". I didn't even know there were such things. I see that many use ultra-violet light because many insects see ultraviolet light better than visible light, and are more attracted to it, but mosquitos are not attracted to ultra-violet light. Or is this one that emits Octenol?
     
  10. Lysichiton

    Lysichiton Active Member

    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, BC.
    Well, no actually, but pretty darn close. I'll give you the complimentary, but mostly used bottle of Deep Woods that is the prize, wcutler.

    It's a Guardian Pro Mosqito Trap that's a few years old - I looked at the Crappy Tire catalogue & they've changed the look of the plastic hood now. They have also almost doubled the price from when I bought it.

    Why is this in my flowerbed, you ask? We live close to the Fraser River & mosquitos are a problem, some years much worse than others. This works. It burns a small amount of propane which generates CO2 & warms a patch on the surface to blood-heat. These are the things that mosquitos track apparently. A small light mimics the reflection of light in an animal's eyes (I think). The Octenol bar is a bonus & I don't know if it is effective - smells lke unwashed armpits to me. Then there is a small fan that sucks the bugs into a mesh trap where they dessicate. It seems pretty specific to mosquitos when I check it. No instant cure for sure, but it keeps down the population that lurks in our bushes & flowerbeds. I feel a bit guilty about killing so many mosquitos, but the larvicide programme gets most of them before they get to my yard anyway.

    Swallows & tree frogs are scarce round here. I think part of that may be their food source is mostly gone. Too many people who don't like mosquitos, I guess.

    This year? Not too bad. Just don't hang-around down by the high & muddy Fraser without DEET, a hat & cover-up clothes. You can spot the Newbies & out of towners...they're the ones with shorts & T shirts!
     
  11. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    5,987
    Likes Received:
    608
    Location:
    Vancouver BC Canada
    Apparently mosquitoes are attracted to stinky smells: Smelly socks could help fight malaria.
     

Share This Page