They're baaaaak! And they go straight for the roses, especially those in peak condition.
Just when the Oso Easy Paprika and Peachy Cream I'd planted three years ago were doing so well, I spied at least five Japanese beetles cavorting atop one of the half dollar-sized blooms.
Seeing the familiar yet alien bug was a jolt into the new day's challenges.
So far they haven't gone for anything else in the garden. And why would they? The first in the flying brood feeds on the healthiest, fittest and prettiest in the garden before moving on to the bug-riddled, heat-stressed and therefore less desirable staples.
They wouldn't have the Amelopsis to pick on this year. I removed the porcelain vine after coming to the realization that it would never look good because each year it was devoured by these Asian beasties.
The first waves of Japanese beetles were found in the U.S. in a nursery in southern New Jersey in 1916. By 1972, beetle infestations were reported in 22 states east of the Mississippi River. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the beetles are here to stay. The best we can hope for is to limit the damage caused to plants.
An APHIS publication explains some control methods such as the use of nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic parasitic roundworms that actively seek out grubs in the soil. It's a good thing we can't see what's going on down there because I'm certain we'd be seriously grossed out.
The nematode penetrates the grub and inoculates it with bacteria. These bacteria think they've died and gone to germ heaven because they're surrounded by their favorite food -- grub meat. The nematode, who isn't averse to benefitting from this arrangement, feasts on the bacteria. As far as I'm concerned, it couldn't happen to a more deserving insect.
So how do we get our hands on nematodes? One of the best species to use against Japanese beetle grubs is Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and they're sold by Gardens Alive! under the name Grub-Away. According to the Lawrenceburg, Ind., company's Web site, they are mixed with water and sprayed on your lawn and garden. The nematodes also have a special fondness for borers, cutworms, weevils, flea larvae, leaf miners and other types of grubs. Grub-Away is harmless to beneficial insects and earthworms.
Gardens Alive! offers 10 million nematodes (I wonder who counts them?) for around $30, and an order will treat 200 to 300 square feet of garden or 600 square feet of lawn. Visit gardensalive.com or call (513) 354-1482.
The APHIS publication on controlling Japanese beetles can be found at aphis.usda.gov.
It's also hydrangea time. A smattering of promised blossoms survived the horrendous winter. Blue Billow is, of course, in full bloom. One reason it never fails is that its blossoms are not limited to the branch tips as they are in many of much-coveted varieties.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at jeanstarr@verizon.net.
