Thanks Susan for the link.
That is pretty persuasive about neem oil, and it makes me feel much more optimistic.Do you think the oil blocks the pores of the plants? It seems the plan would be to spray late in the evening, to let the neem dry, and as a by product the mini chompers are likely to be out and about. I found the earwigs specialise in chomping on dahlias that were not the single /misc type, ie: they loved cactus and all the multi petalled ones, and oftentimes there would be a caterpillar grazing as well. I am beginning to not like killing anything in the garden though.................except weevils and their grubs.
I think I will capture a weevil or two and see whether it does a job on them. I get issues with the weevil grubs chewing on my heucheras and primulas some times.
Thanks Arlene, and for the fine dahlia as well, makes me think of summer again. The busy season is nearly upon us, and Trish and Dave are already podcasting about seed planting.
Been a mild winter, all but the polar vortex.
