mlefree
743 posts
Aug 23, 2016
7:34 PM
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I've heard of this kind of thing happening but couldn't imagine it would ever happen to me. I've removed dead bugs from other people's used harps on more than one occasion. Other stuff like cob webs and dried up whatever is commonplace.
But tonight I was practicing, listening to different versions of the same song on Youtube, trying different key harps. I picked one up that had been lying on my end table and went right for draw 1. Now, I'm not real fastidious about cleaning my harps. In fact, I pretty much adhere to the philosophy espoused by Rick Epping, that dried up spit actually makes harps more airtight. And I do this knowing full well that such detritus can and often does get dislodged and that in the event that happens, the likelihood of having it clog a reed is 50% depending on whether it was a blow or draw that shook it loose. So I often run up a harp when I pick one up, drawing from holes 1-10. If they work after that, I don't fix 'em.
This time I just hit draw 1 authoritatively when a large foreign something hit my inner upper lip. Just as I was thinking, "now ~that~ is one of the larger boogers I've sucked out of one of ~my~ harps," that something... bit me and started wriggling around on my lip!
It was horrible! Shocked the living sh*t right out of me. I immediately grabbed whatever it was and found this large, wriggling, very much alive earwig. I happen to hate earwigs more than I dislike spiders. Like small cockroaches they are insidious, able to squirm through the tiniest of cracks. I didn't even know they could bite. It tasted terrible and I still have a little tingling sensation hours later (prolly psychological). But most of all it stunned me.
I don't recommend it. :(
Michelle
Edit: Apparently male earwigs use their pincers defensively. Funny, I thought I as the one who needed the defense.
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Aug 24, 2016 3:58 AM
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Thievin' Heathen
820 posts
Aug 23, 2016
8:28 PM
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Try to look at it from the earwig's perspective. He'd found a dark cozy condo in a nice neighborhood. He's in there relaxing, listening to some tunes and all the sudden he gets sucked out the front door by a tornado and he's in a fight for his life.
What a way to go. Let's have a moment of silence.
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isaacullah
3221 posts
Aug 23, 2016
9:33 PM
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I just threw up a little in my mouth reading that. You have my sincere sympathy, Michelle! Yuck!
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
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mlefree
744 posts
Aug 24, 2016
4:00 AM
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Theavin', I assure you the insect did not survive ~his~ ordeal.
And thank you for the sympathy, Issac.
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
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Goldbrick
1579 posts
Aug 24, 2016
9:33 AM
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"For protection from predators, the species Doru taeniatum of earwigs can squirt foul-smelling yellow liquid in the form of jets from scent glands on the dorsal side of the third and fourth abdominal segment. It aims the discharges by revolving the abdomen, a maneuver that enables it simultaneously to use its pincers in defense."
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nacoran
9206 posts
Aug 24, 2016
10:48 AM
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Thievin', even worse, he thought it was a quiet neighborhood, and it turns out it was a harmonica nightclub!
Michelle, I don't know if you've ever seen a picture of me. About 95% of the time I have some form of clean shaven head. It's partially a concession to male pattern baldness, but there is another, deeper cause... you see, even when my hair was thinning I still kept my long hair. At one point, if I tipped my head back just a little it would reach down as far as my belt. I knew it was thinning, but I'd had long hair since at least 5th grade.
Then, one day I was taking a nice nap outside in the shade on a nice warm day. I came inside and started doing inside stuff... and then it happened. I ran my hand through my hair and there is was... an EAAAARWIIIG! I went in the bathroom and shaved my head that very moment, right after stomping the earwig into oblivion. He deserved a much worse fate.
If there was a candidate running for office whose entire platform was evacuating the entire human race from the Earth and nuking it from orbit to wipe out the scourge that is earwigs I would vote for them.
Aside from an occasional ant or spider my apartment is usually pretty bug free, but every now and then there is an earwig... usually in the bottom of my toothbrush holder- eeeewwwwwwe.
You have my deepest sympathies.
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Nate
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mlefree
745 posts
Aug 25, 2016
10:04 AM
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You had to tell me that, didn't you, Goldbrick? You know, I did get a little rancid sort of taste now that you mention it. But I snatch that little demon so quick that he didn't deliver much. It did tingle for a while, though. Ugh.
Yeah, Nate, these little buggers do have a knack at getting into the most annoying skinny little places. You have to really stomp on 'em or they'll run off. This one must have been wedged tightly in that comb slot based on the size of him. I guess I'm glad I didn't find him in ~my~ hair. I'd look even more stupid bald.
But, unfortunately, if they're anything like cockroaches they will exist long after the human race is dead and gone. Cockroaches are one of the oldest (still) living species extant. They probably annoyed their temporal companions, the dinosaurs too. They are also nearly totally radio-insensitive (to x-ray, gamma ray, and alpha and beta particle radiation) so they will survive any nuclear holocaust.
Just thought I'd pass a few little comforting ideas in the spirit of Goldbrick's little message. ;^)
And I do appreciate your sympathy. That does help the memory of this unfortunate incident fade.
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Aug 25, 2016 10:10 AM
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TetonJohn
298 posts
Aug 25, 2016
11:54 AM
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Yes, been exactly there -- indeed, terrible taste!! Some defensive excretion I think. Maybe he was hungry for your dried spit!
Condolences to you both.
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Barley Nectar
1252 posts
Aug 25, 2016
12:16 PM
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They are high in protein. Good source of fiber also. Mmmm
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Joe_L
2668 posts
Aug 25, 2016
4:06 PM
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If it gets sucked into your mouth, I guarantee it going to be acting defensively.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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1847
3639 posts
Aug 25, 2016
6:17 PM
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i would suggest a good leather pouch to keep your harp in. keeps those pesky insects at bay.
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mlefree
747 posts
Aug 25, 2016
11:24 PM
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Good idea, 1847! I know just where to get one. And I now have greater incentive to use it than ever.
Nicely played,
Michelle
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
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SuperBee
4031 posts
Aug 26, 2016
3:32 AM
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-and the power of suggestion and impulse buying.. I just bought a silverwing compact 7 case and a double soft case, which I did not expect to do when I opened this thread.
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mlefree
748 posts
Aug 26, 2016
9:15 AM
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That's super, SuperBee.
A pleasant unintended consequence.
Thanks!
Michelle
PS: I think you're gonna like 'em. How about a review after you've put a few miles on 'em? 8^)
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SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
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garry
662 posts
Aug 31, 2016
7:44 PM
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Maybe you could get him attack trained, to guard your harps from thieves.
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