We’ve had SO many spiders in the PNW this year, big spiders, with lots of webs, we are all trying to figure out why? Could it be due to a Trophic Cascade?
Oh, you don’t know what a trophic cascade is?
Well, neither did I, but my daughter, the budding biologist, schooled me the other day: it’s when an animal in a level (or trophic) of the food chain disappears, or reappears and then affects the population of the levels above and below it. So, it seems as if something has happened to one of the species that usually consumes the arachnids around here. Maybe they have decided to eat my favorite Halloween confection “Chocolate covered Tarantulas” instead (and who could blame them, recipe below)?
The irony always amuses me, that as I make the effort to hang these hairy creatures on the front of my house, outside, I’m doing everything I can to get rid of them {kindly} inside.
While the weather allows, I love to keep my doors and windows open to enjoy the fresh, crisp autumn air, but of course, doing so also allows all the creepy crawlies in. Last year I sprayed THIS orange oil based, all natural insect repellent on my window sills and door jams and I think it did stop the pests in their tracks. In addition to repelling, they say it will actually kill a number of these critters (if you spray it on them directly), but it is safe to use around pets, humans and food {and it smells good!}
As I was searching for the product on Amazon this year, I saw something near and dear to my heart, Osage Oranges for sale on Amazon.com touted as an organic, natural repellent to spiders and other insects. You can also buy them directly from Thunder Acres, the 5th generation farm located in south Central Kansas that harvests them for you when they receive your order.
Every fall, I look forward to the time when these oddly appealing orbs drop from a nearby tree so I can display them indoors. I love their bright green color and their refreshing aroma.
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| Hedge Apples {aka Osage Oranges} en mass |
Little did I know, that the scent I love, and consider to be a great natural room freshener, is most unappealing to many insects, what a bonus! They recommend putting them in basements and attics even, the fruits hold up for weeks indoors.
So, how do you like them apples, big guy?
Are you ready for halloween? I just need to find a few more branches on which to drape the rest of this Spanish Moss, my favorite new decoration this year. The tendrils I’ve already hung have made it through some wild wind and rain, becoming even more eerie and elegant with every drop and gust. I love the soft gray color of this organic decor
{and I love the lazy~lady notion that it really doesn’t need to be taken down come November :)}.
I also need to make a batch of what are absolutely the very best Halloween confection EVER, Chocolate Covered Tarantulas . These crunchy, salty, tangy, sweet and chewy mounds are easy to make and impossible to resist. There’s no baking required, just mix up the ingredients, smother them in your favorite melted chocolate and create the spiders of your dreams {the good spider dreams}.
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| How to make these addicting confections
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A little more greenery before I go!
I hope you are enjoying spider season!
Dear Emily you have made Halloween so much fun with your spiders galore!
xoxo,
Karena
The Arts by Karena!!
Emily, sounds like you managed to miss the big storm – I think it sent a lot more creepy crawlies inside, looking for shelter. I never knew about the Osage Oranges as a bug repellent – I'll have to give them a try. I'm just happy to have a husband who will take care of spiders for me and kindly show them the door when they crawl in the house.
Happy almost Halloween! XOXO