**↑My cats had been play fighting under my bed, and decided to take a break↑** So I went out to the garden first thing this morning, and discovered that the battle had begun behind my back 
You have probably already heard a number of different people recommend using Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt pest management, in your own backyard garden. But what exactly is it, and how does it work in the garden? Bacillus thuringiensis, shortened to Bt, is a gram-positive bacterium that, during the process of sporulation, produces parasporal crystal proteins having insecticidal activity. These proteins are known as cry toxins.
Simply put, it consists of a spore, which gives it persistence, and a protein crystal within the spore, which is toxic. That toxic protein differs, depending on the subspecies of Bt producing it, yielding a variance of Bt toxic to different insect species (or none at all).
When the bacteria is consumed by certain insects, the toxic crystal is released in the insect’s highly alkaline gut, blocking the system which protects the pest’s stomach from its own digestive juices.
The stomach is penetrated, and the insect dies by poisoning from the stomach contents and the spores themselves. This same mechanism is what makes Bt harmless to birds, fish, and mammals whose acidic gut conditions negate the bacteria’s effect.
Squash Beetle which in this case is infesting my pumpkins
After I got the above loaded, I had to make my way to a VA appointment in Marietta Ga
On my way there, I have passed this ruin so many times I cannot count. I've heard that it was a Leather Tannery, but was destroyed in the "War of Northern Aggresseion" Oakton Leather Tannery
On the way home I was called by an assistant Activities Director about coming to perform once more. I'm trying to get back in touch with her. I also stopped and visited with some friends in Marietta
(!worldmappin 33.92868 lat -84.54654 long d3scr), then came on back here.
"Last Wednesday Walk of June"
by_Jerry E Smith_ ©6/25/2025 All images original or cited
