#mosquito dunks

[ssaa08]

Mosquito Fish

[don-lichterman]

What is Bti? How does it work? Is it safe?

What is Bti? How does it work? Is it safe?

Mosquitoes use standing water to breed, which is why you should make sure there isn’t any standing water on your property. But what if you can’t get rid of the standing water? That’s where Bti becomes useful. If you can’t empty, scrub or cover items that hold water you can use Bti to kill off any mosquito larvae that could be hatching in there. So, what is Bti? Below is information from the EPA…

[hercaprice]

‘   i don’t like to utter his name,  but,  i think of all the things in the world--   upper moon two is a lot like a mosquito!   such a virulent and annoying little pest of a creature.   the grating and irritating sound of his voice is like the high pitched buzzing of a lowly little mosquito.   it’s only purpose serving as feed for other creatures in the world.   ‘

[ichorousisopod]

I wonder if my isopods are doing okay...

[callofdudes]

Happy National Women's Day (yesterday, woops) Celebrated with a platonic story for y/n, Laswell, and Farah.

Readers gender is not specified. This isn't beta read because my eyes really hurt today for some reason.

You had just gotten back from a mission followed by Farah's forces and accompanying assistance of one Alex Keller. After getting back the guys were pretty tuckered out. Price and Simon going for a smoke and Johnny going for a long snooze in his bed. Missions usually left you exhausted.

However, this was the week that Laswell got a much needed break from her work and she wanted to spend it well.

She was sat on the couch, watching you and Simon quietly talk. Farah was cleaning her goggles, frowning over a small scratch in the top corner of the lense.

She could see the stress on Farah's face, and just from your posture she knew you needed a break as well. So when Simon got up to use the bathroom she leaned forward.

"What do you two say we get out of here for a couple days?"

You looked up curiously. "What do you mean?? Get a hotel or something?"

She shook her head. "Camping. My brother has a cabin up in the mountains where his buddies and him go climbing. We could go spend some time out there."

"Would it be quiet?" Farah asks.

"Most likely, it's not a big place. The spot we usually go isn't touristy either."

Farah looks to you. "I've never been camping outside of missions."

"If we can get a place with room for three and not get eaten alive by mosquitoes and the like, then yeah."

Laswell nods. "It's a cabin, so I don't think you'll have to worry too much about mosquitoes. But it'll just be the three of us." Laswell stands, stretching and grabbing her coffee. "We'll head out tomorrow after you're packed."

So the next morning you and Farah brought out your backpacks to Laswell's car. She only had a small vehicle but it was enough to fit all your supplies. Laswell brought her climbing gear, and enough food to last you a week at the cabin.

Once you were all ready to go there was one person you had to say goodbye to.

"Simon it's ok, I'm not going to be gone that long, only a week."

"A week... What am I supposed to do until then??"

"Hangout with the guys, take some time off to relax your feet. Read your book. You'll be ok."

Simon grumbled and looked over at Alex who was staying with them. To Simon's dismay.

You smiled softly, and fixed his sweater hoodie. "Only a week." You wrap your arms around him and he hugged you back, squeezing you for good measure.

Soon enough you packed in and set off on your journey. Farah plugged her phone in and played music from the passenger seat. "Any song requests??"

"Remember that one song you played the other day? With the guitar solo?"

Farah smiled and put the song on, and you jammed away in the backseat. Laswell put her son blocker down and set you off to the nearest coffee shop. Because what's a road trip without coffee?

She took the tray from the man at the drive through window and handed Farah her iced coffee and you your drink. “There you go.”

“Thank you mom.” You smiled and leaned back.

“Of course. Now, it’ll be a bit of a drive.” But you guys were ready for that.

You drove for the rest of the day. As you got closer to the mountains, Farah and you both pointed out a fair bit of wildlife you saw along the roadside.

Farah’s entire day was made by seeing baby ducklings going for a dunk in a small pond with their mom.

Laswell pointed out a few deer on the way, and soon you reached the place. Driving up the road and parking in front of a rather nice little cabin. It was old, with a couple swinging shutters and the frame would need some repainting.

“This is nice.” Farah looked around the grassy area behind the cabin that led up into a large hill. A small fire pit set up around some trees and a stone pathway up to the stairs.

“How did you get this place again??”

“My brother rents it most of the summer for his rock climbing. They come every few weeks.”

“Cool.”

Laswell nods, opening the car door and putting her park pass in the window. She tossed you the keys. “I'll go tell administration we’re here so they don't freak out. You two and get the first pickings.”

You and Farah smiled at each other softly. “Thanks laswell!” You called and grabbed out your stuff. You unlocked the house and you two headed inside. In the small entry way was a couple buckets full of wood and a shelf of paper and some lighters.

A tiny kitchen area and a gas stove. It was a cozy little place. Heading into the next part of the cabin there was a small bench, a cabinet with some games and a bed tucked against the opposite wall.

The back bedroom was separated by a curtain, inside being another two beds.

You and Farah looked at each other. “you can have either, I don't mind.” She said softly.

You were quiet for a moment. “You want the one by the window??”

“I'd like that.” She admitted.

You nodded and tossed your stuff on the bed in the corner, and let Farah have the bed next to the big window looking out at the field.

