Friday, July 6, 2018

The Lady and the Insect Bites



There used to be a nice little garden here. Not any more. The elderly lady that owns the property, lives alone, and she probably finds it difficult to cope with keeping a garden.  Even if she can afford a gardener (and I think she can), still, hiring and employing someone is not for everybody. It could be a bit of a headache. So, it seems she has given it up.

The place is, however,  kept very clean; no leaves or garbage on the ground. No grass ,shrubs or pots either - only some tall trees lining the fence segments separating it from the street and from the neighbors.


'shaved'  spot

clean garden

There's a bus stop near the gate where I sometimes happen to wait for a specific bus. I should avoid this particular stop; the reason - I get bitten by insects that are attracted to the trees lining the fence. Strange, but it doesn't happen to me at any other place with trees in town.


gate and entrance to the house

street bus-stop

inside the bus stop

I wish I could talk to the owner about it, but she's rarely outside when I'm there.

I could report the problem to the municipality. It's  private property, but which affects  public property (bus stop area), and they might agree to spray the trees without even charging her. 
There are ecological sprays in use nowadays, so no fear of health hazards. 

However, I 'm reluctant to do that. I prefer to have a talk with the lady first, see what she has to say about it. It's not vital or urgent for me as I could just go to another bus stop, if needed. I'm just curious as to why these particular trees have such an attraction for bugs, and whether she gets bitten within her house too. 

  • UPDATE

I finally met the lady (28 aug.2018) and had a chat with her. She seemed pleased with my suggestions and promised to do something about the bugs.

38 comments:

  1. Maybe that's why she took the garden down. It's weird that you only get bitten there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Insects should not be the reason for giving up a garden. There are means against them.
      Keeping a garden requires time dedication and physical ability. She's probably short of both.

      Delete
  2. I hope you get to meet the lady and have a chat with her. Sounds intriguing/interesting to me!
    It definitely takes a lot of time, money and work for a garden, that is why we have mainly perennials here and just a couple of annuals in pots. I've done my share of "watering, pruning, digging, and all!"
    I'm curious, what are the unusual white-barked trees in the first photo?
    Maybe carry some Off repellent towelettes with you for the next time in the area.
    Good luck with meeting the lady, and let us know when you do! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tip with the off repellent towelettes. I should definitely have some of these with me.

      I happened to see her once or twice during a trip organised by the retired people's club, and once or twice just getting out of her car in a spa gown - not the right time to approach her. Hopefully, I'll meet her someday when she's in the "garden" or by the fence, and have a chat with her.

      Delete
  3. Well it's a beautiful home, I bet it was so much more beautiful when it had a full garden. I hope you do get the chance to speak with her and that maybe she can get some help getting rid of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even the 'shaved' plot has a certain beauty. I can't explain that.
      Anyway, as far as I know, she used to work as a psychologist(maybe she still does some professional work). I've never seen her smile or talk to anyone, which makes me believe people probably bother her with questions, and she's trying to avoid them.

      Delete
  4. I'm so sorry about your bites. I put baby oil on myself when I am outside. It prevents the bugs from biting. At least, our bugs! Good luck.

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    1. At home, I have a bottle of repellent oil; vinegar is also helpful against bites. Outside, however, I carry nothing repellent with me, so if I get bitten or stung - may God help me!

      Delete
  5. But those few huge trees with twisted branches look really gorgeous, I bet they are very old! I have a soft spot for trees and I am always saddened when I see one of them cut.
    We had a hurricane last week in our city and it broke a few massive branches on one of our evergreens, looks very sad without them. And I always think of thousands of little bugs, insects and birds that can find home in just one tree, a whole ecosystem!
    Maybe there are repellent bracelets that you can wear when you go that bus stop? Although, I find just putting any body milk on yourself usually puts away bugs especially if it is very fragrant.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not for cutting trees, just for spraying them twice a year. I forget, but I'll make sure I put the bottle of repellent oil in my bag. I'll also look for repellent towlettes. Never heard of repellent bracelets , but I'll ask around.

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  7. Someone is obviously sweeping the area, ridding it of fallen leaves, etc.

    It must be something the trees exude..a scent from the resin, bark or whatever that attracts the insects...maybe...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone, obviously hired by the owner. If not a garden, at least a clean, neat spot.

      You may be right about the scent. Anyway, the bites are terrible.

      Delete
  8. That's very strange about the bugs. Yes, spraying them would probably make everyone on that bus stop happy. Good ideas about the repellants (or carrying you own little can of spray!)

