BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 11, 2024
There are thousands of species of beetles in Maine, but just a few of them could cause big problems in your garden this year. Simple methods like the soapy water trap, protecting young plants with row cover, rotating your planting sites and disposing of eggs before they hatch can help you protect your plants at a low cost. Some farmers also plant other crops the beetles like next to the ones they want to protect, a method called perimeter trap cropping. Whatever you choose to do, knowing how to identify these common Maine beetles emerging right now is a good first step. The free online New England Vegetable Management Guide is one simple, updated resource for information on any of these insects.