Can I use DE on Japanese beetles later this June...

8piecebox

once they begin feeding on my hollyhocks?

A little dash here, a little puff there is what I'd like to do.

I'll be using milky spore, too, but I know that might take a while to work, but I have the time...

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1079 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

I don't know if the beetles are soft-bodied enough for the DE to be fatal. You might try a garlic-pepper spray or something like that.

northwesterner · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 153 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

I can't find an ad here on the site; I'm probably not looking in the correct place.

Howard said he'll be doing a newsletter about DE (after lots of calls a couple of weeks ago on the radio program) but meanwhile, please post the name of this newest one he has spoken about on the program (the one with the puffer). Process of elimination (looking for a puffer in the DE section) I haven't been able to find it when I'm at Marshall Grain so I'll ask them about stocking it.

Thanks!

Northwesterner

northwesterner · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 153 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

Poking around some more I found it. Soil Mender.

http://www.soilmender.com/products/b_sm_cik.php

Northwesterner

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1079 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

or you can buy the regular DE and buy a puffer. I found one for a few dollars at Redenta's.

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1079 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

again, I don't think DE will do anything to beetles but hot pepper spray or orange oil spray would.

northwesterner · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 153 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

I use DE for ants, and to keep some of the caterpillar types out of the veggie garden. I'm still new at it, and couldn't find a puffer at first, so I bought a soft plastic condiment bottle (like for ketchup or mustard). It doesn't work very well, gobs of DE tend to be the norm with that. I'll keep my eyes open for the puffer.

Thanks!

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1079 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

I also use a flour sifter when I want to cover a large portion of the plant. Just don't do it when it's windy.

8piecebox · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject:

Soilmender DE is the way to go -- and no, it doesn't work on my Japanese beetles -- I've simply been pulling them off my destroyed Hollyhocks and stomping them without mercy -- I bought some Milky Spore but didn't get it down in time, but I'm still going to put it down -- perhaps it will stop the white grubs from infesting the lawn, attracting raccoons and skunks...

I did buy some nematodes, but the delivery truck left the box on my front porch in the sun and when I got home, the gel packs were completely soft and warm, and I am assuming the worms were roasted to death -- I stuck them in the fridge to keep them cool, but I am betting they're toast

It's up to the milky spore and more foot stomping.

8piecebox · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

sandih wrote: again, I don't think DE will do anything to beetles but hot pepper spray or orange oil spray would.

Sandih, have you actually used an orange oil spray to kill Japanese beetles? If so, would you mind divulging the formula you used?

Thanks!

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1079 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

I have other pest issues but don't have any japanese beetles in my garden. If you use orange oil put only 1 oz per gallon. It kills good and bad bugs on contact so be careful what you spray.