Q.Beetles eat Impatiens
For the last 3 years, Japanese beetles have eaten my Impatiens right down to a stalk! I am tired of getting my flowers to look beautiful and within 1-2 weeks the beetles eat them all! Very expensive too! What do you suggest? I live in mid Michigan. I plant end of May or first of June. Beetles seem to eat my plants at end of July or first of August.
One thing to remember about using organic controls (soap, oil, etc.) is that you'll have best results if you use multiple applications. Organics work mainly be suffocating the bugs, so even though the adults are killed, when eggs hatch, you've got more bugs. By spraying once a week for 3,4, or more weeks, depending on the specie of bug, you eventually kill all the adults before they have a chance to lay more eggs, and thus you eventually get rid of all the bugs. At least until some new ones move in.
I tried spraying plants with insecticide for beetles, first yea. Second year Tried spraying with Dawn dish soap. Third year I P made sure that we treated lawn for grubs. I was looking at the neem oil. Glad to see you recommend it.
You didn't mention what you might have tried to stop the beetles. Many people like Neem oil; here is an article that explains how to use it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
However, you might want to use something else besides impatiens. This article will suggest some alternatives: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
