chill ...

populations ebb and flow .. year by year .... there is nothing you can do about it... you have to come to some kind of zen rationalization about such ...

a few years back.. we were invaded by ladybugs ... in your hair .. the house.. all winter long.... two years later ... couldnt find one if i wanted to .. there was nothing i could do ... nor was it necessary ...

listen .. the world does not begin nor end at your property line.. you can completely nuke your yard ... and it will make not one bit of difference .. if your entire county is covered by the eight plague of the bible ... ergo .. the zen attitude ...

please .. contact your county agent.. Ag Agent ... and speak to them about the reality of the plague.. and stop using chemicals on a problem that is NOT fixable ... or maybe the professional will have better recommendations ...

good luck

ken

Uh huh, what Ken said.

Plus, doesn't Milky Spore take years to become noticably effective (if it is even noticable)?

To answer your question about Sevin, etc. The contact pesticides work only when the insect comes into physical contact with the product while it is still wet or present on the plant. Sevin dust remains effective longer than a liquid. Yes, those insecticides are extremely hazardous to non target insects and other organisms that may come into contact with them. Systemic products can harm insects and animals that use collect nectar and/or pollen. Soil applied insecticides (and other chemicals) can be very harmful to earthworms, and other beneficial critters.

Have you investigated the use of Neem for the control of JBs? I've heard very good reports. I don't have any personal experience with it....my neighbor has the same kind of plants as you, so I don't have any beetle activity in my yard, lol.

I guess my particular solution will be to slowly but surely replace the plants that attract them....with plants that do not...if such a thing exists...
If anyone knows of a plant (flowering) that they won't eat...pls let me know.
Thanks
Sue