pelican: That looks very much like the common garden spider I saw out on the blackberries last week. Presuming you don't pester them to the point they feel the need to bite in self defense they are harmless, but great mosquito catchers. Nevertheless, I too have noticed an unusual number of web building spiders this season and am frankly perplexed as to the reason, because until we started catching the northen edges of the recent tropical storms last week, we have suffered a very dry summer and in exchange for corn crops looking dicey, have been virtually mosquito free. Indeed, we have seen far fewer flying insects in general this year, which does not bode well for the reproductive success of birds that rely on soft foods to feed their hatchlings. So what have all those spiders have been living on all summer, let alone give them the energy to reproduce in such profusion?

Many things that they "could" be including mites or springtails, even one of the arthropod family. But once spread and allowed to dry well most insects will leave. Whether they pose a threat to the plants or not all depends on what they are so if they hang around you'll need to examine closely to narrow down the ID. Odds are - no problems. But as already mention, if the compost was still hot and steaming, then it isn't finished cooking and it isn't ready to plant in. You don't indicate your zone so I hope you still have some time before planting. Treat it like a compost pile for a couple more weeks, turning and letting it sit till it quits cooking before planting in it. Dave

The Term-a-Rid mulch says it lasts longer than most mulch, but I didn't see any claim of a certain amount of time. It was $4.98 a bag at Wal*Mart, the same price as the cedar mulch I probably should've bought. It kills termites by use of boron, which is supposedly safe to use around pets and children. I should have mentioned that the mulched bed is against the concrete-slab *patio*, not the actual house, and the patio extends about 15 feet out from the house. That doesn't count as the "foundation" does it? Gary, I'm in Breckenridge. I've seen "water bugs" (actually Oriental Cockroaches, according to the link below) everywhere from Villanova, PA, to Abilene, TX, usually in gas station restrooms or the like. They're N-A-S-T-Y. Maybe you're in *deep* West Texas, where it's too dry for them? Or maybe you go to nicer gas stations? Seriously, they were in my dorm in PA (where I woke up with a BIG one tangled into my long hair!) and in clean, expensive houses, too, which is what scares me. These railroad ties are very old and the creosote is no longer visible on most of them. They're rotting and there are LOTS of roly-polies and other creatures. I haven't actually seen any termites; just trying to be cautious. And if I saw a centipede, I'd RUN. The more legs something has, the more creeped out I get, plus I've heard they have one heck of a sting. The creosote brings me to another question: could the chemicals which are used in the railroad ties be unsafe to use near veggies & herbs? Is creosote toxic? Barb, you're my hero--I can handle snakes, mice, etc., but to squash a grub with my bare hands--no way. (((shudder))) This girl does NOT do bugs well. In fact, this whole thread is giving me major heebie-jeebies. While I was looking through bug identification websites a few minutes ago, I thought I felt something on my arm and I almost jumped out of my skin! You're right though; the more I garden, the less freaked out I get by them. Here is a link that might be useful: Oriental Roaches, a.k.a.

Shut the drain off. If that doesn't do it, you may need a secondary cover for the drain. Polaris makes them. They sit on top of the drains. If you have VGB compliant drain covers, this can happen. Scott