Ladies and gentlemen... the beetles!

Once again it's Japanese beetle season. Most of the eastern and central parts of the country "enjoy" this pest each year in early summer, and I certainly have them in my St. Louis garden.

Here's a brief look, as I don't like to spend too much time on them -- it's a bit depressing.

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In my garden they go for the roses first:

That's one reason that I don't grow more roses. Starting in mid-June and lasting about a month or 6 weeks I am unable to find an untouched rose bloom.

Because I grow reblooming roses mainly, I do get to see some blooms before the beetles hit, and I know that I'll see more after they've ended their life cycles.

It's just not pretty during beetle season.

They'll eat some other plants too.

Although I have to admit that the beetles themselves are really quite beautiful.

Incidentally, as I was out photographing these metallic pests this morning I heard what sounded like a puffing steam engine, or some sort of machinery. Then it sounded more like a cat with a hairball, only much larger. Next thing I knew a deer ran out into the yard:

It hesitated for a moment (letting me refocus, which takes a lot of effort with the old manual macro lens I was using), then took off.

I expect it choked and freaked out, unless that puffing noise is some sort of warning or sign of aggression. I didn't see any other deer though, so I suspect it was just choking.

It was a nice reminder though that as much as the beetles may appear to be eating, it's nothing when compared to what the other pests in my garden can do with just a single bite.

Horrible, but nothing compared to deer damage.

Now if deer were shiny green and metallic, that would really be something...

Anyway, my control method for Japanese beetles is to knock them into a bucket of soapy water:

This is easiest early in the morning when they're really sluggish, but since their instinct is to let go of the plant and fall to the ground when threatened, it's pretty easy to get them into the bucket.

Not sure what to do with the drowned beetles once your bucket is full? Just leave the bucket on the ground and raccoons will eat all of the carcasses for you. I must use a flavor of dish soap that they really like.

I have to admit that I've been a bit lax in beetle hunting this year, although it seems like there aren't as many of them this year. Perhaps their numbers haven't peaked yet.

I expect I will have another Japanese beetle post in a couple of weeks, although I'm hoping there won't be a reason for one.

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