Letter: A Jar of Soapy Water and 100 Japanese Beetles a Day
A reader responds to Japanese beetle coverage with a field report: cupped hands, tipped leaves and a morning tally of about 100.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Peter Middleton’s comments about the invasion of Japanese Beetles in the Owen Sound Current struck a sour note with me.
Every morning (and most evenings) I wield my jar of soapy water to collect a batch of the devious Japanese beetle that has invaded our precious raspberry bushes.
I have learned to cup one hand over the top to prevent the beetle from escaping through flight.
I have learned to place the jar directly underneath the beast to capture the ones that use the “roll and tumble” stunt.
I sometimes gently tip the leaf hoping they will tumble easily into my clutches.
The most troublesome ones, however, are the beasts that cling onto the leaf using all extremities and forcing me to scrape them towards the jar without crushing and releasing more of the dreaded pheromones.
On bountiful days, I collect about 100. With diligent management, I collect half that.
I’m a lion tamer gardener using a feather.
Donna Phillips
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.