Japanese Beetles

[littlebear]

They are devouring the plants on my deck especially the hanging baskets. I put a beetle bag at the back of my property, and it seems to be working fine to draw the beetles away from my flowerbeds but no luck with the beetles on the deck. Any tricks for getting rid of them?

[ktdelsur]

My husband, the green thumb and almost-masters-degree-holding Entomologist, first responded to my question about your beetles with "Ha! Pray!"

He said the best thing is Sevin Dust or Liquid Sevin (dust is less mess than liquid) - you can get it at WalMart or Lowe's, probably Home Depot too.

http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE-1109429reg.jpg

[Photobug]

Yuck, I hate these things. Haven't found any way to prevent them, so I just go pick them off and put them in my bug cup. (just a plastic cup with water and just a drop of dishwashing liquid in it to break the surface tension so they'll sink and drown.) Good Luck!

[littlebear]

Thanks! I'll have to try the Sevin stuff. I'll update if I still have any plants left.

[Chile]

You do know that Beetle Bag/Traps attract more beetles? Usually you can combat them with Sevin but I never use a beetle bag/trap. You end up having more than before.

[vwinkel]

I couldn't find the Sevin stuff! I will have to try Lowes this weekend. I bought some other stuff and sprayed the lawn and plants with it (hooks up to the hose). However, when I looked out this morning I saw one crawling on my basil! :mad:

[solongtogo]

They completely anilated the leaves on my granny smith apple tree ...hopefully the tree won't be toast as well...