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 We’re here !!! Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) adults have emerged to reproduce and consume massive amounts of ornamental and food plant foliage in the process.While we do not have any 100% effective solutions, this post by Michigan State University Extension entomologists Rufus Isaacs and John Wise shares insights on various organic and conventional control and prevention options. Though written for fruit growers, the info is applicable to homeowners as well.What does Windy Rock Farm & Nursery use for Japanese Beetles? We’ve tried traps in the past, but as noted by Dr. Isaacs, beetle traps are largely ineffective at large-scale control and actually draw more beetles to your property. While no guarantee, this year we are trying Surround WP, an OMRI Certified, organic clay product recommended to us by a friend who used it on his USDA Certified Organic farm for years.Surround WP is a dry powder mixed with water and applied using a sprayer. After drying, a white clay residue remains on leaf and fruit surfaces making them less appealing to hungry insects. It is not permanent and must be periodically reapplied during target pest infestations. If desired, other control agents may be blended in as well.The largest drawback (to the best of my knowledge) is that Surround WP is only available in 25# bags. I recently treated our grapes, raspberries, roses, a cherry tree, a Basswood, and many of our nursery plants and only used 3 cups through a 2-gallon pump sprayer. It will keep indefinitely if kept dry, but you may want to get a few friends or neighbors to share a bag with you. Local to us, Chelsea Farmer’s Supply can order it in for just under $60/bag.I hope you found this Windy Rock Farm & Nursery News update informative. We still have plenty of potted Michigan native perennials, flowering shrubs, and trees available for use in your butterfly, bee, or hummingbird garden, rain garden, etc. – so come out and visit! |
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 