After the recent rains, these orange bugs washed up all around my pool area. What are they and how do I get rid of them?.
Based on your description, you have “lawn shrimp. ” They are crustaceans and are related to shrimp. Although they like a moist environment, too much water forces them out of their native habitat. When it rains a lot, they run to sidewalks and around pools to get away from the wet ground. They die when they get to these dry spots. Lawn shrimp are good because they eat dead things and live in plant beds and lawns that have been mulched. Consider them a nuisance pest and simply sweep them up when they arrive on your doorstep or sidewalk.
I have a lot of trouble with snakes and squirrels in my garden, and I heard that mothballs can help keep them away. Do you know if this works?.
It turns out that a lot of people put mothballs around their homes to keep different animals away. It may work but its not a legal use of this pesticide. As pesticides, mothballs are controlled by the EPA and are marked to get rid of clothes moths and other fabric pests. This is a pesticide, so the site has to be written on the label. Landscape is not an option.
Mothballs contain high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Mothballs that contain paradichlorobenzene produce a vapor that can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
Large amounts can cause liver injury and is a suspected carcinogen. Those containing naphthalene can also damage the liver and cause a loss of red blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic anemia. Long-term exposure to vapors can also cause cataracts.
Mothballs are to be placed in airtight containers that prevent the fumes from escaping. The fumes can hurt people, pets, and wildlife if they are used in open areas of the house or outside.
Mothballs can contaminate soil and can poison pets or children if accidentally eaten. It is illegal to use mothballs in locations not listed on the label. Information taken from National Pesticide Information Center and Purdue University.
I have seen a plant used as a ground cover that resembles rosemary. Are you familiar with this plant?.
Yes, this plant is a prostrate or creeping rosemary (Rosemary officinalis prostratus). It looks a lot like juniper and makes a great ground cover. Rosemary is one plant that can double as an ornamental and an edible. Both the creeping and upright types of rosemary can handle drought and do best in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Another plus for folks at the beach: They are also salt-tolerant.
The creeping rosemary will spread its roots wherever it touches the ground. You should put it somewhere with a lot of space or clip it often to keep it in place. It also looks great in a container as it has an interesting cascading growth habit. Plants have attractive white, pink or blue flowers, and the foliage is aromatic.
Rosemary is hardy year-round so it can be used fresh in many dishes. Add it to flavor poultry, fish, lamb, beef, tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, eggs, potatoes and other vegetables. If you have never used this herb before, try it with different foods to see what you like best. Creeping rosemary should be available at local nurseries that carry herbs.
I took some of my vegetable plants out because they looked really bad. The roots were twisted and had knots in them. What is this and what should I do?.
Your description indicates your plant roots are infested with root knot nematodes. What if the plants all look bad because of the rain and heat? You might want to pull them all up and try solarizing your soil. Soil solarization helps control weeds, nematodes, diseases and/or insects. It takes at least six weeks of hot weather for this to work, so June or July is the best time to try it.
Begin by preparing the soil through cultivation to loosen soil and break up clods. Then rake the soil to eliminate depressions that will collect water. Cover with a clear polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride tarp that is 1 to 2 mils thick and make sure the soil is wet. The tarp won’t blow up if you pull it tight and bury the edges 5 to 6 inches deep. Leave the tarp in place for four to six weeks. The goal is for the top 6 inches to reach between 110 to 125 degrees.
When you’re ready to plant again, don’t turn the soil over because that could bring the nematodes to the surface. For more information, go to edis. ifas. ufl. edu/in856.
Her job is to teach people about plants and gardening through the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.
Lawn shrimp, also known as land shrimp or grass shrimp, are a type of small crustacean that sometimes appears in lawns and gardens Their sudden presence often takes homeowners by surprise and leads to questions about what they are and whether they are safe to eat In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about lawn shrimp edibility.
What Are Lawn Shrimp?
Lawn shrimp are a species of amphipod, a type of small crustacean distantly related to shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. There are over 9,900 species of amphipods, and most live in water. However, lawn shrimp belong to a group of amphipods called land hoppers that have adapted to live on land in damp environments.