Laswell came back with a bag of some firewood and her climbing equipment. Taking dibs on the bed in the other room and getting comfy.

After which she promptly started on some dinner because she was starving. Until then you two opened her tray of fruit from the cooler and snacked away.

“So where do you usually go rock climbing, Laswell?” Farah asks.

“We usually go up one of the old trails. There's an open section of land that shows off this huge rock face. It's the perfect climb. I think it'll be easy enough for you two.”

“We’re capable Laswell.” You chuckle. You could smell the food waft through the cabin. She plated up, and came over to set down two plates for you two. You moved over on the bench allowing Laswell to sit down, and you all dug in.

Talking and laughing as the sun starts to go down on the field, the food being quickly devoured. Laswell brought out brownies as dessert.

You gasped softly. “Are those….”

Laswell smiled and ruffled your hair. “She said they're all yours.”

You eagerly popped the lid off and snatched one to dig into. “Oh Farah, you gotta try one. Her wife makes them the best.”

Farah smiled softly and reached in and took one out. “What's in it, Laswell??”

“Hm? I have the recipe list here if you want to look at it.” She took it from her bag and passed it over. Farah read through it before biting in, humming happily. “Oh, oh these are good.” She took another bite.

“Can I just…” She slid the recipe back toward herself and Laswell nodded. “All yours”

Farah tucked it into her pocket and you two devoured the brownies. Laswell’s wife was the best, always asking what sweets you guys would like best and sending Laswell out to work with a box or two for you guys.

Eventually you all headed to bed. You crawled into bed and rolled over, falling asleep.

Farah pulled the blanket over her shoulder, and opened the window to look out at the darkness. The cool breeze on her face.

She sighed softly, and closed it. Flopping down and rolling over again. She looked into the darkness, trying to arrange the blanket to try and get comfy.

When she couldn't, she leaned over and grabbed the flashlight off the nightstand, flicking it on low. She went over to you, standing at the edge of the bed for a bit before poking you.

“Y/n?” She whispered. You mumbled softly and opened your eyes. “Farah?”

“I'm sorry… I can't sleep.” She whispered.

You smiled softly, and rolled onto your back. You pulled the blanket back to allow her in. “Come on.”

She pursed her lips and flicked the light off. But she crawled into the bed. You gave her some more blanket and closed your eyes again. Farah laid next to you, sighing and slowly closing her eyes.

She held out her hand and you linked your pinky with hers. Helping her relax and fall asleep.

The next morning Laswell was up first. She got dressed and needed a coffee. She pushed the curtain to the second room open and smiled softly when she saw you and Farah curled up, pinkies still linked.

You two could sleep in.

She tied up her hair and went to the kitchen to put hot water on the stove and look through the food bag for what to make for breakfast.

The sound of the kettle woke you up, slowly rubbing your eyes and sitting up. Farah felt you stir and also opened her eyes. “Hmm…??”

“It's ok, you can keep resting if you want.” You assure, and crawled out around her. You scratched your stomach and headed out to the main room.

“Well good morning.” Laswell greeted you.

“Mornin…”

“Coffee??”

“Please.” You nodded.

You sat down at the bench, and heard the curtain shift. “I'm gonna change.” Farah gave you the heads up.

Laswell handed you your fresh coffee. “What do you feel for breakfast??”

“Eggs??” You gave her the innocent best child ever look. “Please mom??”

“Tell you what, find the carton in the cooler and I'll see what I can do.”

Farah filled up her water bottle as Laswell made breakfast, checking her phone. She snickered a little from across the table.

Without further incentive you rushed to the cooler and dug around for the eggs, bringing them to her.

She chuckled and saw Farah come out from the back room soon.

“What are you chuckling about?” You teased softly.

Farah turned her phone and showed you a photo of Alex around a corner with a blurry Ghost in the background.

“You think he's dead yet??”

“Knowing Simon and Johnny… maybe.” You snickered.

“Those three are going to kill each other.” She fully smiled briefly before looking down at the accompanying texts.

“Well, he's still alive but accidentally took some of Ghost’s gummy worms it seems.”

You cringed a little. “Ooh… ouch. I'll have to talk with Simon to make sure he didn't hurt Alex too badly.”

You both have a chuckle over it and Laswell brings you your eggs.

And without hesitation you dig in, humming happily to have your stomach full of food and happy.

“How long is the hike to the rock face??”

“Not long. Fifteen minutes at most. And I've got all the gear for you.”

“Awesome.”

“Now that you've got some fiber in you, let's get going.” Laswell fills her water bottle and grabs the bag of equipment.

“I can carry it for you??” You offered, but she shook her head. “I got it.”

You headed out down the road and hiked up the trail into the mountains. Seeing the tall trees and smelling the fresh air. Feeling the gentle breeze on your warm skin.

Laswell led you up and off the main path to a small outcrop. And there it was. A tall rock face up the side of the mountain with clearly outlined passages and handholds from how much it had been traversed.

Laswell secured her hair and handed you your gear. You and Farah got snug and comfy. Laswell set up the ropes and pegs in the ground to hold you three.

Chalking up your hands.

“You ready, princesses??”

“Hey!” You huffed, rushing after Laswell. Farah chuckled under her breath and found a small ledge to slide her hand into. And you three started to climb.

