sorry lol i was reading vic's and rhizo's discussion on the things she was finding in her soil, cracked me up. it was late and i was a little tired apparently and slap happy :). grrr i am never buying peat again i mixed it with potting soil, cause you know i found it cheap and it doubled the amount i had to pot things in. i can grow things but i sure have a lot to learn about what to pot them up in to really make them grow well. now i am aggravated with myself, i knew i had never had knats in my soil before and that is the only thing that has changed. i was buying the ripped bags of things at walmart for half off and i just put those two together in my big trash can i keep my dirt in. i need to really research different soils and potting mediums and see what my best options are. problem here is i have like 70 some houseplants am i going to have to repot everyone of them? not all of them are in peat but maybe all of them have got infested with these knats. i really need some good help and advice now!

Westelle, the middle image is the invader and it is highly polymorphic, the distinguishing feature in this case is the position of the antenna on the rostrum. Bear in mind that UCR (California's most important agricultural entomological research center), the UCCE, and the county Ag. Commissioner are are already pretty keyed up because the pace of pest introductions has increased dramatically over the last ten years or so. Usually by the time they are called out, there's a severe infestation, not merely an isolated sighting. While this is perhaps understandable in the case of the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter or the Asian Citrus Psyllid (neither one is particularly remarkable in appearance), that isn't always the case. The only reason I inquired about the Billbug was because it was about 3/4" long (which happens to match the typical size of the Diaprepes - a fact I became aware of only after the fact) instead of the more usual 1/4" to 3/8" in length. A lot of people, especially those who aren't gardeners, wouldn't have taken the time to do more than perhaps squash the bug. Ryan

Yes, the pinks are lovely and they are not invasive. Their season is spring. Soon they will go back to sleep in their little bulbs. However....those little yellow ones are another story. They have very deep and spreading roots systems and unless you get it all they will reform. It helps to have loose soil. I make sure I get it all, especially when they are tiny. Much easier! But the worst thing about them is that they form little tiny seed pods that explode and scatter their bounty whenever they are disturbed. Quite amazing to see. Be vigilant and things will get better.

I am not sure why your neighbour hates her FL machine but I have used a front load washer for more than 10 years. Never a problem. You do have to rethink how you wash clothes with them but most of them clean and rinse much better than traditional top loaders. There is a very little bit of water used for washing and some people can't get past that (mentally). Even my new Miele uses less than my previous Frigidaire and it's an adjustment. I'm not a fan of these HE top load machines. Not sure why exactly. FL technology has been around forever in Europe and I just think it's more time tested. I had a Frigidaire pair for 10 years and when the bearings started to go on the washer I bought the Miele W4842 and gas dryer (I've had them a short while). Not in everyone's budget - but just excellent machines - thoroughly enjoying them. I did narrow my search down to Miele and LG. There are some nice LG machines at Lowe's. I spent months reading and researching and if I hadn't purchased the Miele I would have purchased the LG (FWIW). This model was not yet available in Canada but it would have been top of my list. My parents have brand new entry level FL LGs they purchased from Lowe's (after all my mom's years with a top loader). She tells me she is very pleased with her new machines. Good luck! I know how hard these decisions can be. Here is a link that might be useful: LG WM3360