Leaf Cutter Bees

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) May 05, 2004

Any hints on getting rid of or repelling Leaf Cutter Bees? They really love my Clarkias and I'm afraid they won't survive if I don't do something. After they finish with that, I'm afraid they will move on to the roses.

One site I read suggested Permethrin; but, that seems a little extreme to me. Seems like it will kill most of the insects in my garden.

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) May 05, 2004

Well, after searching the web, most sites, aside from pest control companies, say that leaf cutter bees are very active pollinators and should not be poisoned except as a last resort. I guess I will have to learn to live with holes in my leaves. Either that or grow all feathery leafed plants.

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Gourd Mesilla Park, NM May 12, 2004

my plants have alot of holes too. also the very edges of the flowers on the Brugmansia plants are all eaten off, they look like they were frilled..

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nanette0269 Bradenton, FL(Zone 9b) May 22, 2004

I have tons and tons of plants in the front yard, and the only one they are attacking on a regular basis is one hibiscus. Granted, the leaves arent very attractive, but its not in a prominent location, and a landscaper/gardener I spoke with says they never hurt anything, just eat some of the leaves...so they will never kill the plant. So, consider moving their favorite plants elsewhere in your garden....but their benefits outweigh their detriments.

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eje San Francisco, CA(Zone 10a) May 22, 2004

Nanette, Thanks for your input. I guess I agree. It was probably a good thing to grow what the seed mix calls Farewell-To-Spring this year, as the bees seem to prefer it and it distracted them from cutting up the leaves on my roses etcetera. I think I will try to grow a patch of it every spring.

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