Return to the Woodlands Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
japanese beetles
| | |
Posted by fiddlrs3 NE Illinois (My Page) on Tue, Jul 22, 08 at 14:52
| This is admittedly of the fringe of this forum, but probably an area of common interest for native plant enthusiasts. My showy trefoil, coneflowers, and beebalm, but especially my birch trees, wild plums, and ironwood have been devestated by an unbelievable swarm of japanese beetles.We cannot use our deck, since we have to sweep bodies and beetle poop off of it every 15 minutes, and the area around the deck is inches deep in their stinking rot. The only solutions I have heard are all poison sprays, and what's the use of having host plants for butterflies, finches, hummingbirds, etc., and then using non-specific poisons? On the other hand, I've put a lot of time, money, and care into my natives, and hate to see them devestated and my houses' shade gone from this plague. Please...is there a solution? The birds won't even eat them; I've watched them spit them out! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: japanese beetles
| | |
| It's strange how these things work...we are having a lighter year here in NC so far. But they come in cycles, so I hear, so maybe next year will be a better one for you. Milky spore does work over time, but is only really effective in mass application. But it could help for next year. For now, you could try those pheromone traps. The drawback is that it attracts more beetles to your yard...but at this point, maybe that's not a concern for you. You could hang them in a stand of trees away from your natives, if possible. Then be prepared to change the bags once or more a day. Soapy water in a cup by hand works if you're persistent for some choice plantings; and I've read that chickens do eat JBs if you're interested in that. That's the extent of my help, if it helps at all. You have all my sympathy, and my wishes to share our reprieve as soon as possible. |
RE: japanese beetles
| | |
| I have seen hardly any japanese beetles this year and we are usually hit pretty hard on certain plants. I do the soapy water thing, but it sounds like you have it worse than we ever have! |
RE: japanese beetles
| | |
| Last year the little rascals ate everything in site. This year, I was one step ahead of them. I used this trap...and it is working really well... http://www.thepestdepot.com/jabetrbysa.html |
RE: japanese beetles
| | |
| I did use the bacillus powder shaken on the lawn and have far fewer this year than the last two. Still, being retired, I have time to stroll around and pick the few off. I did let them drop into water in a jar in previous years. Now I just crush them. Not for everyone! I thought the powder was expensive to just drop on the lawn. I also use the obnoxious product called 'Grubex', which, as a pesticide, may do more harm than good. |
|
|
|
|
