Treat pests right or pay the price
by Steve Mayer

Squash bugs, bagworms, beetles and grubs. With so many potentially damaging critters in your lawn and garden, it’s important to know which ones to treat and how. While insecticides are a must for controlling some pests, a healthy ant population can keep others in check. Also, know just when to treat clover infestations and nutsedge tubers to maintain a lush lawn all season.

First week

  • As you plan your garden, find out when plants bloom. Begin to visit local public gardens now to find out about summer flowering plants.
  • Check plants weekly in June for newly hatched bagworms. If you find them, use a biological insecticide such as Bt or spinosad. (E-27)
  • Apply organic mulches to your vegetable garden. Organic mulches applied earlier in cooler soils slow plant growth. (HO-32)
  • Use glyphosate to control Canada thistle in landscape beds after the first flower buds are formed but before the first flowers open.
Second week
  • Mimosa webworm caterpillars attack honeylocust trees. Treat at the first sign of webbing and brown leaves. (E-11)
  • Use Manage (halosulfuron) or Basagran (bentazon) this month to control yellow nutsedge in the lawn before more tubers form and worsen the problem. Control may take multiple years. (AGRY-98-04)
  • Check squash and pumpkin plants regularly for clusters of tiny brown squash bug eggs. Use an insecticide after eggs hatch if you find one or more masses per plant. (E-30, E-21)
Third week
  • Research shows that natural ant populations can control white grubs and other soil insects. Therefore, do not treat lawns for ants unless absolutely necessary. (E-22)
  • For squash vine borer problems, use two insecticide sprays a week apart, beginning when vines start to run. (E-30, E-21)
  • Begin weekly checks for Japanese beetles. Pick off and destroy early arriving beetles and initial foliage damage to help reduce chances of injury. (E-75)
Fourth week
  • If rhubarb plants are older than four years, you can harvest up to eight to 10 weeks if weak, spindly leaf stalks do not appear. Then stop harvesting and fertilize. (HO-97)
  • White clover becomes more visible when flowering. Fertilizing in September and November helps to control clover infestations. (AY-9)
  • Annual flowers may need additional fertilizer applications every four to six weeks. (HO-99)
Mayer is a horticulture educator with Purdue Extension of Marion County. The numbers in parentheses in the calendar entries refer to related Purdue Extension publications. To obtain the publications, contact the Extension Office at 275-9292, e-mail marionmg@purdue.edu or visit ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/menu.htm.

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