HOMEOWNER INSECT PROBLEMS 



Elm leaf beetles have begun to hatch, especially Chinese, this week. The small, dirty- 

 yellow to black larvae feed on the underside of leaves- -skeltonizing them and leaving 

 only the veins. Sprays of carbaryl (Sevin) or malathion now will reduce the damage. 

 An additional spray 10 to 12 days later will help control this insect. 



Bagworms have hatched and have begun to feed in the central part of the state. Spray 

 with either malathion, carbaryl (Sevin), or diazinon. Follow label directions. 



Aphids of many species are commonly found on lots of trees --especially willow, tulip, 

 and sycamore; also on shrubs, including roses. In most instances, these aphids, or 

 plant lice, do very little damage. If damage is serious with leaves curling and drying, 

 apply malathion as a spray, using 2 teaspoons of 50- to 57-percent liquid concentrate 

 per gallon of spray. 



Bean leaf beetles are chewing holes in green bean leaves. Carbaryl (Sevin) applied as 

 a dust or spray will effectively control this insect. Also, the same chemical as a 

 dust or spray will control both the spotted and striped cucumber beetle . These two 

 beetles, particularly the black and yellow striped adults, feed on young plants of cu- 

 cumbers, melons, and other vine crops. Many times, they cause these young plants to 

 wilt and die, due to bacterial wilt- -a disease carried by the beetles. 



Some homeowners who have applied chlordane as a foundation spray may wish to repeat 

 this practice during the next few weeks to provide protection against house- invading 

 insects such as crickets, water bugs, ants, spiders, and millipedes. One pint of 45- 

 percent chlordane liquid concentrate added to 3 gallons of water is usually sufficient 

 to treat the foundation of the average-size home. Be sure to spray to the point of 

 runoff; also, treat cracks around steps and sidewalks along the foundation. 



WEEDS 



Several Illinois vine weeds may cause problems. Hedge bindweed got a good start in 

 some cornfields, but 2,4-D will control it. Field bindweed is much more difficult 

 to control. 



Control wild sweet potato with 2,4-D, but be sure to apply it at the right time. Use 

 the usual rate of 2,4-D in corn when the sweet potatoes are in the bud stage- -just 

 before the buds open up into flowers. At this stage, 2,4-D moves with food reserves 

 from the leaves downward to the tubers and gives greater control. The bud stage may 

 be late enough to require high-clearance spray equipment. 



Wild cucumber control has been relatively good where AAtrex was applied preemergence . 

 AAtrex gave the best control when it was incorporated. 2,4-D applied after the weeds 

 emerge will not help much. 2,4,5-T controls wild cucumber much better than 2,4-D, and 

 can be used in fence rows and non-crop areas. However, 2,4,5-T does not have federal 

 clearance for use in corn. 



You can control annual morning glories in corn with a preemergence herbicide such as 

 AAtrex, but some of the soybean herbicides like Amiben and Lorox do not give good 

 morning glory control. In corn, 2,4-D postemergence controls annual morning glory. 

 In soybeans,' a postemergence application of 2,4-DB may give fair control where the prob- 

 lem is severe. Before using 2,4-DB on soybeans, however, consider the injury risk. 

 If you use 2,4-DB, make careful and accurate applications. 



