Yes, the number of honey bees is much improved this year even more than last year! Last year I noticed the bees were only actively buzzing around the native flowers, but not visiting the garden much at all! I'm not sure why?? This year it's nice to see so many more of them in the garden.
I'm with you concerning pesticides!! It seems people are so willing to run for the round-up and other chemicals without even considering the effects on the "Good bugs" or other wildlife like the birds. I've read many articles about how pesticides are definitely linked to colony collapse disorder, among other disgusting effects on produce from corporate farms. Not to mention how GMO's are now a part of the food chain!
I haven't seen any Japanese beetles here to date; but the flea beetles are rampant eating many leaves, especially from the eggplants.
Attracting beneficial insects seems to be a good way to keep the pests in check.
Parasitic wasps and flies are natural enemies of the Japanese beetle.
Lacewings and Ladybugs two predators of the red spider mite.
Big-Eyed-Bugs, Geocoris spp. is another predator. I wish I had another solution right now?? Maybe if you applied some diatomacious earth directly on the leaves that are infested. I used this method on plants with aphids being farmed by ants. In 24 hours the aphids and ants were gone and never returned to date! I was amazed!
But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could attract these beneficial insects to the garden; since the beneficials have favorite plants they are drawn to?
In the meantime, soapy spray and hand removal seems to be working a little bit. I had an outbreak of squash beetles in the garden this spring but haven't seen any this past week.... maybe I actually got them all!! Or that strange looking bug I haven't identified has a liking for them?
There are plants that we can include in our garden that attract these beneficials. I will put something together to help us all out.
Yes, I am determined to put a list together!!
