Japanese Beetle Control: How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles were discovered in New Jersey in the year 1916. Japanese beetles have now spread across the northeastern states of America. The climate in U.S. is found to be particularly suitable for the Japanese beetle. However, British Columbia and the western States of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington are presently free from Japanese beetle.

These seasonal pests are 8-10 mm long and metallic green to greenish bronze in color. They have coppery red wings and small white tuffs on the sides and tip of the abdomen. The larvae are 20-25 mm long. When they mature they develop into a 'C'-shape. They are cream-colored white grubs with brown heads.

These destructive plant pests feed on the foliage and fruits of hundreds of plant species. They eat and destroy fruit trees, shrubs, vegetables, field crops and ornamental plants. They leave behind skeletonized leaves with large, irregularly shaped holes. The grubs(larvae) grow in the soil. They eat the roots of different plants and grasses. This destroys the turf in the parks, lawns and golf courses.

There are many chemical pesticides that will effectively kill the grubs and adult Japanese beetles. You can even try organic methods as an effective way for pest control. The following methods will help you answer the question, how to get rid of Japanese beetles?

Controlling the Grubs

• You can get rid of the grubs by spraying the garden or yard with "Milky Spore" powder. This powder contains bacteria which are ingested by the grubs. The bacteria multiply in the grubs till they die. You can use this method once in late July to early August. Although, this may not show a significant reduction in the grub population for at least 2 to 3years. This powder is safe to use when children and pets are around. Another environmentally safe method is using nematodes. You may need more than one application to get rid of the grubs for good.
• You can destroy the eggs by allowing your lawn to dry out significantly between watering. Many chemical insecticides in form of sprays and granules are effective in controlling the grubs.

Controlling the Adult Japanese Beetles

• Japanese beetle control is a very difficult task. The best way to get rid of the beetles is taking a bucket of soapy water through your garden early at day break. The beetles are slow and sluggish during this time, and you can simply pick them and drown them in soapy water! This technique works well when Japanese beetles are less active and are few in number.
• You can prepare homemade Japanese beetle trap. There are two types of traps, one that uses female beetles pheromones and the other that uses the smell of its favorite food. You can place these traps downwind and far away from the plants you want to protect. Be extra careful when using these traps as they may attract more beetles than you can trap.
• Planting interplant Mirabilis, larkspur, white geraniums, red buckeyes and dwarf buckeyes plants is also a good option. The flowers of these plants attract and poison the beetles. The leaves of the Castor bean plant poison Japanese beetles. You should take care that children and pets are kept away from these poisonous plants
• Spray plants with Neem oil to keep away Japanese beetles. Neem oil is a natural Japanese beetle repellent. Another natural Japanese beetle repellent is using a spray made from garlic.

Homemade Japanese Beetle Trap

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 mashed banana
1 pkg yeast

Method of Preparation:
Dissolve sugar and yeast in the water. Add mashed banana to the sugar water. Mix well. Pour the mixture in a gallon milk jug. With the top off, place the jug in an area where Japanese Beetles gather. The fermentation and odor of the bait attracts the beetles get attracted to the fermentation and odour of the mixture and will compel them to get in but won't let them out.

It is seen that fir, arborvitae, spruce, pine hemlock and rhododendron are not attacked by Japanese beetles. Lilac, magnolia, holly, euonymus, dogwood, boxwood and red maple are also found to be resistant to Japanese beetles. Flowers that are resistant to Japanese beetles are ageratum, snapdragon, columbine, begonia and yucca. Some vegetables like onions, rutabaga, cauliflower, red pepper, lettuce, tomato and parsley are also found to be resistant to these pests.

Try the above recommendation to control growth of Japanese beetles. These conventional techniques have been effective to some extent in getting rid of this voracious pests from the land of the rising sun.