To use Japanese Beetles as feed OR not? - 06/20/18 06:55 PM
Would adding the Japanese Beatles to my 1/4 acre pond risk overdoing the nutrient levels?
I was looking forward to constructing the Japanese Beetle trap/fish feeder this year, but I am wondering if my pond isn't already full of forage and natural foodstuffs. My pond is loaded with FHM's and has had extreme populations of bullfrog tadpoles. The tads have mostly turned to frogs as of the last couple weeks. I stocked 500 HBG, 90 RES, and 40 HSB in April and they are being fed 1/3 pound of Optimal once in the morning and again in the evening for a total of 2/3 pound a day. The HBG are averaging 5-6" long, HSB = 6" long, RES are hard to find, but are likely 4-5" long. The fish clean up the feed in 20 to 30 minutes and most of the fish feeding are the HBG.
For those of you wondering what kind of trap/feeder I'm talking about...
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=18641
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=334789
I obviously cant' control the volume of beetles that would be trapped and go into the pond, but if there is any risk of putting too much nutrients into the pond I can certainly not build the feeder. I am not overwhelmed with these beetles, but they are here and will be until the grapevines, blackberries, and cannas are chewed to pieces. I have heard stories that the trap bags can fill in a day if not sooner and that seems like a lot of bugs to be dumping into the pond.
All thoughts welcome!
I was looking forward to constructing the Japanese Beetle trap/fish feeder this year, but I am wondering if my pond isn't already full of forage and natural foodstuffs. My pond is loaded with FHM's and has had extreme populations of bullfrog tadpoles. The tads have mostly turned to frogs as of the last couple weeks. I stocked 500 HBG, 90 RES, and 40 HSB in April and they are being fed 1/3 pound of Optimal once in the morning and again in the evening for a total of 2/3 pound a day. The HBG are averaging 5-6" long, HSB = 6" long, RES are hard to find, but are likely 4-5" long. The fish clean up the feed in 20 to 30 minutes and most of the fish feeding are the HBG.
For those of you wondering what kind of trap/feeder I'm talking about...
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=18641
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=334789
I obviously cant' control the volume of beetles that would be trapped and go into the pond, but if there is any risk of putting too much nutrients into the pond I can certainly not build the feeder. I am not overwhelmed with these beetles, but they are here and will be until the grapevines, blackberries, and cannas are chewed to pieces. I have heard stories that the trap bags can fill in a day if not sooner and that seems like a lot of bugs to be dumping into the pond.
All thoughts welcome!