Mexican Bean Beetle

[Koston]

Anyone have any experience with the Mexican Bean Beetle? The look like ugly ladybugs and are eating up my pole beans. I've been hand picking them off, but I know there has to be a better way.

[Jason Akers]

Without turning chickens loose they are tough.  Keep attracting ladybugs (larvae eat larvae) and picking.  If you really get frustrated try pyrethrin but I've never seen it work well.

Jason

[fritz_monroe]

I have these each year.  The only thing that works for me is hand picking.  If I miss even 1 day, they take over the beans.

I do bush beans.  I allow the beans to grow to harvest size, then I pull the entire plant.  Quickly harvest the beans and the plants go in a black garbage bag.  I leave this in the sun for several days.