I’ve been waging a kind of weird war against the Japanese Beetles who have targeted my raised bed Zinnia garden. Safer’s natural spray held them at bay for a week; then, they returned in force yesterday.
I’m not giving up on them, and they are beginning to sprout some beautiful flowers (see above.) I ordered a Japanese Beetle Trap, a strange contraption with a cartridge that gives off an order like Japanese Beetle sex and traps them in a bag, which can be opened so the chickens can eat them.
They come flying towards the odor, stun themselves on the plastic and drop into the bag. I have to say this thing works as precisely and efficiently as advertised.
I was warned to keep this at least 10 away from the garden to attract more battles than desired.
Since I put up the trap yesterday, not one beetle has shown up on or near the garden. It’s a little grisly to see the growing mound of trapped battles, but I’ll get over it. I got two of them, just in case.
I’m not looking to sell stuff on the blog, but so many of you have offered me advice I think I’m obliged to share the outcome.
My flowers are gorgeous, they will grace our farmhouse all summer, and I’m happy to fight for them. The beetles do not touch my heart; I wouldn’t make it as a Buddhist.
Interesting. Are you finding only the Japanese Beetles in the trap or are other beetles getting trapped in there too? Since it sounds like the chickens can eat the beetles can you also let the chickens scrounge around in the zinnias to find beetles or will the chickens be too destructive to the plants?
Just Japanese beetles and a lot of them.
We have 2 simular traps for flies in our barn. Works great.
Yes, pheramone (sp?) sprays do the trick.
Oh you vicious, vicious man! Kidding (of course). Why is it that everything that is invasive these days seems to be “Japanese” (Japanese knot weed, beetles..) I think they are eating my cone flowers and if I had chickens….but I don’t and I am Buddhist inclined. Like Maria, I escort things out.
Your flowers are wonderful. I need raised beds. Maybe next year.
our beetle attack has been bad this year it was suggested I put a trap on either end of the garden and like you have had very little problem with them but do have a great collection of beetles