Have a second income now and that is selling worms from my worm bin and compost heaps to fishermen on their way to the Bay. Only make about $20 to $30 bucks on weekends April thru October but it puts beer in my cooler and gas in my boat. Just put the worm bin and a coffee can for the money out in the front yard and they pick there own. Most fishermen are pretty honest. I charge a buck a dozen. Now what you said starts to get me thinking. There is a number of pet stores with big bird departments around here. Will look into the matter. Thanks for the information. edgman/Tom R

Yes, I bought a bunch of lunch bags one time - I've just run out, because I put my seeds I collect in them, too. That's a great idea, however, and I think I'll try that method. Need to remember to get clothespins, too. Much cheaper than buying those bag closures for things like potato chips, etc. I will take care of my babies - found one more egg this morning, so I have 4 now. The BST just keeps on laying eggs, and I'm gonna run out of fennel soon. They will have to switch to Rue very soon. I have plenty of that; plus I have a lot of zizia which they will eat as well. My GST is consuming the lemon leaf I put in it's container, so apparently one day I may have cats on it when it gets larger. I have about 10 BSTs pupating right now. They have been well fed, so they are large chrysalis's. None appear to have gone into early pupation due to a lack of food. I am seeing a lot of dragonflies in the garden this year, too. They are so pretty! I never put my milkweed foliage in water anyway. I just clean it real good, dry it between layers of paper towels, and put it in the container. I have to do it twice a day because the tropical milkweed does not stay fresh very long. Sandy, you're such a big contributor to the forum, too, with all your many, many years of experience. One of my little BB died, but the other one is doing okay. I wonder if it's okay to leave it outside during winter, or should I bring it in, since it's in a pot? Love you all so much - my buddies! Susan

hi we have had several mommaflys laying eggs this week, on monday we had a BST laying eggs on the fennel on our porch, she seemed to take forever to decide just where to put them. and yesterday we had our second monarch of the week laying on the honeyvine. I have had to leave many eggs to fend for them selfs, we will be going to Texas on the 18th and I don't know if the girl that will be watching my house will be able to keep up with feeding all the tineys. michelle

Congrats to you! I've planted two wafer ashes for their two-swallowtail versatility and plan to plant more this fall. I usually let all butterfly eggs hatch on the host plant, also, before bringing them in to raise myself. Here are some late instar giant swallowtail cats that were eating rue - now they're either pupating or have made their chrysalis. The ones on wafer ash are nearly to that point. Sherry