Garden Pests: Slugs and Bugs

by Toni leland

Slugs. They are disgusting and downright destructive. After this soggy spring, they've taken on plants they would not have touched in the past. Things like marigolds. We plant marigolds to repel insects, not attract them! Sunflowers are usually left alone, but not this year.

Poor sunflower!

I try to practice what I preach: use natural methods to protect the environment. I started with sand. Heavily applied around the base of the plants. Next morning, it was clear that hadn't worked! So I bought diatomaceous earth. It seems to work, but once it gets wet, you have to reapply it. So, every time I put some down, it rained. Plus, it is very unattractive to have your flower beds filled with snow white powder.

Okay, the old beer in a saucer trick. I never put much store in the idea, but I decided if it didn't work, I'd just drink the stuff and let the slugs have the garden. Check out my first morning's catch!

Slugs bellying up to the bar.

Of course, you have to dispose of the critters every morning, and keep the saucer filled. But it seems to be slowing down the damage. Maybe the sunflowers will win after all. (Unfortunately, the marigolds were so badly damaged, I doubt they'll do much more than die.) For more than you ever wanted to know about slugs, read my article Slug Those Slugs which also contains more ideas for control.

Next obnoxious and damaging pest coming up this month is Japanese Beetles. These beetles will strip a shrub or tree in a matter of days when the adults are at peak and breeding. I talk about the life cycle and susceptible plants in my article Visitors Without Visas: Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica).

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)

 One of the biggest controversies here is whether or not to use pheromone traps. Most Extension offices will tell you not to, as the scent used in the traps will attract beetles from blocks away. That's not what you want. Also, it's been stated recently that turf damage from the grubs is much worse in yards where the traps were used the previous year.

Personally, I watch carefully each morning to keep tabs on emerging adults. Hand-pick and destroy when there are only a few. If you have a huge number, then protect targeted shrubs with cheesecloth or row covers. The insects are highly active when it's around 85 degrees (F) and calm. Check with your state extension office for the recommended time to apply the grub killer. Most will advise putting it down at the end of July when the new eggs are hatching under the grass.

Oriental Beetle (Anomala orientalis)

The Oriental Beetle is also showing up about now, but not in the huge numbers seen with the JB. The most damage is caused by the larval stage, which eats the roots of the grass. The adults feed on roses, phlox, and petunias.

Careful monitoring of your gardens each morning can save you a lot of frustration, and hopefully, a lot of plants.