This is an addition to my post of this morning (despite the time Blogger says) in response to Cheryl, a good UK friend who asked about Japanese beetles. I went out to try to get rid of some this afternoon and took a few pictures to show her the destruction these creatures cause. There are different suggestions for getting rid of Japanese beetles, but none of them work very well and some are harmful to other insects. The best method is to simply shake them off the leaves into a can of soapy water or other liquid. They can fly, so you have to be quick!
I simply couldn't get a good picture of the rose leaves--my hands must have been shaking in fury--but you can see that they turn the leaves into confetti and destroy the budding roses. There were dozens on this one plant alone.
And for Joyce, who lives just a few miles away, I have to make a big retraction! She was complaining that the beetles attack her hollyhocks, and I smugly replied they didn't bother mine. Wrong!!
When I went to check the hollyhocks, there they were. I don't even want to think about what they were doing here.
You can also see the disgusting trail they leave behind, in addition to destroying the plant. By the way, Joyce, if you are still hanging out clothes on the line, be careful--they like to land on clothes and leave little mementos that are next to impossible to get out!I also saw some beetles on a poison ivy plant I've been trying to get rid of. For obvious reasons, I didn't want to touch the plant, so I left them alone. Who knows--either they'll get rid of the poison ivy for me, or they'll die from the Round-up residue I sprayed on the plant.
Cheryl, and all my UK friends, be thankful you don't have these awful imports!
Rose, you have my deepest sympathy!
ReplyDeleteRose, a good organic way to cut down on your Japanese Beetles is to spread Milky Spore on your garden. I know you have a large lot but it doesn't take much and you apply once every 20 years or so. It seems that the Milky spore reproduces and when the JB's lay their eggs grubs either eat it and die or the milky spore gets them. I swear we don't have near the damage we had a few years ago after spreading the milky spore. I am sorry that I forgot the way it works but if you would be interested in it I am sure information can be found on the net. These are terribly destructive creatures.
ReplyDeleteRose, I have heard that milky spore was effective too. It might work for you, but my understanding is that if you live in town, you'd have to have the whole neighborhood participate, or they would just fly over the fence from the neighbor's yard. they also love well-watered lawns for their eggs and grubs. We don't water, but a lot of the neighbors do. Anyway, I guess I'm just going to pray for a spell of subzero weather this winter, to kill as many grubs as possible.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose....Lisa's comment seems really helpful....they are nasty bugs aren't they. You are right I am glad we don't have them here.
ReplyDeleteI must say I have seen some damage on plants but none as bad as that....
We do have vine weevil and their grubs eat the roots of our plants...consequently the plant dies......I do have them in the garden at the moment....so I am on red alert.....
I do wish you luck with your little horrors....
But they look so pretty! Too bad they're so destructive. Really yuk the way they leave a yukky trail.(how's that for good english grammar!) LOL.
ReplyDeleteHope you can get rid of them - soon.
So I'm commenting on the Japanese beetle addendum, but I loved the tour of what-s-in-bloom that preceded it. If you're driveway is 1/8 of a mile, you must have a bit of property, no? So I think the milky spore would help. I've also had great luck with Bag-a-Bug. I refused to use it for years, until a freind of mine who's a biologist said it was the way to control the pests. We're on 10 acres, and only 1 1/2 is cultivated--I just put them around the permimeter of where we garden, and we decimated the population last year, and I've seen only about 20 this year. You have to change the bags often, which is awful, but it's worth it--
ReplyDeleteUnrelated question--is your yarrow invasive? I bought some a few years ago and it's everywhere . . .
I join you in hating the Japanese beetles. Here in the suburbans, trapping is not a good option, just draws them too close if you put them in your own garden. Now, if I can get the neighbors to trap them, it might be effective for me. I'd even pay for the traps for them!
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens