Morning Glories - Japanese Beetles

[masoct3]

Just wondering what people use to keep the Japanese Beetles off the leaves. Apparently, I hear they lay lots of eggs. I have a ton and they are eating the large green leaves.

Thanks,

[Steve Foss]

Here's info on Japanese beetle control (of adult beetles as opposed to grubs under the lawn) from the U of M Extension Service.

Quote:

Insecticide recommendations for adult control

Removing beetles by hand may provide adequate protection for backyards, especially when beetle numbers are low. The presence of beetles on a plant attracts more beetles. Thus, by not allowing beetles to accumulate, plants will be less attractive to other beetles. One of the easiest ways to remove Japanese beetles from small plants is to shake them off into jars filled with soapy water.

With all insecticidal products, foliage and flowers should be thoroughly treated. The application may need to be repeated to prevent reinfestation. Follow label directions and avoid spraying under windy conditions. Never spray when bees are foraging. Be sure the insecticide is registered for use on the plant or crop you intend to spray. If it is a food crop, note the minimum number of days that must be observed between the date of the last application and the date of harvest.

Different chemicals are used on adults when feeding on foliage. Foliar sprays of contact insecticides kill adults and offer immediate knockdown, such as carbaryl, acephate, pyrethrins, and pyrethroids. Examples include pyrethroid products such as cyfluthrin (Tempo, Bayer Advanced Lawn & Garden Multi-Insect Killer), bifenthrin (TalstarOne, Onyx), deltamethrin (Deltagard), lambda cyhalothrin (Scimitar, Spectracide Triazicide), esfenvalerate (Ortho Bug-B-Gon Garden & Landscape Insect Killer) and permethrin (Spectracide Bug Stop Multi-Purpose Insect Control Concentrate and other brands). Both pyrethroids and carbaryl provide around 2 weeks of protection. For adults, repeated applications may be necessary because of the relatively short residual effect of the pesticides. Insecticides that are advertised as organic usually do not kill adults. Formulations with pyrethrins and PBO (piponeryl butoxide) are more effective. Neem products such as Azatrol may provide about 3-4 days deterrence of feeding. Insecticidal soap, extracts of garlic, hot pepper, or orange peels, and companion planting, are generally ineffective (Tables 1 and 2).

Soil-applied imidacloprid is systemic and translocated around the plant and kills adults when feeding on foliage. However, when adults feed on petals of shrub roses rather than the spiny leaves, imidacloprid is not effective. Soil-applied imidacloprid used on linden or basswood trees or any plant visited by bees or beneficial insects, can potentially kill any bees or beneficial insects feeding on the pollen and nectar in the flowers.

[wormdunker]

I have a birch tree that is infested. Last weekend I bought a trap bag. The first day or two about 30 had accumulated. Since the bag has become over half full! the bag is approximately 16" tall. I would say there are easily over 1000 in there.

I am not sure if I am attracting new beetles or actually catching the ones off the Birch. They have made a mess of the Birch and my yard. The tree borders my driveway so I wake up every morning to a new layer of Beetle [PoorWordUsage] on my cars.....Boat is in the garage .

[Steve Foss]

You are almost certainly attracting beetles from outside your yard. That's not necessarily a good thing. Many beetles attracted to scent/pheromone traps don't actually end up in the trap. And they have to eat something.

[PartyWhine]

I spray with a homemade brew of water, canola oil, dish soap and garlic powder.

It keeps em off until it rains hard.

I make 2 qts at a time and use a garden sprayer.

It's a very effective deterent.

1 cup canola oil

4 tsp garlic powder

2 TBLS dish soap

HOT water to top off.

Shake and spray.

[masoct3]

Thanks for the info. I think I am just going to go a more organic route. Going to try the garlic recipe, hopefully that works out. We shall see

[scott b]

Traps will bring them in from miles away.