Mexican bean beetles... Any advice?

[sparks19]

So we have an infestation of mexican bean beetles and their larvae. The larvae are everywhere and have absolutely destroyed our bean crop. Luckily we are at the end of our season so it isn't a really big deal but I would like to prevent them next year.

Anyone ever dealt with them personally?

 

[Doberluv]

http://www.almanac.com/content/mexican-bean-beetles

 

[sparks19]

Thanks. I had read that earlier when I was trying to identify the little buggers. Just wondering if anyone here ha dealt with them before. This is the first time we have ever had them and I DON'T want them back next year. They absolutely destroyed our bean crop

 

[joce]

Guineas? I am on my phone so didn't see what they are but if they are a true beetle why not? I think guineas are the ones that eat just bugs and not your plants and won't attack you.

 

[Kilter]

I'd do chickens as well if I could. You'd have to fence off the plants somehow (there are chicken 'tractors' you can build, or fence around the beans and let them run the whole field) but I'd love to do that myself. When we move....

The other thing to do (did a bit of reading) would be to delay planting the beans, or plant them inside first, till the soil a few times in the spring to unearth the worms and let the chickens loose to eat any beetles that come up to feed.

 

[Renee750il]

Deportation? This is the kind of thing that wouldn't happen if we had a wall across the border! :rofl1:

(and for the new people who've missed some of our more *interesting* political threads, YES, that was totally tongue-in-cheek )

 

[sparks19]

Yeah unfortunately chickens are not possible for us at this time. This is just a small garden in our backyard so te chickens would be at the mercy of the dogs lol.

We will be sure to till a couple times in the spring and let te birds have at them though lol. Apparently they are one of two Kinds of ladybugs that are harmful to gardens instead of beneficial

 

[joce]

Look into attracting birds to your yard if there is a certain kind that eats them. I know many other than chickens avoid them because they taste bitter(Beatles and those darn fake lady bugs in general), if I am remembering right.

My cousin who lives down town had something like twenty chickens in her backyard. She ended up with a rooster and didn't want to split them up so took them to my cousins. Generally they stick up for themselves and the dogs learn quick!