Pest Of The Year - What's Buggin' You?

[bp fick]

Every year it's something. Part of rural life. Last year we had tent caterpillars that were insane. We taped the trees. It works very well. The drop down because of the heat of the day, but re-climb the tree in the afternoon to de-foliate by night. This year? Almost absent, although they'd moved 30 miles north and are eating everything they can.

This year? The award goes to the what some are calling Japanese Beetles, but I think they are more akin to the Rose Chafer. In any case, we are inundated. I have sprayed soapy water, which works wonderfully, but with the recent rains, it has to be re-applied. These guys are voracious and have swarmed like nothing I've seen in awhile.

So, what's your Pest Of The Year nomination?

 

[dave1949]

I don't think those are japanese beetles. the JB's have a greenish iridescence on the wings and are much darker. Be thankful if you never see one.

I think a chipmunk ate a cabbage plant and gnawed off a pepper plant stem and half-girdled another. He seems to be living in a rock wall near my compost pile. Found himself the perfect place. I set a trap at the crime scene but don't think he has been back - yet. It's time to load the .22
Dave.

 

[crusty 1]

The only pest for me this year was the birch pollen.I was snoten and snorten like crazy.:droolave

 

[Vineyard Dave]

My neighbor......

 

[oldnslo]

My neighbor......

They was till I moved....:thumbsup:

Around here it is Asian Beetles imported to eliminate the Soy Bean Aphid.Buggers are every where.

 

[beppington]

That would be the CHIGGER. Or rather CHIGGERS, since you get many, not just one ... as I note here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1987225-post53.html

 

[wade simpson]

Deer flies, they take a piece of you back to feed their young.
Ticks just because they're creepy little buggers

 

[deepNdirt]

Deer flies, they take a piece of you back to feed their young.
Ticks just because they're creepy little buggers

Yeah! I vote them darn flies that sneak up behind you and in a split second bit you on the neck and fly away before you get a chance to see what got-cha the bite swells up half size of a chicken egg, then I got to go around for the rest of the day looking like I got some kind of deformation growing out of my neck,

I've learned to spray myself down with repellent when going outside this stops the biting, although now they fly up and smack me upside the head and keep going

 

[mustangsallysdad]

STINK BUGS!!! They are relentless and there seems to be no way to eradicate them...thanks alot China.

 

[mbosma]

After 4 inches of rain about a month ago, the mosquitoes are horrible this year. Other than that, the deer ate 90% of my corn, honey suckle and garlic mustard are taking over the woods faster than I can manage, and the raccoon kits are braver than ever (I think my kids fed them again).