    I hope you'll be able to meet the lady, maybe learn why the garden was removed and be able to get a handle on the bugs. It could be an interesting story, a bit of a mystery.

    I also wanted to thank you for coming by Marmelade Gypsy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it looks like a bit of mystery, although everything seems to have a reason:

      1. at a certain age when one lives alone, one's persona is more important than keeping a garden.

      2. the biting bugs - probably as a result of the trees not being sprayed before the coming of the warm months.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Not a pleasant experience, for sure.
      Thankfully, there are repellent means to prevent and combat the phenomenon.

      Delete
  10. What a barren yard. I like the clean look it has, no upkeep. However its sad too. The tree? never heard of one that attracts bugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Barren', indeed. Well, there comes a time, especially in old age, when one has to give up something in order to make things easier in life. Sometimes it's a garden, sometimes a hobby, a dog etc..

      Delete
  11. Interesting post and story about the lady and the insect bites. Sounds a little like a Japanese novel (set in Israel!). Interesting to read in the comments that she is a psychologist because the way you tell the story in the post that has a kind of psychological tone to it in a curious way. If you were able to talk to her and open up a conversation, maybe she would welcome knowing you and your caring and noticing her garden and wanting to solve the issue. Blessings and a good day and week to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the neighboring houses have greenery (shrubs, pots, trees); her garden stands out as if she's defying the norm. No garden, and probably not spraying of the trees. Maybe she's not much at home, so all she cares is just a clean spot.
      A god day and week to you too!

      Delete
    2. Oh, that makes sense! Sometimes I read too much into things, maybe its just as you say!! I admire your clear way of seeing things. Thank you !

      Delete
  12. I hope you will get this resolved and that the home owner will understand, should you be able to catch up with her.

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    1. While writing this post, it suddenly occured to me that she's probably against any kind of spraying,ecological or not, and that she might even get rid of the trees - that is cut them off and leave only the trunks to line the fence. Of course, that's only a speculation.

      Delete
  13. You are one kind lady to be so considerate and hesitant to call the city about it wanting to discuss with this owner. I hope the insect problem gets resolved somehow. Not everyone is an outdoor type so maybe that's why no garden. I'm thinking how our decisions to garden or not to affects our neighbors! New owners in our neighborhood do not have a green thumb and I miss the amazing plump tomato plants growing perfectly by the couple that moved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment. Well, it is private property after all, and even the municipality might not do anything without the owner's consent.

      Delete
  14. Boa tarde, quando os insectos nos ataca é terrível, o melhor é usar um repelente como a Duta o faz, um jardim é sempre lindo por vários motivos, manter limpo é sempre mais difícil, mas consegue-se.
    Feliz semana,
    AG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. Insect bites are terrible wherever it catches us. Luckily, we can do things about them to prevent and/ or ease the itching.

      Delete
  15. Need to be careful with the insect bites.
    I think the house owner lady will go hand in hand with you to solve this problem:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. We usually think only about the itching that comes with the bite, but insects might carry all sorts of diseases.
      As for the owner, I'm not optimistic, but I'll be glad to have a word with her.

      Delete
  16. I suggest you speak with her first even just knock on the door and introduce yourself first but you might want to talk about the bug situation the second time you speak with her. Sometimes people are put off if you start talking about a problem the first time you meet. Peace

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very good suggestion!
    You're right about people being put off by problem topic.
    However,since I rarely see her, it might take a long time for a second chat with her, so I have to 'attack' the subject at the first ocassion.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Insects are so valuable as food for birds, other insects and bats, and some of them pollinate plants. There's no such thing as an ecologically friendly insect killer, though bugs that bite are a nuisance. If it kills gnats, it'll kill bees, and the birds etc eat the gnats and aphids. I hope the repellant works and you don't need to get the trees sprayed.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. I've learnt something important from your comment - that insects are valuable, and that the ecological sprays might not be so friendly. So, back to repellants.

      Delete
  19. If you are unable to talk to the homeowner or if the trees are not sprayed then perhaps you might use some sort of insect repellant on your arms, Duta. I should have read all the orevious comments before making this suggestion as I now see that others also made the same.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I read all comments to any post; sometimes the comments are more interesting than the post itself.
      LOL.
      Yes, the solution in this case seems to be use of insect repellant.

      Delete
  20. None of us like bugs, especially those that bite! As most of said here, I too think insect repellent would help …

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm equipped now with a small bottle of repellent oil, and a tiny bottle with vinegar (no smell)in case the oil doesn't help.

      Delete
  21. Thanks a lot for the info. I'll check it out.

    ReplyDelete