1. Japanese Beetles - we are having fewer numbers of Japanese Beetles this summer due to the drought and heat of last summers season. Even though the numbers are lower, when you have them in your garden, more than one is too many. They can cause heavy damage to the leaves of plants primarily in the rose family, including roses, grapes, raspberries, crabapples and lindens. Best controls are systemic insecticides that stay in the leaves even after rainfall.
Bayer Advanced brand Rose & Flower Insect Killer in a 24 ounce ready to use spray bottle is $9.99 and uses Imidacloprid as the active ingredient Bayer Advanced 3 in 1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control in a 24 ounce ready to use spray bottle is $14.99 and covers 32 roses that are 3 feet x 3 feet or the ready to spray hose end connector that covers 192 roses; both use Imidacloprid as the insecticide, Tebuconizole as the fungicide and Tau-Fluvalinate as the miticide. Spray every 14 days for systemic control Eight is a contact insecticide that provides 3-5 weeks of residual control using Permethrin as the active Espoma Earth-Tone Insect Control is an Earth-friendly natural spray that needs to be sprayed once per week or more. It is safe to use on edible plants up the day before harvest. It uses pyrethrin and canola oil, both organically grown. It is a 24 ounce spray bottle for $9.99.2. After Japanese Beetles come the juvenile form, the grub that feeds on the roots of the plants, mostly turfgrasses, but also woody trees and shrubs. The best control this time of year is the liquid spray forms of Imidacloprid. Bayer Advanced ready to spray hose end attachment with 32 ounces for 5,000 sq, feet at $32.99. Use now for the best control.
3. Rabbits cause thousands of dollars of damage to landscape plants. The best control is fencing the plants that are being damaged. The next best control are the sprays that protect with smell or taste:
Liquid Fence Rabbit Control Spray is formulated to repel baby rabbits that do not have a sense of smell or taste. It comes with a money-back warranty. It has a stronger capsasin component to repel even the babies. $24.99 for a 24 ounce spray bottle. It stays on the plants for 60 days. it contains egg white solids, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, and paprika. PlantSkydd means "plant protection". It is derived from bovine and porcine blood that is sterilized. When allowed to dry for 48 hours, it remains on the plant for 60 to 90 days. The liquid comes in a 24 ounce spray bottle. It is one of the best. Bonide brand Repels-All comes in a 4 ounce spray bottle for $19.99. It remains on the plants for 60 days after drying for 24 to 60 days. It contains dried blood, Egg white solids, garlic, Acetic acid (vinegar), cloves, Fish oil, meat meal, Onions, Seaweed, Vanilin, and wintergreen oil.4. Slugs eat the leaves of plants in shade area or moist soil areas, leaving holes in the center of the leaves creating a swiss cheese appearance. The older controls containing metaldehyde are toxic to small mammals so the more popular slug baits are:
Sluggo containing Iron Phosphate. It is non-toxic to birds and pets. It causes the slugs and snails to lose their appetites so that they stop eating immediately It is designed to last 4 weeks. If the slug populations are higher, it is recommended to treat every 2 weeks. One teaspoon is all that is needed per one square yard. Being easy to see, it is recommended to be replaced every 2 weeks. Sluggo Plus has an earth-friendly insect and slug control product also. It contains Iron Phosphate and an organically derived insecticide called Spinosad that kills the appetite after the insect ingests it. Reapply monthly.