In addition to picking them off, how to get rid of Japanese beetles

csantamaria 7/9/2020, 12:08 pm

Need help with Japanese beetles

OhioGardener 7/9/2020, 2:30 pm

I use a small plastic bucket, like a ice cream bucket, put a couple inches of water in it and add a few drops of dish soap, and then hold the bucket under the leaves with the beetle(s) on them, and knock the beetles into the water. They die instantly because of the soap. I go out every evening around 5:30 or 6:00 as the beetles are settling in for the night, and collect the beetles as they land. I have trap plants near all of the gardens to attract the Japanese Beetles - Evening Primrose are the best trap plants, and Zinnias are the next best. The beetles will collect on the trap plants, which makes it easy to collect them and they leave the gardens alone.

This year, though, we have not yet seen any Japanese Beetles. Might be because I applied GrubGONE to the entire lawn and gardens last fall, but not sure.

csantamaria 7/9/2020, 5:40 pm

Explains why they love my zinnias! I go out several times a day and squish them or drop them in a jar as you suggested. They are slowing down!

AuntieBeth 7/9/2020, 6:58 pm

Just finding their favorite plant and then going out in the morning or evening (When they're not as likely to fly off when they see me coming near) and tapping the leaf they're on over a cup of water. Then I feed them to the chickens and ducks. I don't prefer to squish them myself but when I'm out without my water cup I resort to it. I always find them on the Rose of Sharons first, then the Muscadines and blackberries. If I catch them there first I don't worry about them getting other stuff I'd like to eat instead of them.

**AtlantaMarie** 7/16/2020, 7:49 am

Hi AuntieBeth & CSantaMaria. Welcome from Atlanta, GA. We get lots of them...

One recommendation I've heard is to give traps to your neighbors as "gifts". Then the beetles are attracted to their yards rather than yours... Dunno if it actually works. And, of course, dunno how "ethical" it would be, lol. But it's a thought!

csantamaria 7/16/2020, 8:19 am

Good idea! Apparently the cycle is just about over. I hardly see any, and I check a few times each day. Thanks!

Dan in Ct 7/17/2020, 10:52 am

We are having a plethora of emerging turf grubs this year here in Ct., Japanese, Asiatic Garden, Oriental beetles and the Green June Bugs which are also beetles. I use 5 gallon buckets with water in them to trap the beetles, especially Asiatic Garden and Oriental beetles because they are nocturnal and you can get an assessment to the numbers. Easiest control is when they are grubs in the turf where they do considerable damage on the roots. I believe they all have just one generation a year but spend more time in turf as larvae and grubs. We have been in a minor drought even though the western portion is only down a 1/2". We in the center are down over 6", even in a very small state weather patterns can make a big difference

csantamaria 7/17/2020, 10:57 am

Tell me more about the grubs. How to identify, when to find them. I know I can Google this info. I live south of Richmond VA.

Dan in Ct 7/17/2020, 11:37 am

csantamaria, Here are two links, no three links but never overlook the Extension Service of your own state. The first step is always identification, then the when and how to control.

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ent/ent10/ent10.pdf

https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/scarab-beetle-japanese-oriental-asiatic-garden-beetles

https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/43856/grubs-in-lawn-bro-NYSIPM.pdf?sequence=1

csantamaria 7/17/2020, 1:50 pm

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'm going to check those out.

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In addition to picking them off, how to get rid of Japanese beetles

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I agree about Japanese Beetles

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