When Japanese Beetles Attack

As I warned, the Bag-O-Bugs were not successful. Yes, the bag was almost completely full after one day, but the beetles are still luxuriating on our leaves and the clock is ticking.

Apparently, when you use these bags, for ever beetle they kill, they also attract 4 more.

Of course my parents had also warned us of this, and instead recommed the always successful Bayer systematic treatment (Shout out to Julie, for also recommending this). So, my husband will be stopping by the Depot on the way home from work today (and putting that gift card to good use at last).

If however, you enjoy the benefits of natural, home remedies, I have another solution.

Thanks to the work of my neighbor, the Incredible Ed, I learned that by simply mixing garlic, jalapenos, liquid dish soap, and vegetable oil, you have an alternative to saving your plants. Ed sprayed the infiltrated leaves yesterday, and woke up this morning to find all the beetles gone

Other benefits of this approach include:

1) Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals

2) Saving on the cost of the manufactured sprays

3) Preserving the new gold (gas) by avoiding a trip to a local merchant.

To find out more about this approach, and other great gardening techniques, check out NPR's "You Bet Your Garden" Mike McGrath's website:

http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=482

Shout out to Colleen for the info.