Insect SWAT Team

During Taco Tuesday, Rachael, Lisa and I were called by the frantic Joanna to rescue her and the kids from a rather large spider and wasp. Poor Keir was still operating even though it was 8pm…Rachael attacked the spider who got away and escaped into the rafters. Lisa and I attacked the wasp. I was responsible for squashing it.

Spider:


Insect SWAT team + dead wasp:


Today, Joanna asked that I acquire the appropriate materials to kill and preserve a rather large beetle (the size of an orange). So, at the hospital, Lisa and I appropriate gloves, needles, syringes and formaldehyde (or the equivalent of it). I was called upon to carry out the procedure. Armed with a pickle jar and KILL IT (insect spray), I transferred the beetle to the pickle jar, sprayed insecticide in for about three minutes and shut the lid…he was thus smothered. That procedure rendered him nearly catatonic, so I was able to continue the procedure. I loaded the syringe with formol and poked the needle in under the beetle’s exoskeleton. Voila! Joanna now has a preserved beetle.

Beetle procedure: