Summer Bugs

Here is a photo of Colorado Potato Beetles that are eating my potatoes this year.  I likely started too late but once I noticed them I added Neem Oil to my spray program in an attempt to control them.  They are likely going to be ready to harvest in about a month but another possibele solution could be to use Surround, a kaolin clay product that I use on my apple trees should the problem persist.

The summer has brough out all the bugs because I am also battling squash bugs, and striped cucumber beetles as well.  They seemed to have taken a liking to the early planted cucurbitis (squash, melons, pumpkin , cucumbers, etc) but the second planting seems to be thriving.  I can see small squash bug eggs on the leaves and have sprayed them with Neem Oil as well in an attempt kill the eggs.  I doubt neem would kill anything but it messes with the reproduction process so only time will tell.

Finally, the rainy June brought out mosquitoes.  I think this is the first year I have even been bitten by a mosquito here.  I blame it on the rain but wonder if it is diet based!!