first time tators

[brewzalot]

Growing sweet potatoes for the first time here in my Wisconsin garden. Doing real good (considering the drought) except now the Japanese beetles moved in. They are starting to flower so I figure if I can keep the beetles off for just a few more weeks I'll be ok. That is, if sweet potatoes are similar to regular potatoes in the flower to harvest time frame?

Anyone have any tips for controlling them ? Its a small area so I would rather not use heavy insecticides if I don't have to. I tried spraying with just soap and water tonight, will see how that worked tomorrow.

thanks, Tim

[Don McCombs]

Beetle traps.

[Bill Hudson]

Beetle traps.

Placement is critical. Place them away from your taters to lure the beetles away from the taters.

Bill

[Don McCombs]

Bill is absolutely correct. Place them about 100 yards upwind from where the beetles are active. They use a pheromone lure to get the beetles to the trap.

[Eugene]

I'm using a Sevin insecticide spray for vegetables and fruits. There is a waiting period from spray date to harvest date and a limited number of spray applications per vegetable and season.

I have several small garden plots, 3 asparagus patches, blackberry trellis, apple trees, and horseradish patches. Hand sprayer and insecticide works well.

[brewzalot]

Beetle traps.

Have some up already on the front of the house, to help keep them off the white birch. Thought that would help keep them out of the garden out back,( and maybe it has).

I know Sevin works and is labeled safe if used correctly... but was trying to avoid it just to avoid chemicals if I can. I have way too many hot peppers right now, was thinking of chopping and mixing them in with water and spraying the plants liberally. I wouldn't think that would hurt the potatoes ??

Pretty sure the soap and water I sprayed last night just gave the beetles clean feet