Farah scaled it fairly easily, though it definitely felt easier when under the pressure of a mission.

You found another handhold and pushed your foot up, feeling around until you could find a spot to slot your shoe in. Securing the tie on your belt.

“You doing ok Farah??”

“A little sweaty.” She wrung her wrist out.

“Let's pause for a minute.” You secured your line and tugged it a couple times before taking your hands off the rocks, keeping your feet in place to keep you from spinning.

Farah did the same, wringing out her wrists and wiping her sweaty palms on her hips.

“Need some more powder??”

“Yeah, thanks.”

You grabbed it off your belt and handed it to her, letting her resupply, and you did the same.

“I bet Laswell is already at the top.” You chuckled.

Farah looked around, trying to spot her. “Oh she probably is.”

“Let's catch up then, hey?”

Farah nodded, and you continued to climb until you reached the top.

And as you suspected, Laswell was already at the top. “You're fast.” You pushed yourself up, shaking out her legs, looking back down at where you came from.

“Oh.” You wobbled a little, stepping back. “It's best not to look down for a minute.” Laswell tipped and looked out at the edge of the cliff. The sun showed out from behind the clouds. It casted down over the lake and reflecting off of the water.

Farah took out her phone and got a picture of the view. Motioning you and Laswell to get close.

You wrapped your arm around her, keeping your hand just off her waist as she attempted a simple smile. Catching the moment with you three.

“Now I'm gonna tell Alex about the fun we’re having.” She chuckled, and put her phone away.

“Maybe I could bring Simon here.” You wondered aloud. You threw sat around the cliff on a small blanket, drinking from your water bottles.

“Hey, I just remembered.”

Farah and Laswell looked at you curiously.

“Happy National Women's Day.”

The two smiled. “That is today, isn't it?” Farah said, and Laswell nodded.

“It is. I almost forgot.”

“I mean, we got the Barbie movie.”

Farah smiled. “I got to see it with some of the girls from my group. Their families said I could come with them.” She fidgeted with her water bottle. “We want to go with Miss Farah.” She remembered them saying.

Laswell looked out at the cliff. “I remember dragging John out with my wife and I.”

You snickered. “Uh oh, how did that go??”

“Oh I think he fell asleep.” She snickered. “It's not his typical movie. But hey, he gave a kicker of a review afterward in the car home.”

You looked down at your hands, looking at all the roughness to your hands. Your battered knuckles and the dirt under your fingernails.

“Do you guys ever feel pressured to look or act a certain way??”

A moment of soft silence went by, letting the breeze drift between you three. “Yes. I think it comes with the territory… but even though I have respect, I still feel mentally challenged a lot to prove myself.” Laswell said.

“Like some of the men in my charge can't understand how I could be as smart as them or understand how to handle pressuring situations.”

"But... Recently a lot of the pressures and beauty standards have been pushed by other women. Which, is sad, considering a lot of them think we need all this stuff done to look pretty or be wanted. But it just isn't true."

You nodded. “Yeah…”

Farah sighed softly. “It feels pressuring every day, to have to dress and act a certain way. Follow a certain code or I won't be respected. I had a man tell me I wouldn't ever have a voice if I didn't have a husband to speak for me.”

You frowned, but nodded. Farah fidgeted a little. “But you know what? I did find my voice. And a voice for many other men and women who couldn't speak before.”

She smiles. “And for every bad person I meet, I've met ten more amazing men I know I have in my corner.”

Laswell nods. “I second that.”

You smile more, happily raising your water bottle. “To the women, and all those who support them.”

You clinked your water bottles and took a large sip. “I'm glad I get to spend the week with you guys. I know it's gonna be awesome.”

“We’re going swimming next.” Farah says quickly.

Laswell and you laugh. “Swimming is next on the list then.”

[hell-drabbles]

I personally have a funny thought that Solomon will sometimes change his form into chibi or smaller one while talking/guiding the reader. Almost a guardian angel (heh) or just some random mosquito buzzing in to their ear. Idk where it came from but motivation hit me tonight 🫥

Anytime he's being smarmy or tries to tell you to "be patient with these idiots," you just, grab him like a squeaky toy and slam him into the trashcan.

A small little guide who absolutely doesn't tell you everything there is to know because you have to figure it out yourself, acting like he's your teacher when you never agreed to that. Sure sure, Solomon doesn't have much control over how the situation has played out, he cannot help that he was an extremely loved being, but still! Somebody needs to take on your frustration and since Solomon's within arms reach, may as well.

Solomon does feel like someone with endless patience so being dunk in the garbage can probably won't make him angry.

[tihgnari]

ꕤ 16. a dunk of cold water

tw: cursing / wc: 1.4k

the busy city life on the other side of the café's window is a welcomed scenery. it's a drastic change from the stuffy library you sit in with other students as you burn through hours and hours of studying. not to mention a few exciting things that happened within the past hour, such as a couple breaking up at the table behind you, a rude customer getting kicked out, or ayaka's curious gaze as she asked you a question you certainly did not see coming.

