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Extension Notes

to provide materials and a water source as well as back-up safety to the spraying crews. Typically, spraying operations should have little impact on traffic flow on state roadways as the work is done from the shoulder and side slopes of the roadside. Motorists are urged to use caution and slow down if they see an invasive species spraying operation at work.

For more information on the plants categorized as invasive for Missouri by the MDC, please visit https://mdc.mo.gov/treesplants/invasive-plants.

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by University of Missouri Extension

Japanese Beetles And How To Control

‘Tis the season to start scouting for the Japanese beetle and the damage they do to so many vegetables and ornamental plants.

I receive questions about these highly destructive beetles every year. If you have not seen them before or not sure if they are in your yard, Japanese beetle are 7/16-inch-long, metallic green with copper-brown wing covers.

Kathi Mecham, Field Specialist in Horticulture, MU Extension

Japanese beetles spend most of their life cycle underground as c-shaped white grubs. They emerge in early to mid-June as adult beetles. The beetles feed on host plants, they mate, and females lay eggs in the soil within a 30–60day period and most adult beetles are gone by mid-August. The eggs hatch in 7-14 days and the grubs feed on grass roots until October. The beetles over-winter below the soil surface and the cycle starts all over again in the spring.

Traps are often advertised as a control method for Japanese beetles. There are several different control methods, but traps are not usually recommended. There is a good chance the traps will bring in beetles from a greater distance outside the resident’s yard. Not all beetles will end up in the trap and they will land on any nearby plants you may be trying to protect and damage the foliage, blossoms, or fruit. If you decide a trap is the best option, place it at least 100 feet away from any desired plants. The traps will also need to be emptied frequently by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water. I have talked to folks that used traps and because the traps attracted so many beetles they had to be emptied daily. The traps attracted more than that captured so the surrounding plants were damaged anyway. They did not use traps as a control method the following year.

When you are checking your plants for the beetles, if you see any pick them off and drop them in a container of soapy water. I start my day early in the morning with soapy water in hand headed to the garden looking for beetles as I check on the progress of the flowers and vegetables in my yard. Japanese beetles have some favorite plants, but they will go after almost anything if the preferred plants are unavailable. Avoid planting knock-out roses, crape myrtle and other non-native species that the beetles are particularly attracted to. Instead, plant native species to encourage beneficial insects to the garden and discourage invasives insects like the Japanese beetle.

Covering plants with light-weight netting is also an option for protecting plants from the Japanese beetles. Wait until pollination is complete before covering plants.

There are organic insecticides, broad spectrum insecticides, and systemic insecticides that can be used for control. There are pros and cons to all three. Researching them to determine what is the best option for your situation is the most important thing you can do. It is also important to read the label to make sure the product is listed for control of Japanese beetles and make sure the insecticide is safe for the plant being sprayed.

Bottom line, I do not recommend traps for most situations, if a chemical approach is used read the label and or call me or the field specialist in horticulture near you for help in determining the best method and product for your situation. I do recommend early scouting, dropping the beetle in soapy water and avoid planting species the beetle is very attracted to.

Contact me with any questions about Japanese beetles or other gardening and horticulture topics. mechamk@missouri.edu or call 660-542-1792.

Southside Farm Club

Judith Urich hosted the Southside Farm club June 21, 2023 at her rural home. Ten members and three guests including Amelia Schachtsietz and sons, Evan and Noah of rural Monroe City were present.

After a carry-in lunch, president Janice Belvel conducted the business meeting. Marie Dolan won the hostess gift. Club reports were presented and cards were signed. Plans were discussed for a “field trip” in the fall. The members decided to attend the Maples Repertory Theatre production of “Barefoot in the Park” in Macon for the November meeting. The mystery gift was guessed by Peggy Graves. Mrs. Urich presented a program on patriotism and memories of the Fourth of July. Members shared tales of celebrations past - family picnics, games and fireworks, and homemade icecream.

July’s meeting will be hosted by Jacky Mack.

Laredo News

Carol Wilford

Steve Persell drove Bonna Dittberner to Eagen, MN, to the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Gary Harbo, on Thursday, June 1. Then they all drove up 2 1/2 miles north to Brainerd, MN, where they met other family members, making a total of 23 in all, to enjoy time together at the Brainerd Lake Resort area. Steve brought Bonna home on Saturday, June 10.

