Just knew it was too good to last! The nice shower we got over the weekend was apparently enough to soften the soil so the Japanese beetles could emerge, and out they came. I saw this one on a rose bush, then found 6 more on the seedling celosia still waiting to be planted. So, the battle begins! I know the Japanese beetles love to burrow into the buds and flowers, but what’s making the spots on the leaves? Your input appreciated.
The rain is too late for the wild black raspberries that grow all around our property’s woodland edges. They are ripe, but extremely small and dried out and not worth the time picking but hopefully the rain will help the blackberries swell into luscious berries.
I’m off to tie up melon vines and tomato branches. You wouldn’t believe how much they’ve grown just since it’s rained a bit. And, I’ll bet the peas need picking again, too!
herbalblessingsblog 
Maybe it wasn’t your rain that brought them out; maybe it was just their time. Mine came up over the weekend too, in south central PA. Have you tried Bag-A-Bug? They work. I don’t use any chemicals here, but that’s just a pheromone, where they think they’re going to get something good, and instead they end up down in the bag, and dead.
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Yes, I have traps…just need to find them!
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Oh, yuck. Little blighters. Have seen any here yet, but we have also had rain so it might only be a matter of time.
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My raspberries and strawberries are small and dry too because of the drought. I don’t have japanese beetle here but did discover an infestation of black aphids on my southernwood yesterday. If it’s not one pest it’s another!
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They eat the leaves too. The spots are also from the beetles. The first few you see in your yard are essentially scouts. Get them and your infestation will be greatly reduced. Just dunk them in a container of soapy water. I use a fork to tip them in. If you’re aggressive in doing this the next few days you won’t get a swarm.
I advice against traps. They’re just gonna invite all the beetles in your neighborhood to your yard.
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