"what have you and yoimiya been up to these days, anyway?" she shrugs, looking elsewhere, as her fingers fidget around the comfortingly warm mug of hot chocolate. "not that i'm jealous… okay, maybe i am, but only because it feels like i'm out of the loop with you these days."

frankly, it was pretty easy to sum everything up—"oh, don't worry bestie, you're not missing much out of my poor old boring life! only that i like your brother and we text often but he doesn't know it's me he's texting, but i'm sad he doesn't even ask questions about our little game anymore and would rather talk about that stupid girl he likes."—but you rather get deposed and kicked out of the university than ever admit that to ayaka.

technically, she only said you can't date ayato so having a teeny tiny crush isn't exactly part of the rules she had set for you.

despite the loophole, guilt weighs heavy in your heart, and you can't find yourself lying to her more than you "already" are.

so, you compromised.

"i think i like someone. the guy i kissed at the kappa sig party? yeah, him. but i don't like that i like him because he's way out of my league and yoimiya heard from other students that he likes someone. you're not exactly out of the loop."

ayaka frowns, looking genuinely sad as she pouts.

"oh no, the one time you finally like someone and this happens? forgive me if i'm wrong but is this the reason why you went out on that friendly date with haru?"

"yeah."

as expected, miss president catches on fast.

it's truly the 8th wonder of the world when someone as awfully clumsy as you managed to keep your growing affection for a certain someone's older brother a secret for so long. it definitely keeps you up at night.

"can i ask what's his name?"

oh fuck.

"his what?"

you nearly shot whipped cream through your nostrils.

ayaka chuckles. "his name, what major is he in, what year he is… oh you know! all the juicy stuff. is he a good kisser?"

yeah, haha no-no to the juicy stuff please, and don't ask me if he's a good kisser he's literally your older brother. ew.

"oh that…" you stutter. "well, funny story i don't… don't actually know his name! i only know that he's from a different university. the night we kissed was really blurry haha. drank and partied too much, you know, so i hardly remember much from it. it's just a tiny crush anyway, you know how exaggerated yoimiya gets. that's really all there is to it!"

your phone vibrates, an incoming call from…

aya-too hot to handle

SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

"so, yn, i was kinda wondering if…"

your hand shoots to grab the tiny menace and cover that offending contact name. too caught up in your panicked state, your palm bangs against the table and alerts nearly everyone within your table's vicinity. heads turning to see what caused the abrupt loud noise—you'll take this humiliation than ayaka finding out the truth.

your bestfriend stops speaking, looking at you with an expression you can't read.

holy shit. is this it? is she gonna find out? is this my death? is 'tis the day the blinding light of a goddess fully embraces me and guides me towards the mysterious afterlife???

"i can—"

"here's a tissue! why did you have to kill the mosquito with your bare hands?! now, look! all it's grimy mosquito blood is on your phone screen!"

hallelujah! god bless, mosquito!

"ah!" you forced out a laugh. "hahaha! right! i was getting annoyed by it, and i was scared it might land on our food."

ayaka promptly agrees and carries on the conversation as you sneakily send a text to ayato, who's impeccable and wonderful timing will be your thirteenth reason.

to: aya-too hot to handle —DONT CALL ME

aya-too hot to handle, replied: —but why :(

you wanted to bang your head against the wall or throw yourself out of the window and run like a mad person down the streets. anything would've been better than this situation and you draw the conclusion that you should have rejected ayaka's offer to go to a café outside campus.

you can already imagine the absolute joy in yoimiya's face as she laughs at you and your misery once you tell her about all the shit that went down.

"oh, ayaka, yn, didn't expect to see you girls here." 

is that god you hear?

ayato stands unfairly handsome despite being in a simple hoodie and some sweatpants, standing next to a girl you clearly have not seen before in your entire life.

"nii-san! what are you doing here?" ayaka asks after shooting the girl a friendly smile. a smile you can't give her no matter how much you force yourself into trying to act normal.

ayato blinks before. "i live around the area, remember? plus, the boys are over at the apartment and i lost at rock paper scissors. so here we are, buying their coffee."

the girl scoffs before laughing as she playfully bumps his shoulders. "if only you didn't try to play mind games with them! seriously, who yells out what they're gonna use in rock paper scissors and actually ends up using it?"

"wait, what?" ayaka laughs together with her.

huh, getting all chummy with the sister-in-law already?

"'yato was trying to mess with itto and say he'll use scissors. so itto used rock but ayato actually ended up using scissors and he lost."

fucking excuse me? "'YATO"?!

"no way?" ayaka says before laughing with the girl.

ayato groans, pulling her away by her hand. "come on, kana. i wanna get back home already and start the movie marathon."

the girl—kana—rolls her eyes before sending ayaka and you one last smile, letting herself be tugged away by ayato to the counter.

"do you think they're together?" ayaka whispers, leaning over the table as if ayato and kana can hear her from way across the room. "i wish they are. they look great together, don't you agree?"

no, they don't. BOOOO.

"dunno," you shrug. "maybe?"

you feel any form of happiness and excitement getting sucked out of your body as you replay the scene of ayato's fingers curling around kana's before pulling her away toward the counter. was she the girl he liked? it's gotta be. she's pretty. someone who just fits into ayato's side so much that when other people see the pair, they immediately go, "omg! they look perfect together! their future kids won the gene pool!" and judging by your oblivious best friend's reaction, your hypothesis is proven true.

you're lying. they do look great together. so great, that you can't even deny it. you've never been in his league, not even an arm's reach—and seeing kana was a reminder. a reminder you weren't ready to see and a dunk of cold water on your already shivering frame.

