Elm in NJ
03-18-2008, 12:16 AM
Over the years, we have had ant farms, silk worms, butterflies, various plants, root vue garden, kits and kits and tried keeping gardens, but I always end up doing something that kills them. Usually, it was overfeeding, overwatering, not enough sunlight, just name it.
So imagine my horror when doing an insect unit with my kids, they see the Insect Lore catalog, and they want to get the Beetle Barn, Praying Mantis and Butterfly Garden again. Now, we tried silkworms , a few years back, not one came out of the cocoon. Yep, they realised what awaited them at my hands. We tried ant farm when my twins were 3 (4 years ago) and the ants decided not to do the anthill for us. No tunnels, nothing! Add to that, the twins opened the jar and a few of the ants escaped. Butterfly garden, 1 out of 5 emerged last year ( we do this every year and that was our best year so far)and I immediately let it loose not wanting to think about its fate in our home. And my dh thinks that if I can manage to kill a cactus, then there is not much hope.
Reluctantly, I placed the orders. The insects arrive three days later. My eldest then informed me that they were going to take care of the insects. As long as I didn't find any crawling around my house, that was fine by me.
Two weeks later:
Butterfly Garden, 5 caterpillars shipped- 5 beautiful Painted Lady flying in the garden. The kids are feeding them sugar water, and oranges. We can't release them since it is to cold outside. My 12 year was really excited a few days ago and reported that 2 were joined together and were mating. One of my twins asked what mating was. I kept my ears open and after a moment's hesitation, my 12 yr old told him that they were married.
Our mealworms are thriving. The kids have been giving them bran and carrots and we have some at the pupa stage. I haven't touched them or looked at them, and they are all doing fine.
Our praying mantis are still in the egg case. It takes about 2 to 6 weeks, I think for them to emerge. The kids are pretty excited and plan on keeping 2 of them.
Even my kids realise that I am a danger to plants and animals. No wonder I hated Biology in school.:D
Elmeryl
So imagine my horror when doing an insect unit with my kids, they see the Insect Lore catalog, and they want to get the Beetle Barn, Praying Mantis and Butterfly Garden again. Now, we tried silkworms , a few years back, not one came out of the cocoon. Yep, they realised what awaited them at my hands. We tried ant farm when my twins were 3 (4 years ago) and the ants decided not to do the anthill for us. No tunnels, nothing! Add to that, the twins opened the jar and a few of the ants escaped. Butterfly garden, 1 out of 5 emerged last year ( we do this every year and that was our best year so far)and I immediately let it loose not wanting to think about its fate in our home. And my dh thinks that if I can manage to kill a cactus, then there is not much hope.
Reluctantly, I placed the orders. The insects arrive three days later. My eldest then informed me that they were going to take care of the insects. As long as I didn't find any crawling around my house, that was fine by me.
Two weeks later:
Butterfly Garden, 5 caterpillars shipped- 5 beautiful Painted Lady flying in the garden. The kids are feeding them sugar water, and oranges. We can't release them since it is to cold outside. My 12 year was really excited a few days ago and reported that 2 were joined together and were mating. One of my twins asked what mating was. I kept my ears open and after a moment's hesitation, my 12 yr old told him that they were married.
Our mealworms are thriving. The kids have been giving them bran and carrots and we have some at the pupa stage. I haven't touched them or looked at them, and they are all doing fine.
Our praying mantis are still in the egg case. It takes about 2 to 6 weeks, I think for them to emerge. The kids are pretty excited and plan on keeping 2 of them.
Even my kids realise that I am a danger to plants and animals. No wonder I hated Biology in school.:D
Elmeryl