For instance, this past Tuesday on the conference call, Joe Boggs, OSU Extension educator in Hamilton County, let everyone know that he is seeing the first Japanese beetles in the Cincinnati area. This means that we should be seeing them by now in the Miami Valley area.
Curtis Young, Extension educator in Van Wert County, noted that his office is getting a lot of phone calls on the boxelder bug.
BYGL is a great resource and tool to use to keep on top of problems in your landscape. In addition, we discuss weather issues, provide information on plants of the week (perennials, annuals, woody ornamentals and weeds) and go in-depth on any current horticulture issues if needed.
We have two versions of BYGL, email and online. The email version is a text version that provides readers information that can be quickly scanned to find out what’s happening. If you would like to receive the email version of BYGL, send me an email (bennett.27@osu.edu) and I will add you to the list.
For more in-depth information, the online version can be found at http://bygl.osu.edu
The online version has photos, additional factsheets and details about the specific topic. For instance, if you find Japanese beetles in your landscape and want to learn more details about how to manage them, you can find photos and a link to more detailed information.
Our team of writers includes Extension educators and specialists across the state. We educate readers about the particular pest problem and try to provide management options.
For instance, in the June 20 BYGL, there is an article about the boxelder bugs. These red and black bugs are hatching right now and feeding on seeds of the boxelder and other plants. They typically don’t cause much problem in the landscape but are a real nuisance when they congregate on the walls of houses and sometimes come indoors.
We had high populations last year (common during droughts) and adults overwintered and laid eggs for a new generation that we are seeing right now.
If you really want to keep up with what’s happening in the landscape and garden, visit BYGL on a regular basis. Let me know your thoughts and how we can improve this newsletter, as well.
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