Raising Beetles

Raising Beetles for Purple Loosestrife

  Cutting and destroying the flowers only stops the spread of the seeds, it does not get rid or kill the plant. Biocontrol utilizes Galerucella Beetles. These beetles eat and thrive on the purple loosestrife plant.

  The beetles can be raised in pens and then collected to be released around the lake. Last year, we received beetles from Burnett County, Mark and Jill Michel spent the summer raising beatles. These beatles were released at both Long and Des Moines Lakes. The beetles were effective, Mark Michel saw evidence of them eating the loosestrife. Mark and Jill Michel will be raising their beetles again this year, in a joint effort with the Long Lake Association, the Des Moines Lake Association, and Burnett County. A pen will be erected on the Michel property which is on both lakes. Mark hopes to release beatles down on the South end of Long Lake to address the Purple loosestrife on the North end of Hanscom Lake.