May 31, 2006
 
The month of May was, for the most part, cool and relatively dry. As a 
result the spring flowering perennials have been beautiful. The cold 
night temperatures and the threat of frost last week delayed the 
planting of tender vegetables and annuals for many gardeners. But the 
warm weather is back with milder nights. There is plenty of time to set 
out flowers, tomatoes and peppers now that the soil is warm enough.
Rainfall has been unreliable this spring, with prolonged dry spells 
more 
typical of summer. Keep an eye on plants showing signs of stress. They 
will be more prone to insect damage. Aphids and caterpillars are active 
now. And hot dry weather is favorable for spider mites. Monitor your 
landscape plants regularly so that problem insects can be treated before they get out of hand.
June is the month when bagworm larvae become active. The eggs hatch 
usually by mid-month and the tiny larvae begin feeding on leaves of 
trees and shrubs. This insect is commonly found on arborvitae, spruce 
and juniper. Damage often goes unnoticed until limbs are severely 
damaged and the telltale ‘bags’ show up hanging from the branches. By 
then it is too late to apply insecticide. The bags are similar in 
appearance to little pinecones. The caterpillar actually makes the bag 
around itself using bits of leaves. Once complete it attaches to a 
branch where it will stay until the following year unless it is 
physically removed. The insect can be treated while the larvae are 
small, before the bags are formed. If you have trees or shrubs that had 
bagworm last year plan to use an insecticide this month to prevent 
further damage.
Certain insects and the possible damage they may cause often concern 
gardeners. But more gardeners are also concerned about using 
insecticides. It takes experience and sometimes a little research to 
learn the good bugs from the bad. And unfortunately those pesticides 
usually kill the good ones along with the bad.
Assessing the amount of damage can help in making a decision on how to 
treat a pest. If only a small percentage of the plant is being affected 
the choice may be to leave it be or just prune out the piece that is of 
concern. Check to see if any beneficial insects are also on the plant. 
For example ladybugs will eat aphids and there are many species of 
wasps 
that will parasitize caterpillars. Let them take care of the job for 
you. Once you see a large population of insects damaging a greater 
percentage of the plant then you can start thinking about stronger 
control measures.
I’m often asked how to eliminate bees or wasps from around the home or 
garden, or if I can suggest any plants that won’t attract them. My 
answer is to discourage them from trying to eliminate these insects, 
since they are our allies. We all learned in science class the 
important 
role that bees play in the pollination of plants. They are essential 
for 
certain food crops and flowers in the formation of fruit and seed. 
Wasps 
are also beneficial as predators of many species of insect pests. 
Unless 
their hives or nests are located in an inappropriate spot such as by 
the 
entryway to your home or by the children’s play area try not to 
eliminate them.
Honeybees, one of the more important pollinators, have been declining 
recently because of certain species of mites infecting their hives. 
These bees are also killed by the pesticide Sevin that is used 
frequently to eliminate beetles and caterpillars. Never spray a 
pesticide on plants when bees are present.
When you are working or playing in garden areas when bees are active a 
little prevention will help you avoid an unpleasant encounter. The bees 
are hard at work and more interested in the flowers than with you. Try 
not to disturb them or confuse them. Wear light colored clothing; they 
are attracted to dark colors. Avoid wearing colognes, hairspray and 
other scented products. Position children’s play areas away from the 
flowerbeds or vegetable garden. And if bees or wasps become a problem 
around the pool try providing an alternate source of water such as a 
birdbath in another section of the yard.
Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the 
Nursery 
Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op. Questions and comments can be sent to 
bethtanical@patmedia.net <mailto:bethtanical@patmedia.net> 
<mailto:bethtanical@patmedia.net>