Japanese Beetle Control
Identification: Adult Japanese Beetles are about 1/2-inch long and have a hard outer shell that is iridescent. They tend to group up on infested plants — often in very large numbers. Japanese Beetles can fly, but are slow and easy to catch.
Immature Japanese Beetles take the form of 1-inch white grubs in your lawn. They will feed on roots and other things in the soil.
Damage: Japanese Beetles chew leaf tissue from between the veins, leaving a lace-like leaf skeleton. Due to the tendency to group in large numbers Japanese Beetles can cause large amounts of damage very quickly if not controlled.
Control: This can be a challenge because Japanese Beetles can fly long distances. We recommend several options to help get these pesky beetles under control:
- Handpick
Half-fill a cup or small jar with water and add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid (I use Dawn). At the beginning and end of each day walk slowly through the garden and brush the Japanese Beetles off the plants and into the water (or pick them off and throw them in — they don’t bite). Use this as an opportunity to inspect the plants for any insect damage, new fruits, etc.
- Milky Spore
A naturally occurring microscopic bacteria (Bacillus popilliae) that kills Japanese beetle grubs before they can grow into ravenous adults. Use in combination with beneficial nematodes (Grub Guard
)
- Catch-Can with Bait
Its double bait system (a floral and a pheremone lure) attracts and traps Japanese beetles. Best for large yards, where it can be placed away from the garden.
- Grub Guard Contains beneficial nematodes, naturally occurring microorganisms that live in the soil. They feed on Japanese beetle grubs, Colorado potato beetle grubs, cutworms, root weevils, flea larvae and other soil-dwelling insects. Won’t harm earthworms or most beneficial insects, safe around pets.
- Rose Rx 3-in-1
Wards off spider mites, whiteflies, lily beetles and Japanese beetles. Also controls black spot and powdery mildew. It works for all flowers and ornamentals; safe for houseplants and food crops, too.
- Summerweight Garden Fabric 6′ x 50′
Fabric cover screens out Japanese beetles, potato beetles, cabbage worms, leaf miners, carrot flies and most vine borers. Transmits 85 percent of the light to plants without allowing heat build-up.
- Insect Control Spray
Controls pests with fast-acting natural pyrethrins to kill insects and larvae on contact and canola oil to smother eggs
- Garden Dust
Contains copper sulphate and pyrethrins. Use it as a last resort if other controls are not effective.
- Insect Pop-Up Nets
Protect your crops from insects with this net, designed to fit on a raised bed.
- Bon-Neem Spray
Controls a variety of pests, including aphids, mites, whiteflies, flea beetles, scale and earwigs. Contains natural potassium salts and potent neem tree oil.
- Slug Guard
These beneficial nematodes are tiny, soil-dwelling predators that target slugs, killing them within 48 hours. One application is effective all summer. Unlike chemical controls, they won’t harm earthworms or most beneficial insects, and they are safe to use around children and pets.
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