"well, i hope they're dating so i don't have to worry about nii-san's future anymore. being an heir to an empire's more like a prison than a blessing, if ya ask me."

you wanted her to stop talking but couldn't find the words to. not that you'll be able to explain and get away with why you genuinely wanted her to shut up.

you've been so out of it that you don't notice both your phones have been notifying text message after text message until ayaka's loud exclaim snaps you out of it.

"i can't believe this! and right when it's the day before the show."

"wait, what? huh?"

"hiroto quit the hosting gig last-minute! aren't you reading our group chat right now?!"

LOWKEY » previous : masterlist : next

a kamisato ayato social media au

summary — it was only recently you found out kamisato ayaka was, in fact, not an only child after all! seeing ayato for the first time gave you the severest case of the butterflies but according to ayaka, he’s off limits, especially to you as her most treasured friend. well, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt, right?

🏷 i. @rinrinchin @nejibot @mich-cola @viiolettee @katsumikumo @kaz3yo @starryeyedkoko @xingqiusliegee @selenshinitai @boxdisappeared @lovelyycherries @ferumie @m1kotsu @love6cks @kiyowoir @luvvmeilin @blackberri-jelli @moonlightbqe @kazooms @tricethecharm @lynnforever @kaedear @xiaoisahawtie @crowbird @apotatouwu @xinii @euryrue​ @aequha​ @nuttytani @plinkuro @choco-rei @aixaingela @milesluvrrad @windasteriaa @cherrytomato2 @zannivrs @k4miyato @eishtar @wccycc @ceylestia @sweet-almonds @ayatobro @animewolflover278 @queenaveryrules @veyu002 @ittakestw0totango @ventis-dandelion @adeptusx @x-xxiaos

[turtlesandfrogs]

A basic starter project if you want to start growing your own food but have no money & no experience, assuming you like green onions.

Supplies needed: Dead potted plant from free pile/dumpster/friend or family member, used food container, green onion ends.

Steps:

1. Remove lid from container, it's now your plant pot's saucer

2. Either poke holes very carefully and slowly (not ideal) or slice the corners off with scissors (better)

3. Remove soil from the dead plant's pot, put in container. This one was super heavy in perlite (the white stuff, helps with drainage), so I mixed in another pot that had more organic matter (brown stuff, mostly helps retain moisture, sometimes provides nutrients). Water until water comes out the bottom, then let drain in sink until until it's done. Put pot on lid:

4. Stick the green onions in, deep enough that they can stand up on their own, or until the white part is covered:

5. Stick in window, water when dry, and wait:

Why not just stick them in water?

Because they make the water really smelly.

Just change the water often, then it won't stink.

I will forget, and then it will stink. Plus, I prefer growing in soil.

Why do you prefer soil?

Thanks for asking! I started because growing them in water didn't work well for me. But on top of that, if you regrow in water, eventually their growth will peter out. This is because in addition to water and carbon dioxide, plants need other nutrients. These are stored in the bulbs of green onions, but they will be depleted by growth if the plant can't replace them. Potting soil often has leftover nutrients, and if you've got compost you can also mix that in.

Why not just put fertilizer in the water?

Two reasons. First off, that's a great way to grow algea, unless you make sure the water isn't getting light. Secondly, most cheap, widely available fertilizers are meant to be used for plants that are in soil, so they're not complete (they're missing iron and maybe some other things? It's been a while since i looked it up). So eventually, if you use water and normal ferts, the plant will stop growing. If you have access to hydroponic ferts, those would work, but you also have enough money that you're not the target audience for this post.

I don't trust the potting soil from random plants.

Completely understandable, and probably smart too. In that case, you have a couple other options if you want soil for free. First off, you could look for dead vegetable or other edible plants in pots, and know that those will not have been treated with something that makes them inedible to humans. You can also look for free bags of partially used potting soil in your local buy-nothing/free stuff groups/craigslist/nextdoor/mutual aid groups.

What if I have some money for soil?

Then you can look for potting soil, or make your own (plenty of recipes online for this)

Help! There are tiny flies that look like fruit flies!

Those are probably fungus gnats, and there's plenty of ways to get rid of them. My two favorites are watering a bit less and adding half an inch of sand to the top, making your plants an unsuitable habitat, or getting a mosquito dunk and keeping it in your watering can. Mosquito dunks have Bt, a type of bacteria that kills mosquitos, fungus gnats, and other related insects. There are other types of Bt that go after other types of insect, such as cabbage moths. It's considered an organic treatment.

What about other pests?

I've literally never seen them get other pests indoors.

How much light do they need?

As much as you can give them, probably. If you have a window that gets midday sun, use that. Or a grow light. If they don't get enough light, they'll be floppy and pale, still edible, but not as flavorful.

When can I harvest?

When it wouldn't look silly to harvest them. I generally wait until they're at least a foot tall (30cm). I'll post an update when I do.

Why didn't you just use the dead plant's pot, dumbass?

A) it didn't have a saucer to protect the surface underneath, B) this is a concept post, and often plant pots are too wide to fit in window sills, and C) I didn't like the pot.

