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Minnesota Gardening

How to get rid of what is eating my annuals

15 years ago

I have just discovered that some type of beetle (or at least I think it is a beetle) is eating my annuals! They are on my second story window box that has petunias and sweet potato vine. I can see them so close that I can see them in action boring their holes through the petals-gasp! The have irridescent green heads and butts and kind of a rust color on their wings. What are these and how do I get rid of them? This is the first year that my window box is thriving and I have a feeling they are going to devour it!

Thanks for your help!

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Comments (5)

heleninramsey
15 years ago
It sounds like Japanese beetles...they are nasty to get rid of (sorry) but before jumping to conclusions, did it look like the picture in this link?

Helen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese beetle
flora43
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, that is the culprit! Any suggestions? I would prefer a natural method if possible.
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Those little holes could be earwigs but they could be other things too like flea beetles. slugs tend to eat from the edges. If it's flea beetles you should see them around your plants in the day. Slugs and earwigs feed after dark so a trip outside with a flashlight will tell you what it is. I agree the first plant looks like it has some king of fungal disease. Here is a good bait for earwigs Bait for Earwigs. Equal parts of soy sauce, cooking oil and (molasses or corn syrup). The molasses or syrup is bait to attract them--the oil doesn't allow them to crawl back out and the salt in the soy sauce finishes them off and makes the mixture dark so they think it is just a hole. Put it in a small container— I use those small scoops from laundry soap and place a stone on top but you can use any small container even the bottom of a soda or water bottle and anything for a lid. Cover 1/2 inch of the bottom of the container with the mixture and bury it up to the brim in the soil where you have a problem with them. Prop a lid over it so it doesn't get diluted by rain and so it is a nice dark place for them to hide for the day--ha. When you prop the lid, leave a small space for them to crawl into the container. You might have to wait a couple of days for it to work, but the first time I tried it I used a baby food bottle and it was full to the brim with little grey baby earwigs the next morning. I was surprised at just how many I did get. Try it. It really works
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idafrances
15 years ago
Ooh...I have these too. They seem to be eating my roses. I've read that you should pick them off by hand into a bottle of water? Is there a better way? Thanks!
heleninramsey
15 years ago
The U of MN extention has information on its web site, but it is not as complete as the following link, and it actually uses it as a source. Good luck and sorry...I have used some of the chemicals myself and they are helpful to a certain extent. I am always carefull of the bees and to only spray affected plants, I believe that chemicals can be used responsibly, but I know it is not for everyone. Helen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Beetle fact sheet
dr_andre_phufufnik
15 years ago
I use the bucket of soapy water and it works -- on the ones I catch. Problem is, they fly from far away, so more are waiting. Furthermore, they also eat tree leaves (cherry, linden), so even those you plop into the water down low where you are, remain a small percent of the total population in the treetops.

We just have to live with them like the people in the eastern half of the US. The swarm is slowly moving westward. Almost unknown just a few years ago, they are now an established pest here.

The plague lasts a few weeks. Persevere and wait them out. Hopefully, you will find plants next year they do not eat.

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