Lawn shrimp are quite small, around 0.8 inches in length at their largest. They have long antennae, a flattened body, and eight pairs of legs – two pairs adapted for jumping and three for swimming. Their bodies are a pale brownish color in life, similar to cooked shrimp.
Where Do They Come From?
Lawn shrimp are native to Australia but have spread to other warm, humid parts of the world They were introduced to California in 1918 and can now be found throughout the southern United States, as well as Central and South America
These shrimp do not survive well in cold climates and need damp conditions to thrive. They prefer to live in leaf litter, compost piles, flower beds, and other moist organic material. During dry periods or heavy rains, they may migrate onto lawns and sidewalks in search of better conditions.
Are Lawn Shrimp Harmful?
Lawn shrimp are completely harmless to people, pets, and plants. They do not transmit diseases, have no venom, and don’t bite or sting. In fact, they are beneficial to gardens because they feed on decaying plant material, helping to break it down into nutritious compost.
Some people dislike the appearance of the shrimp on their lawns or worry about damage, but they pose no threat. At worst, large numbers migrating across lawns and driveways can be a nuisance. They also may clog pool filters if they fall in the water. But in general, they are innocuous.
Can You Eat Lawn Shrimp?
Lawn shrimp are perfectly edible, although they are so small that collecting enough to make a meal would be difficult. Their flavor has been described as mild and vaguely shrimp-like.
Before eating any insect or invertebrate, it’s advisable to cook them first to kill any potential parasites or bacteria. Lawn shrimp can be boiled, sauteed, or roasted and then eaten on their own or incorporated into various dishes.
Some foragers parboil the shrimp, coat them in egg and flour, and then fry them for a crispy snack. Others add them to rice, soup, dough, or eggs. Dried lawn shrimp could also be ground into a powder and used as a protein supplement.
So in terms of edibility, lawn shrimp are suitable for human consumption as long as proper food prep guidelines are followed. But their tiny size means they aren’t an efficient food source.
Nutritional Value
Like other insects and crustaceans, lawn shrimp are high in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Some key nutrients include:
- Protein: 35-60% of their dry weight.
- Healthy fats like omega-3s.
- Iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, copper.
- B vitamins like B12, riboflavin, and niacin.
As mentioned, collecting enough lawn shrimp to make a nutritious meal would be difficult. But they can add an extra nutrition boost and crunch when included in other dishes.
Harvesting Lawn Shrimp
If collecting lawn shrimp to eat, it’s best not to take them directly from chemically treated lawns. Instead, harvest them from organic vegetable gardens, under logs and leaf litter, or areas along woods and streams.
The best times to collect are during spring and autumn migrations when they congregate in large numbers. Turn over logs, leaves, stones, and debris in moist areas and grab the shrimp by hand, using a net, or shaking them into a container.
Store any collected shrimp in a ventilated container in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Rinse and boil them for 2-3 minutes before eating or cooking further.
Cooking Lawn Shrimp
Lawn shrimp need to be cooked thoroughly before eating to kill any potential bacteria or parasites. Boiling, frying, baking, and sauteing all work well.
Some cooking ideas beyond basic boiling include:
- Coat in egg/flour and fry quickly like pop corn shrimp.
- Saute in olive oil with garlic, herbs, and lemon.
- Mix into rice, risotto, or pasta dishes.
- Add to soups and stews for flavor and protein.
- Bake into breads, biscuits, or crackers.
- Powder dried lawn shrimp for supplement shakes.
Experiment with different seasonings and cuisines to find your favorite way to prepare these miniature shrimp. Just be sure to cook them first!
Allergy Concerns
Like shellfish, lawn shrimp can trigger allergic reactions in those with crustacean shellfish allergy syndrome. This is an allergy to proteins found in the flesh of shrimp, lobster, crab, and crayfish.
People with this shellfish allergy should avoid consuming lawn shrimp to prevent a reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, swelling, breathing difficulties, cramping, and anaphylaxis.