Won't it just grow into a bulb?

Nope, green onions are actually usually a different type than bulbing onions. Usually. And they're perennial! I've never had one try forming a bulb, but you can just eat them if yours do.

Can I ask you another question?

Yep! I'll add it to the update.

[bromantically]

if u reblog that defending creatures poll to dunk on mosquitoes ill literally attack u with my hands!!!!!! i love mosquitoes!!!!! theyre literally pollinators!!! theyre cool and awesome and interesting and theyre just as much a part of this earth as u and i!!!!!! just because a creature annoys u doesnt mean theyre less worthy of existing !

[myeyesarebrighter]

Pool update.

There are backyard wetlands which must be respected. Apparently. The neighbors throw mosquito dunks into their wetlands so I’m not sure how some occasional pool runoff would be a problem, but we will follow the rules.

The prior owners also def built a playground and shed in other parts that I’d bet would have been wetlands. But they did so either without permission or at a time when no one gave a fuck.

If I have wetlands, I want it to be a vernal pool filled with salamanders, let’s do this shit.

[strscrossed]

honey

i decided to drabble my way out of a writer's block so i decided to write this. a little birthday present to myself. 🕊️

eremika. 546 words.

-

It was just supposed to be a picnic. That had devolved into them stripping down into their underclothes and jumping right into the stream, playing like they were children again. 

Only, it was more than clear that when the playful splashing and dunking had stopped, they were very obviously not children anymore. 

It was a long time coming. 

And yet, he was still making stuff up. It seemed like he would tell her any lie, give her any excuse just to be close enough to touch. Mikasa wasn’t stupid. Yet, she said nothing. Doesn’t call him out. Rinse and repeat. It was the same dance. 

This had to be his stupidest lie yet. She didn’t call him out on it because she found that she enjoyed being pushed against a tiny boulder with Eren’s lips on the soft flesh between her neck and shoulder. 

“You have honey on you. Here, I got it,” he’d said. The obvious, stupid lie didn’t bother her because…how would honey even get there? 

She’d always been sensitive but nothing compared to the feeling of Eren suckling at her skin. He held her as close as physically possible and soft whimpers escaped from her lips as she felt something hard poking at her stomach. 

“Mmm,” he hummed into her skin and it sent shivers down her spine. 

His mouth felt soft against her skin and she wonders what it would be like to feel it against her own. She was tempted to find out but she didn’t dare move him from the spot. 

She gasped as she felt a little bit of teeth. She was like a peach and he knew it. She only egged him on as her hands clung to his back. She wasn’t sure but she thought she heard something akin to a growl. 

“Sweet,” he mumbled against her and she lets out a sigh. He suckles on the skin for a moment longer, lingering for another second. 

For a second, she thought that he would pull away. She would see his cheeks stained with a familiar red and then they would pretend as if nothing happened. 

Only, that doesn’t happen. Not quite. 

She gasped when she felt his lips trail up her neck and then downwards. He stopped at the top of her left breast and continues to lick and sick in one particular spot. 

She felt him grind against her as he mouth the top of her breast. Once again the teeth drove her insane and she felt like she was going to melt into a puddle in his arms but he held her up.

She’s embarrassed at the way she whined when he pulled away. He had a smile that steadily grew as his eyes trailed the same path across her skin that his mouth had just moments earlier. Oh, she can only imagine. 

“All clean,” he said but his voice strained. 

So, it was going to be like that again, huh? 

But she can see a reddish-purple bruise blooming on top of her breast and she looked up at him, “And how do I explain that?” 

He pulled away and Mikasa mourned the loss of contact. He has that goofy grin on his face. 

“Just tell them it was mosquitoes. It’s a hot day, right?” 

[aliceisathome]

I cannot even with Between Us. I had to watch it in small bites to spin it out - much like a particularly delicious dessert.

Win still feels quite stern but his playfulness is beginning to come through with Team. Also his worry about him. Boun is just incandescent - I have to pause and just look at that face sometimes.

Team's really interesting - he's a brat and sub with Win and quite Dom with others but my poor baby's got Trauma.

Talking of Team, I have no idea why the director decided to have a lingering shot of his lower legs and feet in the shower but at least he's stopped cutting to that bloody floating leaf we had every five minutes in UWMA.

Timing wise we must have just had the purple dumpling feeding episode so we're about to see poor Team being dunked if I remember rightly (and the red thread first kiss between Dean and Pharm happens), so we're running at approx 1 ep for every 1.5 of UMWA at the moment.

Alphabet are still meh - please go away - I don't care about any of you, not even Bee and the new guy* WinTeam and DeanPharm have my entire attention and heart.

Favourite bits - sassy, drunk Team, the snuggly sleeping and Team's whole bit after giving Win a peck on the lips at the end.

*I was completely distracted by this particular actor's massive earlobes. MASSIVE. I thought he was wearing some sort of earbud.

PS I note that Manow was the latest victim to be bitten by a particularly large mosquito. I find it hilarious that, evidently, during UWMA both Team and Manow were pestering and teasing Pharm over Dean while simultaneously having their own secret affairs. Cheeky sods.

