Controlling Japanese Beetles in Your Garden

Japanese Beetles Control-a-japanese-beetle — *A Japanese beetle insect pest*

Japanese beetles were first discovered in the United States in 1916 after being accidentally introduced into New Jersey. These insects, however, are restricted to Japan, where they are not a major problem because these beetles have natural enemies or predators that keep their population under control. At the adult stage, Japanese beetles cause major damage to agricultural and ornamental plants, feeding on more than 300 plant species. The Japanese beetle grubs or larvae stage are damaging to lawns. The eggs are laid on the lawn by the female. By late July or early August, the eggs hatch, and lawn grubs emerge. Grubs mature into adults by the early parts of summer. The grubs have a huge appetite for eating and digging up lawn roots in late summer.

During the cold season, Japanese beetles overwinter as newly fully grown grubs in the soil. When spring arrives, the grubs emerge, once again becoming active and damaging lawns by feeding. There are several ways to manage these garden pests. If the adult Japanese beetle and the grubs are destroying your garden or lawn, continue reading to bring control.

Adult Japanese Beetle Identification

The adult Japanese Beetle Measures about 1/3 to 1/2 inch long.
They possess a metallic green head and thorax (the area behind the head) with copper-brown wings.
The tip of the Japanese beetle’s abdomen has two white hair patches.

Signs of Japanese Beetle

Seeing them flying from one feeding location to the next.
Skeleton-like leaves from feeding, leaves take on the appearance of lace.
Infested plants may have a scorched appearance.

Different Methods to Control Japanese Beetles

Japanese Beetles Control-japanese-beetle-grub — *Japanese beetle grubs*

Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Use: This is a contact product spray that kills on contact, bringing control to Japanese beetles. This insecticide can be used in small garden areas where beetles are active.
Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate: This insecticide can also manage Japanese beetles using a measuring cap with a pump-style sprayer that will kill Japanese beetles on contact. Sevin insect killer concentrate is ideal for larger gardens.
Sevin Insect Killer Lawn Granules: Sevin Insect Killer Lawn Granules controls both the adult Japanese beetle and the grub. Granules can be equally dispersed with the help of a lawn fertilizer spreader. Once granules are applied according to the directions on the label, irrigate (water) right away to activate the ingredients. Granules will protect your lawn for up to 3 months, providing bug control.
Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Spray: This insecticide is easy to use; simply attach the bottle’s nozzle to your garden hose. The sprayer will do the rest as it mixes and measures the water as it is released from your garden hose. Sevin insect killer, ready to spray, is effective for coverage on larger gardens and turf areas. This contact spray kills the adult beetle on contact and will protect against new bugs for up to 3 months.
Go into your garden during the morning when beetles are least active, hold a container of soapy water under infected plants, and gently shake the beetles into the soapy water, which will eliminate them.
Insecticidal soap: Spraying it directly on the adult beetle will bring control.
Neem oil: Is derived from the neem seed and is effective in the control of all stages of the Japanese beetle, including the grubs.
Japanese beetle Traps: For these traps to be effective, keep them 50-200 ft away from your garden, and install traps 1-2 feet off the ground because this is the height these beetles fly. Once Japanese beetles pick up on the pheromone, they will be lured into the trap, trapping them. Avoid placing the traps close to your gardens because Japanese beetles will mostly avoid the trap and end up in your garden, where they can do a lot of damage.

Japanese Beetle Grub Identification

The Grubs are C-shaped with a cream color and a distinct tan to dark-colored head.
Their legs are well-developed and are easy to see
They are best distinguished from other white grubs by closely examining the pattern of hairs on the hind end of the abdomen, which forms a distinctive V-shape.

Signs of Japanese Beetle Grub

Japanese beetle grub damage appears as brown, dying patches in lawns.
The infected turf can easily be rolled back like a carpet and pulled up because of a lack of root support.
Once the infected turf is rolled back, you will see the white grubs.
You may see crows, moles, skunks, and other animals that feed on grubs on your lawn. Feeding may be an indication of the presence of grubs and can further damage your lawn as animals dig for grubs.

How to Control Japanese Beetle Grubs

Sevin Insect Killer Lawn Granules: Sevin Insect Killer Lawn Granules controls both the adult Japanese beetle and its grubs. Granules can be equally dispersed with the help of a lawn fertilizer spreader. Once granules are spread according to the directions on the label, irrigate (water) right away to activate the active ingredients. Granules will protect your lawn for up to 3 months, providing bug control.
Milky spore powder is effective; this powder overwinters in the soil, and as the grubs come in contact with milky spore powder will eliminate them
Beneficial nematodes: These are microscopic worm-like creatures that can be purchased from your garden center and sprayed on your lawn around May or June and then again in September. Once nematodes are applied to your lawn, give your lawn a good drink of water because nematodes move around through water channels and parasitize the Japanese beetle grubs.

Conclusion

Japanese beetles and their grubs can become a real pain, damaging beautiful lawns and garden areas, but with this guide, you can bring complete control to these pests. Why let these critters, or should I say uninvited guests, cause havoc when you can take control, creating a Japanese beetle-free zone?