Uh-oh—lubbers in my neighborhood

8 years ago

I was out in my garden today in the gentle rain when I spied a mating pair of lubbers. I have lived in this location for the better part of six years and haven't seen these pests until today. Remembering how prolific they were in my previous residence, I got my gloves on and tried to grab them, and much to my astonishment I caught the pair! Now what? I found a pot with no holes and began to fill it with water, figuring I would drown them. Then I wasn't sure what would happen if I let go, so I actually tore the pair down their middle, after which they sunk to the bottom of the pot.

I claimed victory, but it didn't feel very good to have been so vicious.

Featured Answer

meg_w (9b) Bradenton

8 years ago

If you add a bit of dish soap to the water just plopping them in a container they can't climb out of will do them in.

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Comments (11)

Pea
8 years ago
I saw a lubber the day before yesterday as i watered my potted plants...admired his pretty colors and let him be.
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bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
8 years ago
Damn things got in my GH and tore holes in a couple orchid leaves and my peace lilly.. They didn't live long.
Pea
8 years ago
So everyone enjoys butterflies, goes out of their way to not harm a hungry plant devouring caterpillar because it will turn into a beautiful butterfly. And here we have a pretty colorful lubber the behavior is very similar to the caterpillar why does the lovely lubber get torn asunder and drown and not the butterfly?
sonni1
8 years ago
I often consider that ethical dilemma. Iwill only kill roaches, fire ants and lubbers and rats. roaches and rats because of the disease factor, fire ants because I seem to always step or reach into their nests. Well, unlucky for lubbers, I'm tired of them eating plantings that I've bought and paid for. They seem to avoid all the weeds and most of the native plants. They also will decimate the vegetable garden quickly. I found one the other day that was nearly 4" long. SAme dilemma with our pets. How many chickens and cows are killed to make pet food?
Patty Bee Port St. Lucie Zone 10A
Original Author
8 years ago
>why does the lovely lubber get torn asunder and drown and not the butterfly?

If you have ever seen a plague of lubbers on every surface of your shubbery, perhaps you'd understand. Just discovered this from today's Orlando Sentinal.
shuffles_gw
8 years ago
We used to never have them. Then for the past ten years or so, every year. This year I haven't seen even one. Maybe it was the bait we put out for a couple years. Can't remember the name.
sonni1
8 years ago
Nolo bait?
Patty Bee Port St. Lucie Zone 10A
Original Author
8 years ago
If it's Nolo Grasshopper Bait you're out of luck for another year. Their website says they had a fire and don't expect to be able to ship again until June 2019.
shuffles_gw
8 years ago
Yes, it was Nolo Bait. Too bad it's not available. I think another company has something similar. June of next year will be too late for next year' spring crop.
irma_stpete_10a
8 years ago
The adult grasshopper, mostly yellow with red and black, has long reminded me of a king or jack of playing cards... and I'm in awe that such a fantastical-looking creature comes into my space. So, the lone, possibly elderly, one that hangs out in the creeping fig on my wall, I let be. But when spring comes and a bunch of little black lubbers congregate on a plant, it's out with the soap bucket... sorry, little guys.