I was the first one ready for lunch. Text messages exchanged between coworkers said that each of us had different timelines for our midday break. We all had accounts that, for various reasons, didn’t follow that said timeline.
I grabbed some fast food and headed for my favorite park, a place I found when we couldn’t go into a restaurant and sit down. There is an old train engine, a tank car, and a caboose on display. The railroad tracks grace the south perimeter. There is a gazebo type stage where, I am told, the city holds concerts.
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I take off my hard hat, and unwrap my lunch. I am watching nature at it finest. The starlings are foraging for seeds and the occasional worm. Two squirrels are chasing each other up and down a tree. In the background, near the railroad tracks, I can see a rabbit playing, then nibbling on green blades of grass. None of these animals are concerned about one another.
It’s peaceful, light breeze, about 60 degrees. The aura of it all makes me think that every day we are missing out on happiness. If the animals can play blissfully in a park, why can’t we do the same. Getting along. No conflict. Complimentary of each other. Showing enthusiasm.
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I know, this is a pest control blog, but pests are part of nature. I was trying to focus on some other part of the eco system. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I was still running scenarios in my head about how these larger pest type animals can help me with my “bug be gone” efforts.
Squirrels need protein. When nuts and seeds aren’t available, they will go after insects such as caterpillars, crickets, and butterflies.
Rabbits are herbivores, so their diet is plant based. They could eat unwanted weeds and grasses, thus lessening the chance of insects associated with such vegetation.
Starlings are the ultimate scavengers. The preferred food is centipedes, spiders, moths, and earthworms. The down side is that these birds carry transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), a disease of swine.
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The nature of nature is fascinating. All creatures, including myself, realize that all persons, places, and things, depend on ALL OTHER PERSONS, PLACES, and THINGS. It’s a complete cycle of life every day, just like the pests we are trying to control.
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