Indian Walking Sticks-insect

I've been unaware of the great problem with these insects until this a.m. Following a link on GW, I've learned that they are infesting, spreading through La Jolla, Pt. Loma, Ocean Beach, etc. areas at quite a rate since around 2001. Doing great damage, extremely hard to eradicate (safely, without destroying beneficials as well). Unfortunately they're able to be purchased as 'pets' and then end up outside in the environment running rampant...one female can carry 1,000 eggs. I apparently need to get out more...lol...as I can't believe that I've been unaware of this issue up until now. I've read that they're found as far north as San Luis Obispo and have spread inland. Anyone having problems with these in your areas? Also, if you have children who may have them as 'pets', don't let them escape or turn them loose outside. I've not encountered them here, nor seen evidence of their presence, but want to do more research into whether or not they could have spread into my area. It's also one thing that gardeners may want to know when considering moving into an area. For me, it would be a deciding factor.....

wc, I've never heard of them...can you give us a link, or scientific name?

http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/locke.hp/walk_sticks.htm

Thanks, pigeon. There are a couple of links I'd make, but since I ended up with Internet Explorer 8, I can't copy/post....I'm not liking it, need to figure out how to get my copy/paste back....or rather, grab the son or DH to fix it...lol..
There is a long running thread regarding the fight against the walking sticks over on GW on the Ca forum, under a post regarding California's inspecting of plants, etc. crossing our borders and some who don't think it's necessary...HA!

I'm running IE8, too--I'm not having those issues.

I'm thinking that site misspelled "pets" and it should be "pest"!!

You can copy/paste with IE8?! After everything being reinstalled on my laptop, I soon learned about my 'edit' and the info I'd found online so far had other people relating that it was to do with IE8...more checking needed. I don't have much of a personal relationship with my PC...it's there for research and I just expect it to function, not interested in all of the bells and whistles...and I get very snarky when it doesn't work....and the DS and DH don't like to be around me when I'm like that either...lol...

If I want to paste a link, like the one above, I go to the page (I usually open a second session using the blank tab to the right of the one I'm using). When it's open I go to the URL area at the top, highlight it, click Ctrl-C (shortcut for copy), then go where I want to paste it and click Ctrl-V (shortcut for paste). Works almost every time. I've not had any problems doing that since I got IE8 several months ago......

Heh heh heh...I just posted on another post that I found my problem....solved! I'm so thrilled, this has been really annoying me. My clipboard/clipbook was disabled and my new toolbar for whatever reason wouldn't let me use the 'edit' button, but I learned a new way using the 'page' button..lol...whatever gets me there is okay with me.....I'm totally 'monkey see, monkey do' with computers. Jer says to me, "Aren't you curious about all of the uses?" NO...I just wanted it to do what I want it to do and that's enough...

I agree---I got so frustrated when I got the latest Office, and all the stuff I'd been doing in Excel for years and was really efficient at got MOVED. I kept having to search Help all the time. I don't know who dreams up these "enhancements" at Microsoft, but they sure aren't "real users"!!!

When I really went ballistic was when I was still working and had to share a PC and some 'person' would come along and lose all of my files, or I'd just get used to one system and county would decide to change the program....people really steered clear of me at those times. I'm just too impatient to have to spend the time searching for a new way to do something...I like to be able to do 'something' but have to admit I don't like the learning process...I just want to be able to 'do it'. That's why the guys don't like to try to teach me anything, I get very snarky.

One solution to IE8 - download Google Chrome! I normally use Firefox, but if for some reason it won't work on a site, I go to Chrome.

Glad you posted this, Sherry, I didn't know about it either. Things shouldn't be sold in the first place.

I've wondered about Chrome....is it better and how?

Don't know if it's better, as I haven't used IE for years, being an early convert to Mozilla programs (Firefox, Seamonkey, Thunderbird), which I like.

I do notice that Chrome is very quick - lean and mean - and that you can add things to it (as with Mozilla apps). Also, I just got tired of everything Microsoft! LOL It's my stubborn streak. It keeps me on my toes since DH can't help me with any problems (he's fully entrenched in Microsoft). I also use OpenOffice instead of MS Office. Originally, I think I started switching because I didn't want to pay the MS prices when I retired (all the above are free) and didn't need them.

Thanks for the info (on the bugs and IE8)! I'll have to hold a hunt now, especially on my epiphitic cactus. I've been wonderig what could be making holes in the leaves without leaving slime trails.