Re: A Summation On Japanese Beetles

**"Marge Talt" m*@hort.net**

> From: Jeff Ball <jeffball@starband.net>
> So raise the lawn mower, overseed the lawn to make it dense, never
use
> any broad spectrum insecticides, never use any traps, attract the
birds
> and the beneficial insects, and feed the soil food web.  That's how
to
> deal with Japanese beetles.
----------

I agree with Jeff.  I rarely herbicides, pesticides or other 'cides'
outside and then only superfine oil or Safer's; encourage birds and
wildlife (except deer) and, after nearly 30 years, feel I have a very
balanced ecosystem.  Seldom have any infestations of anything that I
can't live with; very few J. beetles and then only periodically. 
While Andrew has a valid point about plants attracting specific
insects, I do believe that we do more harm than good by racing out to
buy something to get rid of whatever it is that's eating plants at
the moment.  Handpicking, planting plants that grow happily in what
we can offer them and a balanced ecosystem take care of things in the
long run.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
Shadyside Garden Designs
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