Viewing post #812438 by crowrita1

Jane, I use a "mixed approach"......I clean the beds in the fall, and "burn " them......(.I feel this gets rid of most of the eggs laid directly in the bed area), I make a spray/ drench application of Bayer Long Season Grub Control in early spring (probably another week, or so) It's systemic ,and supposed to last 2-3 months, depending on rainfall amounts, in 'late summer (about the end of July) I spray the reblooming iris plants with BT (bacillus thuricide),and the "regular" iris with another dose of the Bayer product. ( I use the BT on the rebloomers because it's a bit more "bee friendly", and it's the late summer/fall iris blossoms that draw the bees(spring bloomdoesn't seem to attract them too much...I guess there is plenty of blooms they like better ).....and everyday, on my walk-a-bout, I try to keep my eye open for any borer activity, and do a squish ,if I see any (I haven't seen any in the 4 years we've been at this property...but I know they are in the area...We had them years ago, at the other house, and our neighbor has a small bed that is always INFESTED with borer!).....anyway....that "system " has worked for me, seeming to give me good borer control, while "mitigating" the danger to the bee population (we keep bees, ourselves)........I have used beneficial nematodes, one season ,on one bed, and, there was no sign of borer, but It was (I thought") quite expensive. The amount of bed area I have now , would be VERY expensive to treat with the nematodes(over 2500 sq. ft.)