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HOMEOWNER INSECT PROBLEMS 



Bean leaf beetles are beginning to chew holes in leaves. These brown or dull-red 

 beetles with black spots can be controlled easily with carbaryl (Sevin) , applied 

 as a commercially prepared 5 -percent dust or as a spray containing 2 tablespoons 

 of 50-percent wettable powder per gallon of water. 



Pine sawflies are now defoliating some pine plantings, especially white pines, in 

 southern and central Illinois. These caterpillars cluster on the needles and feed, 

 causing defoliation of branches and even of entire trees. Spraying with carbaryl 

 (Sevin) will provide control. Use 2 pounds of 50-percent wettable powder per 100 

 gallons of water. 



Oyster shell scale young are hatching on shrubs such as lilac. These young crawlers 

 are moving out onto new growth and are beginning to suck the plant sap. For control, 

 make two applications of malathion about 10 to 14 days apart. 



Periodical cicadas or thirteen-year locusts have emerged from the soil this past 

 week in many counties in west-central and southern Illinois. These adult cicadas 

 will fly about in wooded areas and shade trees for about a week, but will do no 

 damage. After a week, the females will begin to lay eggs in slits cut into twigs 

 and small branches. This egg- laying damage causes many small branches to die, 

 severely damaging small trees. To prevent such damage, young trees can be covered 

 by netting. Spraying the tree with carbaryl (Sevin) when egg- laying begins will 

 control many of the cicadas . If these insects remain numerous , repeat the spray 

 application 5 to 7 days later. 



Chiggers will be appearing soon. They occur along fence rows, brushy places, weedy 

 hillsides , grassy margins of ponds and lakes, and at edges of forests. These tiny 

 mites cling to grasses and weeds, transferring to people or animals who happen to 

 come by. The mite injects saliva into the skin to dissolve tissue cells. This 

 spot usually becomes inflamed and itches. The mites feed for about two days before 

 dropping off. 



To prevent attack, use a repellent such as DEET (diethytoluanide) . Apply it to socks, 

 pants cuffs, exposed ankles and calves, and arms. Take a warm, soapy shower or bath as 

 soon as possible after returning from a chigger- infested area. 



To reduce chigger infestations in a home yard, spray malathion or diazinon lightly 

 over the grass, low flowers, and shrubs. Follow the directions and precautions on 

 the label. 



WEEDS 



HERBICIDE ADDITIVES 



Don't be misled by what you may read or hear about the advantages of using household 

 cleaning agents with pesticides. Some of the advantages claimed or suggested are that 

 the agents help keep the spray pump lubricated, reduce the amount of rain needed or 

 even make rain unnecessary, and reduce the amount of herbicide required. 



We would not completely eliminate the possibility that surfactants affect the mobil- 

 ity of herbicides in the soil, this could be an advantage or a disadvantage. Having 

 adequate moisture available so the herbicide can be absorbed by the weed seedlings is 

 likely to be a more important consideration than mobility. 



