BLOG: Japanese Beetles Are Getting All the Attention Now … But Wait, There’s More!

If you’re a gardener you’ve probably been paying attention to the recent news about Japanese Beetles. But this little guy is just one of many pests that can wreak havoc in your garden and lawn. There are also pests and diseases that can harm or kill your trees.

For sure, Japanese Beetle season is now and they’ve become more and more of a problem in Eagan over the past few years. There are several ways to treat them and lots of resources (see a link to one blog below) where you can learn more about their treatment and prevention.

At the micro level is, as an example, the Japanese Beetle. But at the macro level is the health and well being of all of your plant life; your gardens, lawn, shrubs and trees. It’s a fact that in Minnesota our plant life is affected by a wide range of insects and diseases, some of which can kill off plant life and even trees.

One example is oak wilt, which can damage oak trees especially when there’s a lot of heat and little rain (as in now!) Another example is Dutch elm disease which will, in almost all cases, kill the elm tree quickly once the fungus gets hold. Yet another is the grub, which you won’t see but can kill your grass.

The tricky part is, different insects and diseases have different lifecycles and different times of the year when they are emerging, active, laying eggs or burrowing. Some may not kill plant life or trees, but some do. Treatments to prevent or get rid of the pests or diseases vary in terms of timing and methods.

So, how do you manage the ongoing juggling act of prevention and treatment? Some homeowners who really pay attention to plant health care are able to do a lot of the diagnostic and treatment work themselves. But many homeowners just don’t have the time to be on top of the ongoing rotation of work. And some treatments (for Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer, for example) should be performed by licensed professionals.

So, do you handle your plant health care yourself, or call in a pro? Are the chemical treatments you can buy at the store as effective as what the pros use?

In researching treatment for a Japanese Beetle problem at our home I ran across a blog by S&S Tree and Landscaping, and I also called them to ask about diagnosing and treating our plant life, which is really varied. They told me that they have a lot of customers who they visit several times a year as part of a plant health care program, to deal with this “rotation” of insect and disease prevention.

I asked them whether I can do this prevention myself. I wasn’t surprised to learn that the application methods they use can’t be done by the homeowner, and that the chemicals they use are typically higher grade than what I could can get at a garden store.

What I did not know was, their staff who apply treatments are certified pesticide applicators, and the records of all treatments are kept according to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. They said they have three types of treatments: Spray, soil injection and trunk injection. I certainly wouldn’t even think of trying an “injection” on one of my trees!

In talking to S&S I also learned that it’s nearly impossible to totally eradicate most pests, but you can keep them in check if you’re on top of the problems on an ongoing basis from spring to fall. You also have to know a lot about the lifecycles of the pests so you can treat them as they lay eggs or burrow, or are emerging in the spring. That’s a lot to keep on top of. The better professional companies have certified arborists on staff who can give you a lot of advice and help when it comes to diagnoses and treatments.

Here’s a link to the blog I mentioned on Japanese Beetles. Among other things it covers what plants will attract, and detract, the beetle.

So, taking good care of your plant life, lawn and trees is more than reacting to the bug-of-the month! If you have the passion, time and energy to manage your plant life it can be a fulfilling pastime. Remember, though, that some tasks are best left to the pros.