We are having and are about to have some additional insects infestations. The weather conditions are helping to create some of the problems and are holding off others.
1. Honeybees – we are having a very big swarm season across the state. Remember that there is a listing of beekeepers by area of the state on the Web site under bees and wasp, Honeybee removal and swarm collection. If you have a beekeeper who is interested in adding his name to his list, have him send me the information as it is listed on the site and he can be added in about 24 hours. Figure 1.
2. June bugs – I know it’s not June yet, but the populations are dynamic and are causing several problems. The adult beetles are foliage feeders and will strip the young growth from trees, especially pecan, hickory and several fruit trees. Sprays with Sevin in late afternoon on the foliage of trees that are being damaged will help stop the defoliation. The immature forms need to be addressed as well because they can damage your grass or turf. Check for the white grubs by cutting three sides of a one-square-foot piece of sod and peal it back. If you find five or more grubs, treatment is recommended. Controls include Mach 2 (a growth regulator), Merit or Sevin. If the June bugs are not controlled, you can have problems with opossums, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and moles digging up your lawns, fairways and gardens to find them. Figure 2.
3. Mole crickets – Heavy populations have been observed in several areas, and they can cause damage by tunneling the grass or vegetable or flower plants and will be dug up by the same group listed above as a food source. Talstar, Merit and Top or Chipco Choice and Advion are the best materials on the market. Use what is available and apply in the late afternoon about dusk. Figure3.
4. Love bugs – I’m sure in the last few weeks you have seen a few of these little pests flying around. This is one spot where the weather has been good. Although we have had a few showers, the weather has been cool, and this has kept them down. Once the weather warms and it rains, we can expect to see many more to these little flying menaces. Remember to keep your radiator clean once you go through a heavy population to prevent overheating. To remove them from your windows and cars, wet them good and use a wet fabric softener sheet to gently rub them off, then rinse. Keep your window washer full of a good cleaner to help wash them off as you drive. Figure 4.
5. Carpenter bees – These pollinators have been working overtime drilling holes in anything unpainted and occasionally in painted structures. One lady told me, “I have sawdust everywhere.” These little pests can be managed by treating the wood surfaces and the holes with a pyrethroid-and-soap mixture. The material should be applied late in the afternoon because many of the bees return to the holes at night and this is a good way to be rid of them. After using the insecticide, get either Tim-bor or Bora- Cur and treat the wood. Wet the wood and then spray the borate formulation on the wood, let it dry and repeat the application. This pulls the crystals of the material into the wood and prevents the carpenter bees from boring in. Figure 5.
6. Box elder bugs – A large population of this insect has been noted in several parishes. The immature are bright red with legs and mouth parts that are dark blue to black. They are usually found en masse on trees, homes and shrubs. They cause little injury to the trees but are more of a problem when they enter homes and defecate on furniture and drapes. The stain is hard to remove. They can be washed off walls outdoors with water and if needed can be sprayed with a pyrethroid to manage them. Figure 6.
7. Pine colaspsis – These little golden beetles about the size of cucumber beetle are foliage feeders on pines and cypress. They eat along the edge of the needles and leaves and produce a sculptured effect, sort of like when one eats a slice of watermelon. The problem is this damage is not noted until late August when the needles and foliage turn a rusty reddish-brown and appear scorched. Many people think the trees are dying and have them cut down. But if you check the cambial layer you will find they are very much alive. After a good watering and a little fertilizer, they will resprout. The biggest problem with these beetles is the nuisance they are when populations are massive. In these situations they get on people and fly indoors by the hundreds when the door is opened, making themselves an aggravation for the homeowner. Figure 7.
8. Salt marsh caterpillars – Wooly bears – Whatever you call them, just watch they don’t eat your plants or crops in the field. A few years ago we had a dry spring, and these caterpillars ate down several soybean fields looking for moisture. Young plants just getting stated are prime targets as well as ornamentals, vegetable and weeds. The caterpillars come in a variety of colors from tan to black and black-and-orange or black-and-tan. When weather conditions are hot and dry, their normal food sources dry up, and they will feed on a variety of plant materials. Be on the watch. They even like onions and garlic. Where populations are noted, sprays with a pyrethroid will manage the population. Figure 8.
Until next month,
Dale
[Image: bee removal]
[Image: June bugs]
[Image: moole crickets]
[Image: love bug and injury]
[Image: wood pest] | [Image: box elder bug]
[Image: beetle and damage]
[Image: caterpillars]
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