Gwynne, Thanks. I'm sorry too. :( I feel bad that I just couldn't keep up with things and try to keep my sanity so I backed off and that's what happened. My husband says I act like I have to save every Monarch in the world. I do try to save all of them that I can, but then it just gets to be too much. I am convinced now more than ever of the parasite problems that Monarchs face. I think probably almost every one of the caterpillars and pupas that didn't make it had strings hanging down from them. I saw the fly pupa on the bottom of the containers. I'm just now coming to an end of having those problems because I'm strictly bringing in eggs and that's absolutely it. I figure if I see a caterpillar, chances are one of its enemies probably spotted it before I did and already laid eggs on it, so I don't even bother bringing any in. I'm finding less eggs these days than I had been. My biggest day I had this summer was 93 found eggs, but now when I got out it's more like 10-20. So I can tell the season is kind of winding down. I supposed I'll be releasing butterflies a month from now yet or probably even into October (only a few). My biggest release day was 29 butterflies on August 18 (a week ago today). Mostly all of those eclosed in my butterfly cage. I didn't keep track of how many dead caterpillars and pupas I had from when I brought them in as caterpillars when I was getting back into raising them, but I'd guess that it was 30 or so that didn't make it. Of the ones that I collected outside as caterpillars, far more died than what lived. Probably the ones that lived were the founds I found as tiny caterpillars before anything had a chance to find them. The ones in the butterfly cage were collected as eggs. We put 109 caterpillars in the cage; only two didn't make it. So I think that says a lot about how much better their chances are when they're collected as eggs and raised inside. Last year I didn't collect eggs at all. I was a novice and only collected the caterpillars. It's a wonder many of them made it, but I successfully raised 70 Monarch cats. I think I only had about 8 that didn't make it last year. So I think their parasites are a lot worse this year. Yes, I agree with you about the tachinid flies being disgusting. Sorry about your problems that you had before. I guess we probably all go through those things unfortunately, but at least now we know how bad the problem really is. I don't get rid or normal-looking larva, but if I see a pupa that looks funny, I do dispose of it because I know that either it will result in flies or else the butterfly will be deformed when it ecloses. Thanks for all the information. It was really interesting and now I've learned even more. Sherry, I absolutely agree with you about not bringing in caterpillars. If I ever take a break again, like back off from collecting eggs for a week or two each year. I found out from collecting caterpillars outside that very few of them make it. I've been taking my pain pills lately and it's not quite so hard on my back collecting the eggs, but it's still not pain-free. Oh, how I wish I had gotten into this when I was younger, but then again, I had kids, so that took up my time and I wouldn't have had the time to spare. Ha, even now I wonder how I'd do it if I'd get more eggs than I've already been getting. It's time-consuming, no doubt about it. I've been trying to put a bunch in small storage containers thinking maybe that would save time. I'm not sure if it saves that much. There's just no real easy way to do this without putting most of my waking hours into it. I spend more time with the caterpillars than I do my family. Yes, those Tachinid flies are definitely disgusting. If I see any outside when I'm out there, I'll whoop their hairy little butts. :) Btw, I enjoyed reading about them in your blog just as I've loved reading everything else you have on there. You have really good information! How many years have you been raising Monarchs now? Like you, I watch the pupae closely and if any start having a strange look, they get isolated. I have one right now that I'm wondering about. It's not that it doesn't look healthy. It has a nice plump look, but its stripes don't have the usual look. There's a criss-cross type pattern on part of it. I took a few pictures of it and will post them when my daughter gets them off of her camera and onto the computer. I bet that about had your blood boiling to let the Tachinid Fly hatch. ;-) Cathy

for those that do not know how to do compatibility view Why are some webpages blank or incorrectly displayed in Internet Explorer? select compatibility mode for directions. for firefox users that are using adblock plus and easylist (update your list) if you are still having problems you can also use one of the add ons that block scripts like no script or Yesscript, they can help you to easily block certain javascript. NoScript 2.3.5 YesScript 1.9 another option is JavaScript Options 1.2.6 and while you are blocking if you want to go all out and block flash too then this one will do that Flashblock 1.5.15.1

I have a 2008 Dell desktop running Vista with 3 GB memory. It ran great until last year when it too began running slow with multiple script errors and has become unusable with either IE9 or Firefox. The multiple technologies that make web pages run these days (Flash/Java and whatever) plus the ever increasing need for security have...in my opinion...put a huge squeeze on computers with limited memory, especially computers running Windows. No offense, but trying to run Win7 with only 2 GB was already razor thin to begin with. New computers are routinely being offered with 8-12-16 GB for this reason....2-4 just isn't going to get it done any more. I fully expect my new Dell with 12 GB will be pushing the limits of what it can do in about 4 years. A Win7 machine that was sold with 2 GB is probably running the 32-bit version of Windows, and that is also limiting you severely. I have had some luck running the Maxthon Browser on the old Dell. No guarantees, but you don't have much to lose by trying it. If you are stuck using your current setup, you're just going to continue having more problems. A light-weight Linux OS such as Xubuntu might extend the lifespan of this computer if you're willing to give it a go, but I don't recommend such things for the casual Windows user. Whenever you are able, a new Win8.1/10 would probably suit you much better. Here is a link that might be useful: Maxthon

Hi Nicholas, I think you could get better help over on the plumbing forum. But make sure it's from someone who understands that plumbing is different in a manufactured home (the preferred term to "trailer") than in a site built home. Another helpful resource might be mcgarryandmadsen.com. They are home inspectors and have a blog, including numerous entries about manufactured homes (MH), in which they are experts. I'm guessing you are coming to this site because you can't afford a plumber, or because you are an experienced DIY-er. I understand about not having money--believe me!!--I do. And I understand about doing as much DIY as possible. But I highly recommend, if at all possible, to at least have a qualified, licensed plumber who is knowledgeable about MH plumbing, inspect the plumbing under the house and tell you what exactly is wrong. I have a lot of DIY knowledge (but can't do a lot of it anymore due to my disability), but the two things I will never touch are electricity and plumbing. You really need professionals for these. Even if you DIY, you will still need a permit and have the work inspected. If you don't get the work permitted and you ever sell the MH and the home inspector finds unpermitted work (and a good inspector will), you will not be able to sell the home until you get a permit and have the work done right and pass inspection. If they miss it, and you sell the house, if something ever goes wrong and the house floods or something, the new owners can force you to pay for all the damage. I hope this is helpful information. Whatever your situation, I wish you good luck and all the best! If you ever have anymore questions about MHs, please don't hesitate to ask. :-) Sincerely, Debbie