It’s really quite extraordinary how self-deceptive we can be, isn’t it? Earlier on in the season, and right up till yesterday, I was at least partially convinced that the population of birds in our yard had happily grown, and I thought it was quite agreeable if not dually hospitable…………
Two confessions today: I have been known to say (well, maybe boast, just a tad – not because I’m boastful but because I felt like I was incredibly lucky!) that I don’t need to feed or spray my roses. Well, I don’t know about where you are, but I have a major infestation of Japanese beetles for the first time – ever. They have single-handedly destroyed my roses – I had a brief interlude with gorgeous blossoms in June and now I am disaster-edly devoid of almost any blooms!. I tell you, I’m distraught. (I store images over these months in order to survive the barren months – like a squirrel – and so, my days are supposed to be filled with feasting right now!)
Confession number two: I have called these buzzards every awful, nasty and tawdry name in the book, as I have watched them devour my garden here in NJ.
Last week I took the organic approach to encouraging them to leave the premises. Today, as I scoured the remnants of the overnight raindrops, I switched sentiments. Now, I’m really ****-mad, and it is war. Now, you know from my postings that I am adamantly against bee and butterfly-destroying chemicals in the garden and I remain assuredly so. So, in about and hour and a half I’ll be going over to visit my friends at the Farm and buying up every allowable remedy for these uninvited creatures.
To say that I am devastated that my rose blooms are gone is an understatement. I have been reveling in my luck over the past few years – given the gift of abundant blooms cradling the house. The deer chomped down my new Knock-outs at the end of the drive about a month ago – and I have given in to this – numerous rounds of spraying Deer Off did not deter them. Now, with the beetles, I’m in war mode.
Luckily, this early morning (I awoke at 4:54 this morning) my case of bad temper didn’t deter me from going out with the camera – in search of “summertime photos ripe for the pickin”.
Here are a few more:
Ok, so what to do? Several articles I’ve read suggest an interlude outside this morning with a bowl of soapy water and some “picking”. Hmmm……… this could take a long time. Also, I am now convinced that I have a bad case of grubs in the lawn – and this makes a lot of sense with my bird-friends hanging around this Summer. I, for awhile, just kidded myself into thinking they just liked it here – but all along I suspected that was not the case and there was an underlying reason why they were being so friendly. Never underestimate the innate instinct to satiate…………
Excuse me for a few minutes while I go out and give another spray-dose of Insecticidal Soap……. (ugh is this ok for the bees and butterflies? Incidentally, this soap does not kill beetles – it was just to make me feel better that I’d done something.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/japanese-beetles.aspx#axzz36s9a7u9z
I’m back from the Farm now. Basically I have to do three things – which I am now armed to do:
- control the grubs in my lawn with an organic grub control – sorry birdies – this is best done in August or September, so I have to see if I can make any headway now
- set a trap, but away from the roses in order to draw the beetles to a different part of the yard – did this
- spray with an organic beetle-control product which will not harm my pollinator friends – will do tonight or early am tomorrow
I’m determined to rid my yard of these harmful pests, but without hurting beneficial insects. If anyone has any other suggestions – tried and true, please send them to me.
Thanks.