If you have food allergies, exercise caution when eating any new insect or seafood for the first time. Discontinue consumption if any adverse reactions occur.
Are They Really Shrimp?
Lawn shrimp belong to the amphipod order of crustaceans while true shrimp belong to the decapod order. So although they look similar, they are not closely related. Lawn shrimp simply get their name from their resemblance to tiny versions of ocean shrimp.
Some key differences:
- Shrimp have 10 legs and lawn shrimp have 16.
- Shrimp are adapted to aquatic life while lawn shrimp live on land.
- Shrimp grow much larger, up to 15 inches long.
- Shrimp live longer, 2-3 years vs. 1 year for lawn shrimp.
So in taxonomic terms, lawn shrimp are not true shrimp. But their name refers more to appearance than biology.
Can Pets Eat Them?
Lawn shrimp are safe for pets like dogs and cats to eat and will not make them sick. In fact, our furry friends probably snack on these tasty crustaceans regularly when outside.
Just be aware the shell pieces could potentially cause digestive upset if consumed in really large quantities. It’s a good idea to limit how many your pet actually eats. The shrimp can also cause mild allergic reactions in pets with shellfish sensitivity.
Safe occasional snacking on a few lawn shrimp should not be an issue for most pets. But consult your vet if you have any concerns about consumption.
What Attracts Lawn Shrimp?
Lawn shrimp need consistently moist, humid environments to survive. Anything that promotes damp conditions will attract them. Some magnets include:
- Leaf litter, mulch beds, compost piles.
- Lawns, fields, and gardens that are frequently watered.
- Flower beds and vegetable gardens with wet soil.
- Areas with abundant shade and plant ground cover.
- Nearby bodies of fresh water like streams or ponds.
- Wet weather like frequent rainfall or high humidity.
- Poor drainage or collection of rainwater.
Reducing moisture in your yard is the best way to discourage lawn shrimp from taking up residence en masse. But their presence is not really a problem anyway in most cases. A few shrimp migrating through is totally normal.
Getting Rid of Lawn Shrimp
Lawn shrimp will quickly perish once their moist habitat dries up. So eliminating damp conditions in your yard is the easiest way to evict them. Here are a few tips:
- Remove piled up leaf litter, mulch, and other decaying matter.
- Limit watering and improve drainage to reduce damp areas.
- Rake up lawn thatch to expose soil.
- Let compost dry out before reapplying.
- Fill in overly shady parts of the yard.
- Cut back dense ground cover plants.
- Check for leaks in irrigation systems.
- Install a dehumidifier to lower moisture.
- Apply diatomaceous earth to dried out areas.
This will encourage the shrimp to move elsewhere in search of better environments. For temporary control, sprinkling diatomaceous earth over migration routes can also dry them out.
In most cases, lawn shrimp warrant no control at all. But the above tips can reduce their activity if they are really bothering you.
Lawn shrimp are a harmless species of land amphipod crustacean frequently found hopping through damp yards and gardens. They pose no threat to people, pets, or plants an
Amphipod Facts: the LAWN SHRIMP Animal Fact Files
Can you eat lawn shrimp?
While some people do eat lawn shrimp, there are potential health risks associated with consuming them. Lawn shrimp feed on decaying organic matter, such as dead leaves and grass clippings, as well as small insects and other invertebrates. Lawn shrimp can help to break down organic matter and aerate the soil, which can improve overall soil health.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
Are lawn shrimp dangerous?
Lawn shrimp look a bit like hopping fleas to the untrained eye, which unfairly gives them a bad name. In reality, they are completely harmless, and you won’t come across them at all if you create damp areas in the garden where they can prosper without having to come out onto your lawn.
What is a lawn shrimp?
Lawn shrimp, scientifically known as Arcitalitrus sylvaticus, belong to the Amphipoda order within the Crustacea class. These crustaceans are close relatives of other amphipods like sand fleas and beach hoppers. Color: Lawn shrimp have a reddish-brown color, which helps them camouflage in natural environments like soil and leaf litter.