The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-07-01
JAPANESE BEETLE
Policy OF State Toward Beetle
Shows Very Definite Results

Shows Very Definite Results
Maryland's policy towards
control of the Japanese beetle
has shown very definite results
since discovery of the insect in
the State in 1926, according to
officials of the University OF
Maryland. The beetles were
first discovered in Loudon Park
Cemetery, Baltimore, ten years
after they made their first ap-
pearance in this country in a
nursery at Riverton, N. J. AL
though they are now reported
in eleven states and the Dis
trict of Columbia and have
been in this State for six years
the vigorous fight that has
been waged by the Maryland
officials apparently has kept
the number of infestations and
the beetle population down to
a minimum and commercial
control is not warranted in this
State at the present time.
Officials of Maryland have
always and still maintain q
policy that all free territory
should be protected and kept
free from beetles. Hence, for
the infested territory Maryland
officials have contended that
every thing possible should be
done to control and reduce the
number of beetles present and
to prevent a further influx Of
beetles from the heavily in
tested areas. 1t is felt thar
such a policy will delay tie
time when the beetles may be-
come abundant and injurious
and will result in sizeable mon
etary savings to the people.
In all localities in which beet
les have occurred over a period
of two years or more and local
tiles in which trapping has
been continued over a period OF
two years, a marked decrease
in the number of beetles caught
with the exception of two To-
calities on the Eastern Shore,
was shown. So
Control may be obtained
through sprays, a soil treat
ment and traps, and the selec-
ton of trees, shrubs and orna-
mentals immune from or sell
dom attacked by the beetle.
Sprays have been found TO. cost
from $3.50 to 1928 per acre,
depending upon the type OF
trees sprayed. Soil treatment
which prevents grub damage
for a period OF five years costs
approximately $500 per acre
and traps cost around 81 each,
not including bait.
1t is pointed out by the Uni
versity that the community
and the individual may go a
long ways towards helping to
control and retard the influx OF
beetles if the following pre-
cautions are observed:
/. Cooperate with State and
Federal agencies in their at
tempt to control and prevent
further introduction of the
beetle.
2. Cooperate with the State
and Federal agencies by obey
ing quarantine regulations.
8. Trap, handpick and de-
stroy beetles where practical.
Traps should not be used UNI
less beetles are known to- be-
present on ones premises.
The unwise use of traps may
tend to spread the beetles.
4. Buy and plant only ma
terials that are certified as free
from Japanese beetles or CON-
ing from uninfested premises.
No Maryland nursery is known
to be infested. Therefore all
Maryland nurseries are safe
sources.
5. Watch your garden, flow
ers and shrubs for the presence
of beetles, and if found notify
your county agent, State Ento-
mologist or Japanese beetle of
flee.
6. Cooperate with your
neighbors and all civic organI-
cations in controlling, collect
ing and destroying beetles.
Z. Examine your car or
truck and kill any beetles
found before entering Mary
land. 1t is not uncommon for
large numbers of beetles to COL
lect in and on automobiles and