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Re: thrips & general rambling


> I too sent a question last season that went unanswered so figured it was
> too mundane or something. I have flower thrips that are destroying my
> lovely roses and have finally used Neem..Bioneem to try and slow them
down.
> I think someone on another list mentioned lacewings and I do see some and
I
> also have giant praying mantis on my roses...but the thrips are way too
> many for them. Will let you know if the Neem product works.
> L
> Northern CAlifornia,zone 8

I don't have thrips here in Western New York, but they were awful in New
Orleans.  I didn't respond to your original posting because, when I had
them, I had to pull out the "big guns" to control them.  I make every
effort to try & use organic products, but in some instances (particularly
in N.O.) I have to resort to extreme measures.

Since I've lived here, my biggest problem has been various types of worms
and catepillars which I control with bacillus thurengiensis (or whatever it
is; it's too cold to go out into the garage at the moment) and have had
great results.  I've yet to see a Japanese beetle, but they're on their
way.  Friends of mine, 7 miles down the road, have them occasionally and
are starting the milky spore disease method of control.

Aphind are incidental.  I'm well armed with ladybugs and Praying Mantis,
both natural to the area.  If they get out of hand a blast of water takes
care of them.

My biggest problem is deer.  I've gone from thinking they were adorable to
hating the damned things.  Fencing is my next project, so perhaps I'll
reach a compromise with them.

Don't be envious of the pest situation here.  By the time the roses really
kick in and start to look great, it's September.

Sorry to ramble, but I'm hoping some topics can be picked out to stimulate
the list.

Keith Romanczyk, zone 5 ( in my dreams) WNY
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