Feeding on the roots of grass and other garden plants is what these insects do best. Asparagus, corn, soybeans, roses, bushes, and a variety of other ornamentals are favorites of the Japanese beetle. Infestations of Japanese beetle and their larvae are commonly characterized by brown patches of dead or dying grass and skeleton-like designs in the leaves of plants. In extreme cases, they can completely destroy a plant.
What Do Japanese Beetles Look Like?
Japanese beetles measure three-eighths” in length and 1/4″ in width and have a metallic green hue and copper-colored wing covers. Apart from their eye-catching hues, they also have a polished surface, which gives them an awe-inspiring appearance. Japanese beetles are not the only metallic, green, or copper beetles. To identify them, Japanese beetles have five white tufts under their wing coverings and another tuft at the end of their abdomen. Another sign of the Japanese beetle is damage. Japanese beetles leave skeletonized leaves or defoliate foliage in their wake.
Are Japanese Beetles A Problem?
While individual Japanese beetles aren’t particularly dangerous, these insects hatch in vast numbers and can swiftly defoliate a shrub, tree, or plant. Japanese Beetles appear in cycles: some years they’re practically nonexistent, while other years they’re all over the place. They are most active from late June until about September when the weather and climate cause them to die off. Adult Japanese beetles live for up to two months. If there is a major infestation, many plants may be severely harmed or even killed. You may not be able to completely get rid of Japanese beetles because of their overwhelming numbers, but there are still ways to regulate and prevent them.
How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles
To get rid of Japanese Beetles, a multi-step strategy is the best option. Sprays, trap plants, and coverings are all examples of this. Keep reading to find out how to keep Japanese beetles at bay with these six tips.
Insecticide
For excessive amounts of Japanese beetles, a pyrethrin-based insecticide might be most effective. It can be used on plants, flowers, roses, trees, and shrubs to reduce pest populations. Consider the fact that mature Japanese beetles are only around for a few weeks, so unless there is an extreme infestation, employing harsh insecticides isn’t necessary.
How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles Naturally
As noted above, insecticides can be an extreme measure. There are also a number of natural alternatives for ridding a yard of Japanese beetles.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide in neem seeds. It is golden to brown in color and smells like garlic/sulfur. It has been utilized for centuries for pests and disease control. To get the most antifeedant effect, use neem oil as soon as possible after feeding has taken place. The Japanese beetle loses interest in feeding because of the reduced plant nourishment provided by this natural pesticide.
Trap Plants
A common trap plant is a geranium. Geraniums contain a chemical that temporarily paralyzes Japanese beetles, rendering them vulnerable to predators. Trap plants are not like beetle traps. With beetle traps, a flowery aroma and beetle pheromones attract pests, which are then killed by an interwoven insecticide. While the amount they catch is impressive, these devices attract more Japanese beetles than they catch!
Soapy Solution
Japanese beetles can be suffocated by water and dish soap. Simply mix a quart of water with a teaspoon of dish soap. Any brand of dish soap will do. From here you have two options:
Spray
Pour the soapy water into a spray bottle, then spray the beetles on your afflicted plants. The beetles may fall from the plant and become prey for predators like birds.
Hand Pick
You can pick the beetles from the plant and drop them in a bucket of the water-soap solution. After you’re done, simply empty the bucket. Hand eradication is nothing to fear; Japanese beetles are slow-moving and do not bite or pinch, so they are easily removed. You can even wear a pair of thin gloves if you prefer.
Row Covers
A row cover may be the best way to prevent a Japanese beetle invasion. Row covers protect plants from Japanese beetles while allowing light and moisture so plants can continue to develop. Row coverings work best from mid-June to mid-August when the beetles are feeding heavily. It can be used on shrubs, trees, flowers, decorative plants, and garden vegetables.
Plants Japanese Beetles Infest
Although Japanese beetles feed on over three hundred plant species, some are more tempting than others! What plants should you grow to resist Japanese beetles?
10 Plants Japanese Beetles Are Most Attracted To:
Pin oakRosesAmerican lindenAppleRaspberryGrapevinesHibiscusJapanese mapleNorway mapleBirch
10 Plants Japanese Beetles Are Least Attracted To:
FirForsythiaHemlockHollyLilacMagnoliaAshBoxwoodBurning bushClematis
Keep in mind that although Japanese beetles are less likely to attack these plants, there is no assurance that they won’t if there aren’t enough food sources around.
