Bug box

Our bug box had been attached to a post near the garden bench near the three ponds for some years, not attracting that many bugs. Perhaps because there was too much human activity in the vicinity, perhaps because there was too much sun.

So a couple of days ago, I thought to move it further down the garden to a quieter, shadier spot, where, perhaps, it will attract a bit more bug action. Maybe we will learn what sort of bugs are attracted to nesting boxes of this sort.

Now fixed up with a new brass screw, which slots into the back of the box, and I thought it best to take the old steel screw out of the post near the bench. It being possible if not that likely that one could catch something on it. Screwdriver failed to move it, but I then remembered about using Stillsons and Footprints for moving dead screws. I settled for my medium sized Footprint, nearer to hand than the Stillsons, and it did the business, albeit fatally for the head of the screw.

Note remnants of box bush, bottom left, cut down in the wake of last year's plague of box tree caterpillars, also from the far east, where I believe it is a major pest in South Korea, where they are as fond of box bushes as we are. See, for example, references 1 and 2.

Note also remnants of the chicken wire attached to the top of my split chestnut fencing, intended by a former neighbour to keep his wife's dog out of our garden. With split chestnut fencing, which I am otherwise rather keen on in the wilder setting, not serving the purpose. Doesn't stop the movement of foxes either, who if they can't get through, can certainly get over.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/08/caterpillar-control-episode-1.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/08/caterpillar-control-episode-2.html.