You folks were right. Japanese Beetles have infested my low-maintenance, carefree knockout roses. It's like Bug City out there.
So yesterday, I hopped in the car and sped over to Home Depot to buy bug killer. (While there I also bought a whole bunch of petunias, but that's another story.
I got two large plastic bottles of stuff, guaranteed to wipe out these oriental menaces. It's the type of bottles to which you attach your garden hose and spray spray spray spray. Easy peasy. Yeah, sure. First, I did battle with the garden hose trying to remove its spray attachment so that I could attach the bug killer bottle. No go. My arthritic, fibromyalgic hands would not remove that spray attachment which Vann had attached with his big strong hands years ago.
But I was not defeated, not yet. I went around to the side of the house and retrieved one of the two hoses there. But first, I had to untangle them, of course. With that hose connected to the water faucet, I attached the bottle, turned on the water, and turned the dial on the bottle to begin spraying. The whole dad-blasted bottle top blew off and covered me with spray. Suffice it to say, my person will not be infested with Japanese beetles anytime soon.
I almost gave up then, but from somewhere deep, I mustered my reserve spoons and pressed on. After trying every thing, including hitting it with a rock, I ascertained that the top would not go back on the bottle. But I had a second bottle. I was prepared. Got it attached to hose, turned everything on, spray spray spray spray spray--KABOOOM! After getting two rose bushes coated with spray, that bottle blew apart too.
That was it. No more spoons, no more strength, no more patience. Right then, I didn't care if the stupid bugs ate the whole dang house. I was soaking wet, weak kneed, and red faced. Enough of this nonsense. I put everything away, a miracle in itself since I could barely walk by then, and came inside to call Wayne's Environment Services, the folks who take care of my lawn. But of course, it was after business hours, so I only got a recording. But I'm calling them back today.
Meanwhile, I've done some research on Japanese beetles this morning. It seems getting rid of the ones on my roses is just the beginning of the war. They breed immediately upon emerging from the ground. I can attest to that, since many of them were at that task as I observed them. Then they lay eggs, which I'm sure they have already done, in preparation for their next generation to come out and eat more of my roses. A vicious insecti-cycle, as it were.
I rue the day I had those roses planted. I wish I had just kept my hateful old ugly holly bushes. At least all they needed was pruning several times a year. Nothing ate them. Nothing wanted them. In fact, you couldn't have killed them with a nuclear bomb, I think. Holly is the roach bugs of the plant kingdom.
I KNOW, I KNOW! Y'all were expecting a UFO report today, not some account of the Battle of Beetle Run. So here it is: I got "Love Birds" delivered to the quilter yesterday. That's my report. Now, look below and find Mr. Linky and add your link so I can come see you.
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On 06/01/2012, Ramey said ...
Hope this will help: (1)Plant garlic,(2) spray with garlic concoction: I just came up with a concoction today that got rid of a lot of them. I took a 1 1/2gal. chapin sprayer, filled it with warm water, about 3 tsp of garlic powder, 2 tsp of cayenne pepper, a couple of squirts of dish soap and a little under a 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. Shook at and sprayed the little buggers really good. They didn’t like the smell, if they eat the leaf, it is hot, and the oil and soap stick to the plant. It doesn’t smell too good, but it worked. http://dkmommyspot.com/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles-naturally/
On 06/01/2012, Barbara Anne said ...
My sympathies! Hope you'll take the sprayers that blew up back to the store and raise Cain, politely as us Southern ladies are raised to do - or NOT!
We spray with Sevin but I like the recipe Ramey found so will try that if DH agrees. Besides, we have all of those ingredients in our kitchen.
We've also sprayed the ground under the trees when we see the 1st Japanese beetles each year and that seems to have helped somewhat. I hesitate to say this, but (knock wood) they have ignored our Knock Out roses in years past ... They were interested in our fruit trees and the Kentucky Wonder green pole beans in the garden. We learned they don't like Rattlesnake green beans so that's what we grow.
Hope your spoon supply has been replenished and today will be lots more fun for you.
Hugs!
On 06/01/2012, Diane W said ...
I found those little critters on my rose bush last night. My knock out roses are not doing very well but I never thought to look for bugs. They were even down inside the rose buds that haven't even bloomed out yet. I'll have to try Ramey's concoction this weekend. The way you describe things that happen...I can just see it. It is such a joy to read your blog. Sorry to laugh at some of your mishaps, I sure at the time to you it is not so humorous. Let me just say we share a lot of situations. My husband is still here but disabled, so I have to do everything around the house, unless he is having a really good day (which is not very often). I know all about the strength men have when putting a sprayer attachments on a hose. Also if Vann was anything like my husband, he probably insisted on a super duper heavy grade contractor hose pipe that would take two grown men to move. It is a tug-a-war every time I have to water the grass and flowers and he wonders why I get so tired I can't reel the hose pipe up after finishing. Oh well! do love your stories. Have a good rest of the day and weekend.
On 06/01/2012, Jed said ...
I had this problem 4-5 years ago. I went out every day at dusk and sprayed my tree with regular old water, just to drive the bugs off for the night. Fortunately, many of my neighbors had "bug bags," so driving them away increased the chances that they would end up in a bag.
I would also carry a cup of soapy water, and knock the bugs into that. For some reason, they can't get out of soapy water.
On 06/01/2012, Lynn said ...
Sorry to hear about your beetle battles! But your description of your escapades did make me laugh. I got a few pots filled with flowers this week in addition to some sewing. I just hope the deer don't think what I planted looks yummy! Only time will tell.
On 06/01/2012, Linda said ...
I'm sorry you had such problems with those spray bottles. Maybe return them??? A suggestion for future use.... next time you are in Home Depot et al, get a can of Liquid Wrench. Wonderful stuff. I use it with hose end attachments and anything else that will not come unscrewed. Great persuader. Sure saves my arthritic hands. And temper.
Blessings!
On 06/01/2012, Barbara Anne said ...
Back to add that the soapy spray won't kill the bugs so DH says he'll continue to use Sevin as we don't want them to go elsewhere either.
I like the idea of knocking them into a can filled with soapy water! The beetles certainly can be thick enough that drowning some in soapy water would be a step in the right direction.
Off to visit others to see their UFO progress.
More hugs!
On 06/01/2012, Debra S said ...
My gardening philosophy is "if a plant can't grow on its own in my yard, tough!" I don't cater to plants-been there and done that and decided last year, I was really done. I am very quickly & permanently crossing tasks off my list that irritate or frustrate me.
On 06/02/2012, Debra H. said ...
Your story sounds like so many projects I have attempted on my own since my dear husband died almost three years ago. I don't have the fibro monster, but I have pretty debilitating arthritis in my right hand, which means I have no strength to open, close, twist and turn stuff with my dominant hand. It seems to take so much more effort on my part to complete what would be a simple project to someone else. Hang in there and just know you are not alone.
On 06/02/2012, Gretchen said ...
I've seen hanging traps for Japanese beetles that would be easier than spray. Works for large fields of crops. Hope the rest of the weekend is much better for you.
On 06/02/2012, Deb said ...
Hi Susan...sounds like you had a day with all that trying to get the bugs. I do like Ramey's idea and will definitely try that...if and when
I didn't have a UFO progress, but I did post about an antique quilt block I bought (not made myself). It's a pretty one. This week I'll be working on a new table runner (still not a UFO).
have a good week Susan. Hope the fibro settles down.
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