Postal Customer
Ottumwa Publishing
641-208-5505
ottumwapost.com
•••••JULY 10, 2024•••••
A Constant Battle Co-habitation with nature is not without some challenges. My wife and I attempt to grow some things near the house that are native to the area, such as tomato plants or hibiscus flowers. Neither are very exotic plants, but they do draw unusual attention from the local fauna. Our tomato plants are doing very well and are just starting to produce. There is nothing we enjoy more than a fresh garden tomato sandwich with homemade bacon. We become quite possessive of our tomato plants. A couple of days ago while checking the plants, my wife discovered a Japanese beetle eating on one of the leaves. Without hesitation, war was declared. I had a beetle trap left over from last year which I immediately placed in a tree some distance from the tomatoes. The trap consists of a sturdy gallon bag with a funnel at the top. Pheromone is placed at the top to attract the beetles. They land on the funnel and slip into the bag where they cannot escape. The trap needs to (Outdoors cont’d on pg 4)