I have been killing cabbage worms for several weeks now, dealing death twice a day — morning and evening — to the munching green worms of cabbage destruction. I had been crushing the green worms under my thumb. Okay, just the tiny ones. I'm too squeamish to crush the big ones. They get tossed far away or ground under foot.
Today, however, I saw the summer's first Japanese beetles in my garden, and that required a new plan.
I had half-hearted-ly tried to control them in previous years, but this year, with my renewed beautiful veggie garden in their new raised beds and my mom's phlox and other flowers from her garden transplanted to my garden.
It was time to get serious, and preferably without chemicals.
Later I will apply nematodes and milky spore to go after the next generation when in their grub stage, but for now I have opted for the bucket of death, which I am pleased to say looks an awful lot like this bucket. I put a few inches of water and some dish soap into my trusty blue bucket, gloved up, and went off to wage war, up close and personal.
Before, the death I dealt to my insect foes was quick, but now I deal in drowning, and it is surprisingly satisfying, yet also a little disturbing. I try not to look too closely as my captured foes go to their watery graves. I dropped cabbage worms into soapy suds, shook beetles from flower petals, and even knocked one right out of the air and into the bucket as it was flying. I stood vigilant and quiet, surveyed the battle field for the enemy, learned to identify the flight style and patterns of the beetle versus bees and wasps. Even scolded a bee for getting annoyed at my presence. Listen, bee, I'm defending your food source. Get out of my way.
The Japanese beetles are not getting my mom's phlox.
That's really all I have to say about it.
The mostly flower side of my garden, including the echinacea and phlox that Japanese beetles do love.
The mostly veggie side of the garden.
Isn't it satisfying how you can hold the bucket under the beetles, wave your hand threateningly over their airspace, and watch them drop cooperatively into the bucket?
Love using that little evasive maneuver to my advantage!
Posted by: Jenn | July 17, 2011 at 11:13 PM
I, too, get disturbed by drowning the many beetles. When picking them off one by one, I quickly decapitate them with my thumbnail, thinking this is a merciful death - but it's not practical where there are dozens.
I don't hold it against the beetles - it's not their fault they got transplanted here. People are. They're just doing what they do, as are all the other critters nibbling on my plants. They all deserve as merciful a death as possible... but alas, I cannot always give it.
But when it comes to choosing between bugs and plants... it's pretty easy.
Posted by: Erin Darling | July 17, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I hate Japanese beetles! It's a constant race between them and my daughter to pick her favorite black raspberries. Nice to see you blogging again Lisa. Hope to see you soon at the Wednesday pilot market :)
Posted by: Warda | July 18, 2011 at 09:30 AM
I've found the Japanese Beetles in flagrante with multiple amours on a single, innocent grape leaf. Their soapy doom teaches them an object lesson. i used to crush the little dears, between thumb and forefinger, or with some handy pliers, but that distracting crack-squish effect was a little more vivid than I liked. As you say, milky spore. It propagates over the years, so one pattern banging the stick on the ground should do you forever.
Posted by: Jack Etsweiler | July 18, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Go get 'em Lisa!!! There are some particularly evil biting flies in the jungle that we regularly set fire to - much to the horror one season of a newby student (vegetarian) who felt that all creatures should live long and healthy lives - until she spent a couple hours being attacked by these damn things. Then we couldn't get the Bic away from her as she roasted every one she could reach! Oh yeah! Reality strikes again!
Posted by: Julie Saul | July 18, 2011 at 03:07 PM
I am hoping you can help me get the word out about the first Dearborn Underground Market will happen September 23 at the First Baptist Church of Dearborn 1865 Nowlin Street, Dearborn, MI 48124! If you or someone you know would like to be a vendor at this event please contact me. [email protected]. If you need more information check out our facebook page or contact me directly. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Joan | August 22, 2011 at 06:44 PM
It is nice to see someone else who tries to get rid of bugs without chemicals, although at times the bugs can be very frustrating. Last year some sort of beetle killed my squash plants, so I can understand why you need to get these pesty bugs off your cabbage. Best of luck.
Kelli (eruditeeats)
Posted by: Kelli | August 23, 2011 at 12:20 PM
I disagree with you Kelli,even I've tried to get rid of bugs without chemicals but I've seen my efforts gone in vain and the Japanese beetles are big suckers. It's difficult to get rid of them sometimes without chemicals but I will try the chemical free method suggested in this blog and see what happens. Will post my results.
Posted by: Wendy | September 29, 2011 at 02:39 PM
You could use water with a tinge of soap and spray it in your plants to kill the insects in your garden.
Posted by: dentist kansas city | November 17, 2011 at 09:37 PM
You can buy praying mantis's from garden centers which do a great job of ridding insects now.
Posted by: Amy @ Perfect Meatloaf | November 28, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I'm pleased to see you're taking good care of your garden. I really like the way you managing everything. Just keep up updating helpful information. Thanks
Posted by: John Shelly | March 08, 2012 at 08:33 AM
your garden looks amazing you taking good care of it
lovely!
Posted by: shal | June 27, 2012 at 03:03 AM