Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Get Rid of Dogbane Beetles

...
Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

The dogbane beetle is not a pest and does not require control. These beetles feed only on the poisonous sap of milkweed and dogbane, not on other crops. Milkweed and dogbane, however, commonly grow interspersed with other crops, creating the illusion that the beetle may be feeding on your crops. The larvae feed exclusively on dogbane and milkweed crops. If you desire to get rid of these nondamaging insects, you must control your milkweed and dogbane populations.

Identify local patches of milkweed and dogbane. These plants are common along meadows, roadsides and crops. Milkweed is considered a problem in fields because of its deep root systems and how easily it germinates.

  • The dogbane beetle is not a pest and does not require control.
  • Milkweed is considered a problem in fields because of its deep root systems and how easily it germinates.

Till idle land to prevent the milkweed from spreading. One tillage will kill seedlings if the plants are younger than 3 weeks old.

Apply the glyphosate according to manufacturer's instructions. Glyphosate is nonselective, so apply with caution. It kills any vegetation it contacts.

Continue scouting out milkweed populations and controlling them. It is best to apply the herbicide as the plant is in its late bud stage or when it's flowering.

  • Till idle land to prevent the milkweed from spreading.

Tip

Milkweed is tolerant of most herbicides and therefore difficult to control. For large areas such as fields, you will need a heavier herbicide and you will use it as a pre-harvest application.

Related Articles

How to Control Common Mullein
How to Control Common Mullein
How to Mix Eraser Weed Killer
How to Mix Eraser Weed Killer
What Repels Grasshoppers & Locusts?
What Repels Grasshoppers & Locusts?
Bermudagrass Vs. Crabgrass
Bermudagrass Vs. Crabgrass
How to Kill Crabgrass in July
How to Kill Crabgrass in July
How Long Is the Oat Growing Season?
How Long Is the Oat Growing Season?
How to Kill Clovers Without Killing the Grass
How to Kill Clovers Without Killing the Grass
Caterpillars on Sunflowers
Caterpillars on Sunflowers
Five Examples of Annual Weeds
Five Examples of Annual Weeds
Common Weeds in Bermuda Grass
Common Weeds in Bermuda Grass
How to Grow Black Thistle Bird Seed for Birds
How to Grow Black Thistle Bird Seed for Birds
Information on Curtail Weed Killer
Information on Curtail Weed Killer
Plants in the Pea Family
Plants in the Pea Family
Garden Guides
×