Comments on: The beetle battle http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/ a garden journal about public garden maintenance, seasonal tasks, garden events, stories about gardening, volunteers, flowers, bugs and wildlife Fri, 17 May 2013 01:29:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Carolyn http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-6477 Carolyn Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:23:22 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/?p=2584#comment-6477 Like you I thought I was putting a dent in the beetle population with my "bucket (cans are too small!) of death but I have discovered a way to move them over to another area and possibly prevent them from re-immerging in that area next year. It seems to me that wherever the first pheromones land the beetles continue to use that plant as their love nest and feeding area. So I cut off the branches that they congregated on and they don't return as heavily. I have cut down sections of asters and pruned the quince. I've seen a difference, so give it a try. Of course the roses took a beating...what can I say? <em>Carolyn, I think that's brilliant and I'm going to write big notes to myself to remember to cut their "love nests" back next year. - It's certainly worth a shot! Thanks for sharing that tip! -kris</em> Like you I thought I was putting a dent in the beetle population with my “bucket (cans are too small!) of death but I have discovered a way to move them over to another area and possibly prevent them from re-immerging in that area next year. It seems to me that wherever the first pheromones land the beetles continue to use that plant as their love nest and feeding area. So I cut off the branches that they congregated on and they don’t return as heavily. I have cut down sections of asters and pruned the quince. I’ve seen a difference, so give it a try. Of course the roses took a beating…what can I say?

Carolyn, I think that’s brilliant and I’m going to write big notes to myself to remember to cut their “love nests” back next year. – It’s certainly worth a shot! Thanks for sharing that tip! -kris

]]> By: wayne http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-6463 wayne Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:14:21 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/?p=2584#comment-6463 have not seen one. at home or at the school. how cool is that! <em>What's your secret????? -kris</em> have not seen one. at home or at the school. how cool is that!

What’s your secret????? -kris

]]> By: Jared http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-6462 Jared Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:48:20 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/?p=2584#comment-6462 Those darn beetles are pigging out on our echinacea, a first for us. Normally they stick to the blackberries. I don't wear gloves when I attack, and sometimes I can crush two or three at the same time. Gosh, they're awful. <em>Jared, You are made of sturdier stuff than me! And how sad that they've found your echinacea... I've got my fingers crossed for our 'Green Envy'... -kris</em> Those darn beetles are pigging out on our echinacea, a first for us. Normally they stick to the blackberries. I don’t wear gloves when I attack, and sometimes I can crush two or three at the same time. Gosh, they’re awful.

Jared, You are made of sturdier stuff than me! And how sad that they’ve found your echinacea… I’ve got my fingers crossed for our ‘Green Envy’… -kris

]]> By: Layanee http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-6461 Layanee Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:49:33 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/?p=2584#comment-6461 They have arrived and I found a bee like creature feeding on one of them and, I must say, I applauded. <em>Wow! A beetle predator, really?! Please bring a few of those with you when you visit! -kris</em> They have arrived and I found a bee like creature feeding on one of them and, I must say, I applauded.

Wow! A beetle predator, really?! Please bring a few of those with you when you visit! -kris

]]> By: Chookie http://blog.blithewold.org/how-when-what/the-beetle-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-6456 Chookie Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:15:50 +0000 http://www.blithewold.org/blog/?p=2584#comment-6456 Sounds like a very difficult insect to deal with! Has anyone developed pheromone-based traps for them? <em>Chookie, I think there are traps - my only worry would be attracting more to the vicinity... I'll have to ask around to see if anyone has used such a thing with success. -kris</em> Sounds like a very difficult insect to deal with! Has anyone developed pheromone-based traps for them?

Chookie, I think there are traps – my only worry would be attracting more to the vicinity… I’ll have to ask around to see if anyone has used such a thing with success. -kris

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