A few pests have reared their ugly head this year. Currently birds are causing a fair amount of damage with their pecks. I pulled at least 20 Golden Delicious apples off before I took the initiative to fight fire with fire. First I added metallic looking pinwheels. No help there–bites were right beside the pinwheels. Next I bought some metallic garland from the dollar store and draped it over the apples. I went on to add some balloons with faces drawn on them. Lastly, I covered the largest apples with organza bags. At this late date, that is kind of tricky since they can be fairly easily dislodged from the tree.  I added the most deterrents  to Golden Delicious and Arkansas Black, the two trees where I am getting the most bird strikes.

What does all that metallic stuff and motion devices add up to? A ridiculous looking tree that’s decked out like a Christmas Tree!

Japanese Beetles have been particularly pesky this year. Usually by August they have packed their bags and moved on, but not this year. They are merciless on Apricot and Plum trees in particular. The leaves look like lacy doilies.  I have placed three lures and bags around the yard and empty them constantly. The beetle damage is mostly cosmetic, but it is frustrating walking up to a tree that is eaten up by them.  I’m adding more water throughout the orchard to try and meet the bird’s needs and hopefully prevent pecks.

Birds, beetles, aphids, stinkbugs. Everyone wants their piece of the pie.