Re: Japanese Beetle update

**H*@aol.com**

Several list members have asked for an update on my Japanese  beetle 
observations and treatment...so here it is as of this  morning.

1.  At the first sign of the beetles spot treatments of a  RTU pyrethrum 
spray were made for quick knock down.
2.  Following this two applications of Garden Safe brand  (Shultz) 
fungicide 3 in 1 (70% clarified hydrophobic extract of Neem oil) was  made seven 
days apart.

The target plants were five varieties of shrub althea which is  the only 
plant on this property that the Japanese beetles feed on.  As I'm  only here 
on weekends (well I do cheat but don't tell my boss) daily  observations of 
feeding can't be made but in past years the week to week damage  to the 
foliage has been quite noticeable.

A neem product was applied last year with little to no results  and the 
feeding and beetle population was undeterred.  Of course I don't  have the 
container and don't remember exactly what it was but it was not a  widely known 
brand or product.

This year the feeding was mild to negligible but I can't  attribute this to 
the neem applications as the weather has been unusual and I  suspect the 
beetle population may have been low.  I've also checked a one  square block 
area and there seems to have been little feeding on altheas in  general.

I certainly want to follow up next year and look  forward to getting the 
product that Nancy Zerlag mentioned but in the name  of good science I think 
I'm also going to run some trials on roses that are  surrounded by 
lawns...that will really be a good indicator.

So for this year, bottom line....inconclusive (or the stuff is  terrific 
and I just don't know it yet...lol).

Andrew  

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener

The Hampton Gardener is a Registered Trade  Mark
(Published every Thursday in the Southampton Press, The Press and the  
Easthampton Press)

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