A Bug All-You-Can-Eat

We are getting a ton of bug pressure in our flower garden. It seems their top choice in snacking is sunflower leaves but nothing is being spared. I sprayed insect soap and regularly sprinkled ant dust several weeks ago, but it looks like I am going to have to get and stay consistent on the treatments. I am also going to look into introducing some beneficial insects, but I may be too late into the growing season for that to be an effective solution. My poor leaves and some blooms are just taking a beating and it is so sad to see.

I’m pretty sure the bugs ate out a heart shape to let me know how much they love the meals I've grown for them. 😒

We are seeing everything from Japanese beetles to leaf hoppers and although I’m not seeing aphids or thrips, the Japanese beetles are doing their fair share of damage to the some of the flowers. My poor rose bush has been decimated. That is, by far, their favorite. It is so frustrating. I do have Japanese beetle bags out and although some say that attracts beetles to the yard, I have to imagine that trapping and killing several thousand beetles has to do some good or will in the coming seasons. In the meantime, I’ll get back to regular spraying with insect soap and cover blooms with an organza bag that I want to ensure don’t get damaged.