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Japanese Beetles: What Can You Do? |
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Unfortunately, Japanese Beetles have no natural predators in the United States, and they are spreading rapidly westward. An abundance of favorable food plants and the ability to fly up to 5 miles makes controlling Japanese Beetles a problem.
Japanese Beetles and Japanese Beetle grubs cause damage to foliage, shrubbery, trees lawn and turf. Any rose lover knows wht they can do – in just a couple of days! Complete defoliation of plants is possible and very quick if steps are not taken to control the problem early on. The death of lawn and turf grasses happens slowly but steadily as Japanese Beetle grub populations increase over a few years’ time.
Fortunately, getting rid of Japanese Beetles isn’t impossible. Because of their destructiveness, a great deal of research has gone into developing strategies for controlling the Japanese Beetle individually and as a community. Please click here to get more information.
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July 11th, 2009 at 11:33 am
You didn’t mention Milky Spore. What do you think about its effectiveness?
July 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Thank you SO much for this information.
They hit my yard in Downers Grove last week.
CB
July 11th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Where can one purchase Neem oil products?
Thanks!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Neem oil products should be available at your local hardware store or garden center. You can also order through online outlets.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Milky Spore is a bacterium, Bacillus popillae, which is lethal primarily for Japanese beetle grubs. Once applied, it can remain in the soil for many years. In warm climates, good control of the Japanese beetle can occur in one to three years; in cooler climates, three to five years. It is considered an organic treatment for Japanese Beetle grubs.
I was able to find a number of outlets online for the product. You should also check with your local garden center.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I use dishwashing liquid and water in a plastic disposable cup. I use about two squirts of the soap and fill the cup about 2/3 full. I enjoy tapping the bugs so they fall in the cup. It’s cathartic!
July 11th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Milky spore treatment is only effective if all of your neighbors use it as a lawn treatment too, since Japanese Beetles will fly into your yard to eat your tasty roses from your neighbors yards.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Where do Japanese Beetles go at night or when it rains?
July 12th, 2009 at 11:42 am
does diatomaceous earth work on Japanese beetles?
July 13th, 2009 at 7:03 am
How much tap water per tablespoon of castor oil soap? Spray
bottles come in several different sizes.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Milky spore disease is not considered to be as effective in our colder climate as it is farther south. If we have a cold winter, it sometimes does not survive. A better organic alternative to kill all grubs, not just Japanese beetle grubs, is to use beneficial nematodes which are microscopic roundworms which seek out the grubs and kill them.
People who spray dish soap on their plants may damage their plants. Dish soap was meant to wash dishes and sometimes kills leaves. If you insist on spraying dish soap on your leaves, first test the soap for safety by spraying the soap on a leaf or two and wait a few days to see what happens.
However, if you shake the beetles into a bucket of soapy water (not spraying it on the leaves), they will drown.