Uninvited Guest

So the other night, I am hanging out here with some friends. I walk outside to look for a couple of them, and on my way back I see the BIGGEST most DISGUSTING bug EVER!!! It's like this huge roach looking thing, but it's walking sort of slowly along, and from my vast roach experiences (I lived in New Orleans, dont forget), they don't move very slowly, ever. So I run into the house and start yelling for everyone to come look, while I am trying not to barf b/c the thing turned my stomach. They all go outside and of course, it's gone. I am frantically describing it and imitating it walking along with it's antennae moving around, and they're just laughing at me, thinking I'm exagerating. Suddenly it steps out from behind a friggin boulder or something and everyone screams. Are you ready???

.......scroll down.......

i hope you're not eating


I am warning you!!


------>>>>




OK, these things grow up to 6 inches long!! The one I saw was bigger than a cigarette lighter. AND *gulp* they FLY. Imagine getting hit by one of those while you're riding your bike? Nasty. Check it out:

"Borer Beetle Looks Like Giant Cockroach"

"Newcomers to the Phoenix area are sometimes horrified when they get their first glimpse of a huge bug that, for some, resembles a monstrous cockroach. Yes, this adult bug can be up to six inches long. Even worse--it flies.

It is the Palo Verde Beetle. More specifically, the Palo Verde Root Borer (Derobrachus geminatus). They have long antennae and spiny collars. They come out each July, and are most active in the early evening. The young Palo Verde bugs fed on the roots of distressed trees and shrubs, particularly the Mexican Palo Verde tree. After a few years, they leave the tree roots. You'll be able to see the exit holes around the roots of the tree. It does no good to spray inside the holes after the Palo Verde beetles have already left.

Adult Palo Verde bugs are attracted to light, so turn off outside lights if you don't want them visiting you. They won't try to get into your home, but might end up there if the light attracts them. They don't harm humans, but they do have the ability to bite if they are provoked. The best advice is to leave them alone, or be swift in your own attack."

So it probably like lives outside my door, right? I don't understand why things have to be so much BIGGER in hot places. Why?! What eats these suckers? I will invest in snakes & iguanas to get rid of insects of unusual size!!

Needless to say, I have now locked all my doors & windows and have retreated into air conditioning mode. That thing could open the screen door!