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Re: A Summation On Japanese Beetles

Jeff's post was outstanding, one of the best short pieces on Japanese beetle control I've seen. But Ron's coda is the best I have seen for the real world.

I think that sometimes true believers lose sight of their readership. I preach compost and soil improvement and using the least offensive control method that does the job, sometimes to the point that I can hear the groans as people open their papers.. But I also know that 90 percent of my readers are not committed enough or not enlightened enough to use IPM, at least not fully or effectively. Most of my readers are Saturday morning enthusiasts who just want to get their roses through July. And for them I have an obligation to explain how to use Sevin safely and effectively. Tell them to mow their lawns higher and use nematodes and spread compost on their lawns and wait three or four years to see what happens and they'll grab that bottle and pour it straight on their American Beauty.

As garden writers we have an obligation not only to coax them around to a more Earth friendly regimen but also to show them how to properly use common chemicals until they get there.

D


----- Original Message -----
Jeff's summation is great. We encourage people to build their habitat so
that natural enemies control most of their pests. But we also work with
them where they are, with their current perceptual limitations. So we
encourage them to use nematodes on their lawns to kill the grubs and
repellents or traps as appropriate for the adults.

Then we encourage them to use compost, compost tea, and build habitat for
insects and birds. 
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