The town of Middleton, Wisconsin, has been plagued by a particularly bothersome bug: Japanese beetles.
Although the invasive bug can be challenging to manage, a leading expert suggests there are some novel tactics the citizens can try.
Sadly, there is no special remedy that can make this bug disappear.
Japanese beetle problem to plants
Jason Lee/Unsplash
Previously, farmer John Pray had the most exquisite red raspberries. Years ago, Pray said, he would simply come out and pick each day for maybe six weeks, in July and August and even September.
He adores those raspberries, therefore it's very aggravating that these pests have appeared since then, he noted via Spectrum News1.
Unfortunately, Japanese beetles do as well.
Director of the insect diagnostic lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, PJ Liesch, stated that he wasn't shocked by Pray's issue.
According to Liesch, Japanese beetles are reported to consume over 300 different kinds of plants. However, it really is a continuum.
Raspberries are among the foods that people truly adore, ranking up there with foods that people don't care much for but may nibble on in need.
Unfortunately, Pray, a non-commercial farmer, could not sell his current crop.
Liesch had some thoughts in the interim. He wouldn't say there is a way to completely get rid of them, but he did add there are practical techniques to manage them in household gardens.
He mentioned the strain of Bacillus thuringiensis called Bacillus thuringiensis gallery, which he believed is effective in combating Japanese beetles.
Azadirachtin, a spray made from the neem tree, is a further effective remedy. He claimed that it works reasonably well against Japanese beetles but advised against purchasing the spray because it occasionally fails to work.
The director also advised avoiding the traps. He claimed that when plant damage occurs, the compounds in the plant draw even more insects.
He advised hand-picking wherever possible. According to research studies, the key is that if you reduce the initial damage, you can, to some extent, stop Japanese beetles from getting to the plants.
According to Liesch, the beetles are posing particular difficulties this year in northern Wisconsin, where they have never before been a problem.
As a general preventive maintenance technique, experts advise maintaining the health of your landscape. Eliminate unhealthy, diseased trees as well as any fruit that is ripening too soon or has a disease that may draw Japanese beetles, as per Almanac.
Pick the Correct Plants
Choose plants that will not attract Japanese beetles. Spreading out their favorite plants throughout the yard as opposed to keeping them in one spot might also be beneficial.
Milky Spore
The milky spore of the fungus can be sprayed on your grass to lessen the population of Japanese beetle larvae. The spores are consumed by the grubs as they eat food in the soil.
For this strategy to work, the spore count is present for two to three years. Fortunately, the spores may last in the soil for a very long time.
Companion Plants
Planting them together can be a good pest-reduction approach. Put some tansy, rue, or garlic nearby your injured plants to deter Japanese beetles. Aromatic plants and herbs of many kinds are wonderful companions.
Many sprays and dust are extremely hazardous to native bees, honeybees, and other pollinators.
If it becomes necessary to apply these substances to plants while they are in bloom, avoid doing so when bees are likely to be visiting the flowers.
