Japanese beetles by the gross(est) (Belfast: gardens, eat, yard)

[Coaster]

We never had much trouble with Japanese beetles until last year, when they suddenly descended upon us and demolished our rosa rugosa. They're back again this year and are, if anything, worse than last. We don't have a single blossom on the roses, despite using beetle traps and (forgive me, J.I. Rodale) a sprinkle of Sevin powder. The little buggers are everywhere! Anyone have an surefire Japanese beetle cures?

[bangorme]

Yeah, they are destroying my roses too, but I won't use insecticide as it kills the bees, and probably everything that eats the dead bugs. Plus I've got a well and don't want the crap in my drinking water.

I just shake them into a pail of sudsy water. My roses I cut the buds off and enjoy them inside. Doesn't matter what you do really, they only PREFER roses. They'll eat anything else you own in a pinch.

About the baits/traps, I heard these will bring them in from five miles away. I wouldn't use them if I were you.

[retiredtinbender]

Lord, I hope they're not headed this way. We haven't had them here. Yet!

[Coaster]

Hey, I'm willing to share!

[retiredtinbender]

No thanks. I wouldn't want to impose.

[Zymer]

Not as bad this year as previous years. Slugs and snails have been numerous though.

[birdinmigration]

Oh yeah, we have 'em big time here in coastal York County. I've picked them off the roses, the cherry trees (they ate all the cherries), apple trees, and pulled a couple out of my hair. It's a constant battle with slugs, snails, and when they're done, here come the mosquitos!

[cdodge04]

Interesting. No problems here in Belfast at all! My wifes roses are actually doing better than ever this year.

[MAINEr]

The sweet little fellas came to visit here as well. They have sent out invitatons to all their relatives and they too have decided that my yard makes a great bed and breakfast despite the beautiful water view they could have across the street

This year is also the first year that we have really had slugs too. I put out beer plates for them and they must not have liked ICE beer since we only were able to get about 4 of them. These are not the big brownish ones but small ones that crunch when you squish them. Gross! is about all I can say about them.

For the beeltes, 2 years ago we put out the bait bags and got loads of them, they may have come from miles around but they went right to the bait and died leaving my plants alone.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by bangorme

Yeah, they are destroying my roses too, but I won't use insecticide as it kills the bees, and probably everything that eats the dead bugs. Plus I've got a well and don't want the crap in my drinking water.

I just shake them into a pail of sudsy water. My roses I cut the buds off and enjoy them inside. Doesn't matter what you do really, they only PREFER roses. They'll eat anything else you own in a pinch.

About the baits/traps, I heard these will bring them in from five miles away. I wouldn't use them if I were you.

I think the bags work great. I haven't noticed anymore of them then there were the first year we used them, and now I don't have to spray toxic junk on my plants.

They are extremely fond of gardens - mostly green beans and peas, but they will also chow down most everything else we have planted to some extent.

I can usually get one good batch of roses out of my rosebush before I have to install a bag near it.