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Sometimes they hide in plain sight.

By
Real Estate Agent with Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 UT DRE# 6541633-SA00

Sometimes they hide in plain sight.

 

 

Many of nature's creatures have built-in camouflage capabilities that mimic their surroundings, keeping them safe from predators. On the flip side, they can also have devastating effects if left undetected in a home garden.

 

As we both walked through Nerdin Gardens after a few days of seasonal monsoon-like weather, some of the tomato plants leaves and flowers were sheared completely off, leaving sword-like branches reaching toward the sky.

 

Upon closer inspection, at least two dozen Tomato Hookworm Caterpillar's had invaded. My husband and I both agreed that we must be more diligent at this point to ensure our fruits and vegetables grow to fruition.

 

Because we were just reminded that sometimes enemies are known hide in plain sight!

 

Which brings up this very important point: Surround yourself with honest, motivated and positive people who have your best interests at heart, otherwise the results can also be devastating when the truth is revealed.

 

...............................................................

 

 

Buying or selling a home in southern Utah? Call me at 435.632.9374 or contact me at wanda@buynsellutah.com to help because Wanda Can!

 

A portion of every successful real estate transaction goes to Bed 'n' Biscuits to help fund Switchpoint, a local homeless shelter.

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I, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin at Red Rock Real Estate Utah am responsible for my opinions expressed in this blog. Information herein is deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed and may change due to market conditions. Please do not take my pictures or artwork and use them as your own, they are my property and copyrighted.

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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin is a southern Utah REALTOR® assisting buyers and sellers in in the St. George area, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Veyo, Central, Hurricane, Ivins, La Verkin, Leeds, Santa Clara, and Washington real estate markets.
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Red Rock Real Estate
90 E 100 S, St. George, UT 84770

BuynSellUtah.com
Mobile: (435) 632-9374 call or text
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Comments (21)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good afternoon Wanda. Oh what a great point. I have to be careful in my garden as well.

Jul 28, 2018 12:59 PM
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Good afternoon 

Thank you for sharing your information with us 

Have a great day.

07/28/2018

Jul 28, 2018 01:58 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wanda,

What a fun post as well as one with a lot of meaning.  Wishing you a great rest of the weekend. A

Jul 28, 2018 02:49 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Wanda-A gardener's work is never done and the bugs and other garden pests are ready to destroy our work if left unprotected. 

Jul 28, 2018 05:25 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

We were shocked at how this happened in just a few days Sheila Anderson and will be out there tomorrow morning with an eagle eye to remove any that went undetected today. That goes for Squash Bugs as well! Wishing you the best in gardening success.

Jul 28, 2018 06:23 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

You are so welcome Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTACONDOS.COM, hope your day was memorable!

Jul 28, 2018 06:24 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

The birds were well fed today Ron and Alexandra Seigel. We like to take the natural approach to maintaining the garden so we can eat directly from the plant like the pests do!

Jul 28, 2018 06:25 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

It seems like the last few years, we have been challenged by a variety of pests moreso than any other time in 20 years. That is why we need to be more watchful, more often Sharon Lee!

Jul 28, 2018 06:27 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Wanda,

catchy title, great photo and if I am not mistaken I think this caterpillar turns into a beautiful green Luna Moth?

 

Luna Moth

 

Your post has been featured to the group:

EXPRESS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACTIVERAIN

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Jul 28, 2018 07:11 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Wanda - I was quite unprepared the first time I discovered a horn-worm on my tomato plants. They are so well camouflaged that your hand can be upon them before you see them.

Jul 28, 2018 08:47 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Wanda,  thanks for sharing this great post.  It is amazing how well these creatures can hide in plain sight.  

Jul 28, 2018 09:07 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Wanda.

It sure was hiding in plain sight.  I've seen them, but not lately.  Of course, my wife has only one tomato plant and it has given up the ghost 

Jul 29, 2018 02:30 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Wow, I would not have even known that it was there, if you had not of pointed it out.  I like the point you make about the people that we surround ourselves with, it is so very true.

Jul 29, 2018 07:06 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

They are both green caterpillars but the Tomato Hookworm turns into Hummingbird Moth or Sphinx moth (if they survive) Robert Vegas Bob Swetz. Thanks for the feature in EXPRESS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACTIVERAIN, much appreciated!

Jul 29, 2018 08:34 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

OK and thanks for the info Wanda ;o)

Jul 29, 2018 09:27 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Happy Sunday Robert Vegas Bob Swetz and thanks again for the feature!

Jul 29, 2018 09:30 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Not only are they elusive, they also make clicking noises too when picked up to frighten prey Lottie Kendall. It is creepy!

Jul 29, 2018 08:44 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Glad you enjoyed it Bob Crane. Once they decimate a tomato plant, they will even move over to jalapeno and green pepper plants. Their appetites are ravenous!

Jul 29, 2018 08:46 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

The cooler temps with several days of rain allowed the tomato worms to show themselves, thankfully! Glad we were able to save the tomatoes James Dray. Hope your golf game is fun today! 

Jul 29, 2018 08:49 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

This incident taught me to look a little closer - sooner! Nature often coincides with some lessons we can learn from our own experiences Brian England.  

Jul 29, 2018 08:53 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

That may be the best camouflage job of all time and that many could kill the crop.

Jul 29, 2018 01:25 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

I do agree. Went out this morning again and spotted more Joe Pryor. From this point on, we have to inspect every day if we want fresh veggies after all the work put into tilling and planting!

Jul 29, 2018 02:36 PM