Ever wonder why they wrap Japanese pine trees in those funny little mats in winter?Arboreal stomach warmer? The tree version of black tie for the holidays? Guess again. They’re actually old-fashioned, super-eco pest control!
It’s diabolically simple. The mats are girded around the trees as winter approaches, wrapped tightly at the bottom and loosely at the top. Insects crawl down from the branches and burrow into the temptingly warm straw mats, congratulating themselves on finding the insect equivalent of the Bahamas. They never suspect that before it’s warm enough to return to wreaking havoc, gardeners will swoop in and toss their cozy little roach motel into the fire, with them inside!
Would you like to be whisked away to Japan, no matter where you are?
“The Samurai’s Octopus is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page…an enchanting, fascinating journey. You’re in for a treat.”
—James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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