Greenhouse casualties

In the warm summer weather, we keep the windows and door of the greenhouse open for ventilation. Otherwise, it gets too hot inside. Naturally, open windows invite insects inside. But it's a trap. They get in, but they can't find their way back out. They fly incessantly against the glass, not able to tell where the open windows are. Eventually they tire and drop to the floor. Dead.

A couple of dead butterflies on the potting bench with an old fork for scale.

Butterflies, in this case, but also bees, dragonflies, mantises, and even a small bird or two get trapped in the greenhouse all summer long. I am able to get the birds out, so they survive, but insects are not as easy to catch and release. I don't really care about most flies, and bees are tricky because they can sting. Dragonflies, especially the big ones, are delicate, but I've had moderate success shooing some of them out.

We also get these critters in the house, since there are no screens to keep them out. I do shoo houseflies out rather than swat them against windows or walls. What a mess that is. It's easier to push them outside than to clean up after smashing them. Birds or bats in the house are less easy to shoo out, but it has to be done. Often it's a two man (and one dog) job.