Susan Says: Make Your Beetle Protection Checklist Now!

Are your fruit trees, roses, and vines looking shabby? While we're in the thick of the Japanese Beetles invasion, make note of what plants in your yard are taking the worst hit and save the list for next May, the best time to apply preventative systemic. An easier and more effective beetle control than spray, Susan recommends Bayer Systemic, and there are varieties to protect all the plants in your garden. Water deeply after application, and be sure to keep up with regular weekly deep watering (thorough is better than frequent!) so the product will be absorbed by the plants' root system.

In their adult stage, beetles mate and lay eggs in the ground. Soon the larvae will begin to feed on the roots of grasses and other plants. Protect your lawn from damage caused by grubs with Milky Spore, a bacteria that infects and kills the beetle larvae. It's an organic, biological treatment that's safe for birds, children, pets, and can be applied near water sources. Lasting for decades, Milky Spore only needs to be applied once and will multiply in your soil.

Yes, it's been a hot and dry summer and the insects have been bad, but at least we're not battling plant diseases like we were last summer, and the tropicals are flourishing. Check Culver's facebook page for a list of plants that beat the heat!