Ridge Runners Market

Thoughts from the Ridge. . . 

I have been having a lot of anxiety lately about Japanese beetles.  Funny, I don’t recall

caring about them near as much last year as I do this year.  I guess because last year at

this time, I wasn’t a grower or a seller of numerous annuals and hanging baskets.  Nor

was I in the floral business.  However, now that I am, it kind of changes things in a major way!  

 

In any case, this past week, I discovered that the beetles are here!  The picture shows how destructive these nasty little insects can be.  I took to Google to see what I could do to naturally combat them.  I read that one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid diluted with one quart of water could be mixed in a spray bottle and sprayed on the plants and this would ward them off.  Long story short, don’t waste your time!   All this accomplishes is to dry out your blooms!   Rather, mix the solution in a pail.  Pick the beetles off your plants and drown them in the bucket.  This DOES take care of the problem.  

 

Japenese beetles like to congregate in groups so if you see one, there are probably more!  Also, don’t be surprised if you see them “getting it on.”  They are busy making next years beetle crop.  (I’m not making this up.)  I understand that they are most destructive for the next four to six weeks so if you see your plants looking like this pic, you now know what the culprit most likely is and act accordingly. 

 

If any of you have any great remedies, I’d love to hear what has worked for you.

 

By: Denise Kempel