[sergeantsporks]

I’ll be honest I kinda wanted belos to use the titan arms to attack Luz and the others

(I don’t care if it would have destroyed entire cities it would have looked awesome)

SWAT the mosquitos. Swat them out of the sky.

Tbh, I DO wonder what his plan was, there. Like, in my head, I'm going "He was just going to stand up and let everyone fall off of the isles, lol," but who knows. Maybe he was going to grab the Archive House and dunk it into the boiling water. Who can say!

[sabakos]

Scientism is also mostly a belief driven by social affiliation, not logic or clear thinking - the fundamental urge is to be sitting with the cool kids at lunch, to be part of the group that has the winning twitter-dunks, few of science's most ardent defenders know much if anything about science, they are usually engineers. An effective way to make these people doubt themselves is to be condescending and refuse to take them seriously in the same way they refuse to take e.g. astrologist and homeopaths seriously. They will almost certainly get angry at you, but then they will also get angry at themselves for getting angry, because they have a core belief that they're the reason and logic guys. And if this happens enough, they'll start to experience self-doubt because they thought associating with the reason and logic guys was going to 1) keep them safe from their emotions and 2) earn them respect. When it becomes clear that neither of these are working out, they'll quietly find some excuse to care about something else instead. Hopefully from there, they will start caring about something harmless like mosquito nets, and not believing in the Great Replacement or entertaining conversion to Orthodox Christianity.

[art-of-manliness]

The Cheapest, Easiest, Most Ridiculously Effective Way to Eradicate Mosquitoes From Your Property

Now that warmer weather has arrived, mosquitos are beginning to show up as well.  I’ve done battle against these detestable bloodsuckers for some years now. Thanks to treating mosquito breeding grounds (i.e., standing water) around my property, I’d significantly reduced the number of mosquitoes bugging us. Then, early last summer, I came across a new weapon in my war on these infernal pests: the mosquito bucket.  Once I put a mosquito bucket on my property, the number of mosquitoes I encountered during the rest of the summer dropped to almost zero. We could enjoy being outside by the pool without getting bit or play pick-up basketball games in the driveway without constantly slapping away mosquitoes. The mosquito bucket is cheap and simple but highly effective. Put one on your property and watch the mosquito population around your home dwindle to near extinction. How to Create a Mosquito Bucket The mosquito bucket is a trap for mosquitoes. To reduce mosquitoes around your property, you must disrupt their breeding ground: standing water.  Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Still, stagnant water provides mosquito larvae with the bacteria and microorganisms they need for food.  You can kill mosquito larvae by placing mosquito dunks in any standing water on your property. Mosquito dunks are cheap and safe and only kill mosquito larvae.  Eliminating and treating mosquito breeding grounds can go a long way in controlling mosquitoes around your home. But it’s not foolproof. Mosquitoes are wily suckers. They can find not-so-obvious places on your property to lay eggs. The bit of water that collects in the depression of a leaf is sufficient for a mosquito to lay its eggs.  With a mosquito bucket, you purposely create a hyper-attractive, but fatal, standing water environment to lure mosquitoes to lay their eggs there.  Creating a mosquito bucket is cheap and easy; here’s how to do it: Get a 5-gallon bucket, fill it halfway with water, add grass, leaves, and other organic matter, and toss in a mosquito dunk.  Place your mosquito bucket near areas where you spend a lot of time outdoors.  That’s it. You’ve now created a weapon of mass mosquito destruction. As the grass and leaves rot in the water, carbon dioxide is released, which attracts mama mosquitoes that are ready to lay eggs. But what the mama mosquitos don’t realize is that you’ve put a mosquito dunk in this incredibly luxe mosquito birthing center. Any mosquito larvae that emerge from the eggs she lays in the mosquito bucket will die an instant and ignominious death.  No new blood-sucking adult mosquitos will emerge from the mosquito bucket. The mosquito bucket destroys the mosquito lineage that would otherwise haunt your property. Every thirty days, add a new mosquito dunk and some fresh grass and leaves to your bucket. One mosquito bucket should cover the average-size house lot in the United States. If you have a larger property, consider adding more mosquito buckets as needed. Help support independent publishing. Make a donation to The Art of Manliness! Thanks for the support! http://dlvr.it/T6KkrT

[bestiesenpai]

To the one person that asked for more swamp witch reader x knight Itadori, have a free kiss on the forehead from me

Tw for attempted drowning

part one

It was painfully hot and humid in the swamp, muggy air swaddling you in its choking hold. Floating down a near still river, the algae on the top stuck to your skin and a few alligators waded nearby.

“He’s here again.” Whispering to no one in particular, you let out a slightly annoyed sigh and came to a gentle stop bumping against a few fallen logs.

Listening carefully, you could hear Itadori’s footsteps squelch in the wet, soggy ground. The higher temperature made him struggle for air and there were a few more mosquitos on him than he’d care to admit, but Itadori had to do this, he had to come back a hero. Someone that finally did the impossible and got you to join the crown.

He felt empty without his sword, something he was definitely going to get back. That sword was special to him, a gift he’d gotten when he had been knighted. It had carried him through many battles, seen so much carnage; it was an extension of himself.

