Re: Japanese Beetles

**H*@aol.com**

I've been using a formulation of 70% neem oil on my shrub altheas and  
perennial hibiscus for three years as a Japanese Beetle control.   Unfortunately 
I can't say it works, but I can't say it doesn't.  The  beetles show up 
each year around the first of July so a week earlier I begin a  7-10 day spray 
program.  Each year I get a crop of beetles that I still  have to pick off 
or spot spray with pyrethrum.   The beetle  populations have been so small 
though that I really can't say if it reduces the  infestation or not.  What I 
have observed is that even after three  applications to the foliage the 
beetles continue to feed and continue to hone in  on these plants.  So, can I 
say they've stopped feeding?  No.   Can I say they are repelled from the 
treated plants?  No. Has it  stopped their reproduction?  Well, they still seem 
quite interested in sex.  Would I stop the neem applications to find out if 
there would be more  beetle problems?  Lol...no.  I just wish I had more 
proof and lest  speculation.

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener is a  registered trade mark and is published every 
Thursday in The Southampton Press,  The Press and the Easthampton Press 

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