Weekend guests at Charles and Vickie Bowe’s house were Clark, Valerie, Chloe, and C.J. Sheckells of Kansas City; Clint, Amy, Abigail, Addison, and Alyssa Bowe of Maryville. They all attended the Annual Bowe Fish Fry at Moberly Park on Saturday, June 17. On Sunday, they celebrated Alyssa’s sixth birthday at the Laredo Community Center. On Wednesday, June 21, Charles and Vickie attended Catelin Bowe’s basketball game at Galt High School. Then Hannah Bowe and her sister, Catelin, along with Clark and Valerie Sheckells, ate lunch

P.E.O. Chapter AD Receives Membership Honors

The Missouri State P.E.O. Membership Committee has awarded P.E.O. Chapter AD, Trenton two honors for its membership efforts from March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023. Chapter AD received the Inspiring Award for growing its chapter by six members. Chapter AD also received the Celebrating Award for having no inactive members.

in at Charles’ and Vickie’s home. Vickie and her sister, Mary Binney of Lee’s Summit visited their mother, Jean Hughes on Sunday, Monday, and on Thursday.

Justin Reeter and sons, Carson, Kyrian, Caden and Korbin took a trip to Springfield and spent time in Fantastic Caverns on June 12-13. It is Missouri’s only drive-through cave; and they road in a red jeep through the cave. Another adventure they enjoyed was driving through the Wild Safari in Stafford, MO, which is about 13 miles northeast of Springfield.

Mary Gonzalez and sons, Sammy, Joshua, and Andrew of Kansas City, KS, came to visit Dan and Carol Wilford on June 2425. The boys went fishing with their grandpa and caught a total of 30 fish in the Wilford’s pond. The smaller fish were thrown back into the pond. Mary and the boys attended First Baptist Church, Milan, with Dan and Carol, then ate at Jackson’s Place afterwards.

www.republican-times.com

The Grand River Garden Club recently finished June education month for its members. At right, members were instructed with gardening seeds, plants, and canning tips by Trenton’s Loretta Ray. Members learned from the speaker’s years of experience in the garden.

At top, members also learned about different plants and flower garden tips from Lenny and Lisa Anderson at their home garden tour. Members viewed different plantings, both in the ground and in pots. The Andersons answered many questions about types of plants and planting. Pictured are, from left, members Marilyn Bain, Dorothy Taul, Linda Lamp, Doris Provorse and guest, Marjorie Keuhn.

The P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Trenton Area Calendar of Events

FRIDAY

Church Women United Thrift Shop, 17th & Harris, noon to 4 p.m.

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m. For more information, call 359-2704.

North 65 Center: Line Dancers, 9:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Church Women United Thrift Shop, 17th & Harris, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grief Share Self-Help Group, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m.

Grundy County Museum open 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Fly-in Breakfast, Trenton Municipal Airport, 7 a.m.

SUNDAY

Narcotics Anonymous, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 4 p.m. Grundy County Museum open 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

MONDAY

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, 6 p.m. For more information, call 359-2704 or 3572367.

MI Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 2901 Hoover Drive, 7 p.m.

North 65 Center: Line Dancers, 9:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.

Trenton Fireworks Display, Rock Barn at dusk.

TUESDAY

Trenton Lions Club, First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, noon.

Domestic Violence/Anger Management Group, North Central Missouri Mental Health Center, 7 to 9 p.m.

Spickard Coffee Club, Wise Community Center, 8 a.m. North 65 Center: Closed for Independence Day.

WEDNESDAY

North 65 Center: Token Bingo and Cards, 12:30 p.m.

Green Hills Alcoholics Anonymous, Tenth Street Baptist Church, noon. For more information, call 359-2704 or 3572367.

Class of 1959 Lunch at Senior Center at 11:30 a.m.

THURSDAY

Trenton Rotary Club, BTC Bank Community Room, noon.

North 65 Center: Cards, 12:30 p.m.; Early Bird Bingo, 6:00 p.m.; Regular Bingo, 6:30 p.m.

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