Itadori was on the same path as before, planning to go right back to your cottage in the tree, but it seemed the swamp had other plans for him. The paths before him began to shift and dense foliage grew, making his path less straight forward and forcing him to take twists and turns he was unfamiliar with. It was driving him insane trying to keep his bearings, and when he finally stumbled to a clearing, it was a rivers edge adorned with large albino alligators with their eyes locked right onto his.

“Welcome back, Itadori!” Your voice was a song on the wind and you waved to him from your place in the water. Caught between trying to find something to say and making sure he was safe, Itadori was stunned into silence.

Dunking yourself under the water, you swam up to shore, letting parts of your body peak out from the water as you got closer.

“Why have you returned?” Raising a curious brow, you quirked your head at him.

“You know why.” He bit back. His eyes bounced back between you and the creatures before him, and his hesitation made you laugh.

“Don’t worry about my pets, I just fed them!” Lifting up a hand, you stroked one on the back. “Although, they’re always up for a treat as sweet as you.” Your statement made his already rosy cheeks darker, memory flashing back of your tongue dragging across his forehead.

“So, have you changed your mind? Or will you make it difficult again?” Forcing the conversation to change, he ignored your biting laugh.

“Hmmm…” Pretending to think it over, you came to a stand. Itadori’s gaze dropped down only to immediately tear away from you; had he known you were wearing only a light cotton chemise, he would have given you a much wider birth. The wet fabric clung to your body, outlining every curve and the swell of your breasts. Itadori could feel himself getting hot under the collar and it didn’t get any better when you began to slink towards him.

“I-I- my apologies.” Fully turning his head, he could still see you out of the corner of his eye.

“Y’know Itadori, maybe I could change my mind…” you spoke low, fingertips grazing his arm.

“How so?” He asked, swallowing around a lump. He tried to keep his breathing even but as he inhaled more of the swampy air mixed with a sweet pollen, he couldn’t control himself.

When your fingers turned his head back to face you, he let it happen. He let his eyes drop down and drink you in, allowed himself to indulge in dirty thoughts he didn’t even know were there. You mumbled something about the pollen being a type that leads people to indulge in carnal desires, and Itadori nodded dumbly along with you.

“Will you follow me?” Taking his hand, you didn’t even have to tug and Itadori was following you, walking into the river. The water was a few degrees colder than the air and it gave his bare skin a nice reprieve.

“When did I…” looking down at himself, Itadori realized he was naked. Turning over his shoulder, there his clothes were in a bundle on the ground.

“Don’t worry about that.” And your voice drew him right back in. It was hypnotizing, no doubt your magics doing, but Itadori couldn’t find it in him to care. Somewhere deep and far away in his mind, he was remembering his training: teachings about this pollen and it’s affects in the psyche, how you used any means necessary to get rid of those you don’t want in the swamp -

None of that mattered anymore as he was shoved underwater. Even as his senses kicked in and he began to fight back, he was too deep in the river to touch the bottom. As his mouth filled with disgustingly murky water, his eyes stared at your sickeningly happy face.

Even submerged he could hear your cruel laughter; you enjoyed watching him struggle, hoped that he would stop moving so you'd be free of his persistent visits, feed his body to the alligators and never hear from him again.

Gripping your wrists, Itadori dragged you down with him, body running on autopilot as he pivoted and struggled against you. With his mind clear of the pollens influence, he was able to shove you away and scramble back to shore.

Coughing water up violently, he felt you grab at his ankle and let out a shriek, trying to force him back into the water. Kicking you off of him, Itadori ran to his clothes and began to feverishly dress.

"You wretched creature!" He screamed, feeling water pour out of his ears.

"You're no better yourself!" You screamed back, angrily slapping the surface of the water. You looked no better than Itadori, water logged and outraged. As he began to put his pants on, he turned and threw up water, pained tears springing to his eyes as well.

"I should kill you." He snarled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He kept his eyes focused on you as you came to a stand on the riverbed, water pooling around your knees as you stared at him.

"Kill me?! Me?!" Close to tearing your hair out, you took a few steps toward Itadori. Attempting to speak any further failed you, your words dissolved into frustrated babbles. As Itadori drew a blade from his pile of belongings, you let out a scream.

Putting the force of your magic behind it, Itadori quickly fell to the ground. A light trickle of blood dripped out of his ears, staining his fingers as he clutched his head. Kicking him in the chest, you forced him onto his back and kept your foot on him.

"Since you're so insistent on bothering me-" cutting yourself off, you dug in your pockets and grabbed a wet satchel, pouring some of the light yellow powder inside into your palm, "I'll make sure you never leave this swamp again."

With his ears were ringing terribly, Itadori could just barely make out what you were saying before you blew the powder into his face. Coughing and sputtering, the powder burned before it began to numb his face and the rest of his body.

Itadori tried to speak, tried to beg for his life, but the words refused to form in his mouth. His tongue lolled uselessly and he felt just as he had before, when your snakes had bitten him and he was carried off to the edge of the swamp.

Those same vines wrapped around his body but this time they were dragging him back to your home. You followed slowly, plucking herbs and flowers as you passed and grinding them furiously in your palm.

"Maybe I'll cut your fingers off and then turn you into a frog. Or skin you alive and string you from the palace gates." Your mind was swirling and you let out another scream, scaring a flock of birds into taking flight.

"But first I'll send a message to that infuriating king, remind him how dangerous it is to test me."