The eighth plague: Locusts

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Another post with a country theme - sorry if I'm boring you, but it is the major background for my life.

This isn't so nice.


Last autumn, we had a lot of locusts around - this was alright as there wasn't much for them to eat being the end of the dry season - but unfortunately they laid eggs - lots & lots of eggs. These lay dormant all winter, but with the warmth coming, out they hatched. So this is what we have all over our property:

Lots & lots of baby locusts.
(these are about 5mm max)

Unfortunately it's not just on our property, but all over the area & if they get to the point of flying, it's going to be a massive locust plague that will search & destroy every growing thing in their way - which unfortunately means all the lovely crops that are just starting to give us hope of a decent harvest (ah farming - if it's not one thing it's another!). Thankfully our Rural Lands Protection Boards have been expecting it & have stocked up on chemicals - we've had them out & they've issued us with one bottle of this lovely stuff ("don't get it on you, it stinks', don't let your kids near it', " you must withhold stock for so long....etc.etc.etc."). So now we wait until the locusts are bigger & then we spray & hope that all the neighbours & the council sprays as well ( this is only the second time they've had locusts down here - they're originally from up north - so it's new to everyone).
It's just another wait & see & pray & pray & pray...

9 comments:

Frizzy said...

SOunds like some noisey nights are ahead of you. These things can be soooo loud! Especially if you pitch your tent on top of one and then try to lay down on it to go to sleep. Scared the you know what out of me! Good luck that the chemicals go where they're supposed to and nobody or nothing gets into them that shouldn't.

Mummy McTavish said...

I was frustrated with them eating my veg patch and I wasnt counting on that to make a living. Praying that the spraying all works smoothly and you are locust free in no time! YUCK, locusts!

Kate said...

we'll be praying for you guys xx

SF said...

oh renata, i'll be praying it doesn't hit too hard....
i remember in one of the little house books when the locusts came, it was awful. :( the crunching underfoot and everything.....
keep smiling, i know God will be watching out for you!!

Anonymous said...

my poor baby narnie,
I hope they go away....they are nasty creatures.
I have had Racky in my garden...he's naughty sometimes.
Am praying for you,
luv
Sel

Anonymous said...

Hey Narn,
Oh, I miss you all so much already ;-( . I can't believe that you could get such good pics of the locusts (or should I say 'lookusts'- hehe Zai;-)).We're praying for you all. Can't wait to see you again. Love you lots and lots and lots and lots etc
Nita xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Deanna said...

Oh no Renata....
I can't even imagine that. I guess city life comes pretty easily for me. I will pray for them to go away and not eat all of your crop. Best of luck sweetie.

Anonymous said...

Hi Narn,
Been praying that they get wiped out before they get big enough to do any damage....Your photos are good....lots of love and miss you all heaps.....

Anonymous said...

Eastern Australia is facing a locust plague. It's incredible when it happens.

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