Japanese beetles? Did you see what was eating them? That will make a difference as to what you want to plant near them to act as a trap plant or a deterrent.

I didn't see any jap beetles, but we do have them. I'm afraid I don't know what did it! They had little holes all over the leaves. I guess I'll keep a better eye out this year and try and catch the bugs in the act!

It's either Japanese beetles, weevils, or caterpillars. If you have japanese beetles, plant four oclocks somewhere out of the way. They will thank you promptly by devouring the plants which are poisonous to them. ;)

I have a feeling it's a combo of the jap beetles and weevils. I've seen both. I do have 4 o'clock seeds, so I'll start with those. Strange that the beetles haven't "learned" through evolution that the 4 o'clocks are bad... HEH.

Thanks!!

There's no one around to tell them. :)

Just don't put them near the hollyhocks or roses. Or tomatoes. Or fruit trees. Or anything you like. Plant them out near the compost bin.

You can also plant chives near the Hollyhocks. They keep the Jap Beetles away. I have them interplanted with all my rose bushes.

Buy some Preying Mantis egg cases. When those boys get to be about 12" long, you won't need to worry about weevils, beetles or caterpillars.

If I had praying mantis around my flowers you wouldn't see me there either. I hate those things. They remind me of walking sticks! Yuck!!!!

I love praying mantis! I think they're really sweet, and such a beneficial bug. They eat bad things and don't bite. To me they look like cute little robots or something.

lol i love praying mantis too, i got a egg from a lady n now i get them every year, gotta watch cutting the pampus grass as thats were they often put their eggs now:)
what about lady bugs? dont know if they will go after the jap beetles though?
you could spray them with dish soap n water mix.

lady bugs will devour aphids. I don't know of many insects that will eat Japanese beetles.

Buy some Preying Mantis egg cases. When those boys get to be about 12" long, you won't need to worry about weevils, beetles or caterpillars.

Folks: I just had a glitch here on the site, and it double-posted my comment from yesterday. Bizarre. Anyway, sorry.

Do PM's eat slugs?

Thanks for all the input! I love praying mantis. I think they are so cool. I never thought to "buy" them before. I'd heard of buying ladybugs, but nothing else. I'll give it a shot! Where do you get them from?

I have this funny picture in my head of this big praying mantis with a little collar and leash tied to my shed like a puppy... lol...

Do bought bugs really stay around long enough to do some good?

Leisa

Leisa, that is so funny a PM on a leash, lol

I had tons of problems with JP Beatles last year so I WS'ed a bunch of 4 O'clock seeds.

Anyone know if I can plant the 4 O'clocks in the edge of my flower bed? Or do they not work well with other plants?

I am wondering if I should put them in pots or something now.

thanks!
Karen

My dad planted them in his flower beds for years, with seemingly no ill effects, but I don't know what the other plants were...

I've had 4:00, but never had them get eaten...guess the JBs prefer to still defoliate my rose bush instead.

I opt for the soapy water spray, but I'll plant MORE of the 4:00 to see if it has any effect.

Wow, I think I may have to find a place to buy PMs too! They're such cool bugs, one of my favourites. Would they be happy in the veggie garden as well as the flower garden?

Maybe we could give them tiny little rhinestone collars.

I don't see why not! Every so often I find one on my tomato plants :)

Oh, goody. Actually, we saw one in the veg garden at the Frick last summer gobbling up a wasp. Fascinating...we sat there for a while watching (and he watched us quite intently as well, which was, I have to say, a bit unsettling...made for great photos, though).

FYI-caterpillars of the painted lady butterfly also eat hollyhocks, make sure you id the bug first. There are also weevils:
{{gwi:368414}}
-B

Here is a link that might be useful: hollyhock bugs

Leisa, purchased ladybugs will only hang around if you have aphids for them to feed on. If not, they will fly away and find someone who has them. It's best to release them in the evening. They will start feeding and clean the plants completely. They might even lay eggs for the next year.