How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

Adult Japanese beetles are pests that can devastate a garden or farmer's field. They are quite willing to feed on over three hundred types of plants. They are distinguished from only beetles by metallic green coloring, and copperish wing covers. Adults are nearly half an inch long and have white tufts that help distinguish them from similar colored beetles. How do you manage Japanese beetles?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Orthene Turf
• Carbaryl like Sevin
• Garden Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate
• Lambda-cyhalothrin Spectracide® Triazici
• Japanese beetle traps
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Vinegar
• Spray bottle

1. Place Japanese beetle traps strategically around your yard. Do not place them right beside your plants. While they catch thousands of beetles, they attract even more by mimicking the scent of the virgin female beetle or a sweet smelling food. The plants around the traps may suffer more damage than they would have without the traps.

2. Fill spray bottle about half full of water. Add half a cup of dish soap, a tablespoon of garlic powder, tablespoon of cayenne pepper, and fill the bottle the rest of the way with vinegar.

3. 
    
   Pick them off by hand

   Pick beetles off by hand in the early morning when they are out in full force. Take a quart jar to put them in. Spread a rubber glove over the top and cut a slit in it. This will prevent them from escaping. Put some insecticide or vinegar in the bottom of the jar to kill them.

4. Sprinkle Sevin on plants about once a week. Notice however, that using Sevin can increase mites and aphids.

5. 
    
   Use pesticides on plants

   Use other pesticides such as Spectracide® Triazici on plants.

6. Import wasps that are a natural preditor of Japanese beetles.

7. Plant some plants that are known to not attract Japanese Beetles such as evergreen type plants. Here is a list of plants that are more likely to attract Japanese Beetles and plants that do not attract them. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef409.asp

Tips & Warnings

• Carbaryl such as Sevin and permethrin can cause mites and aphids to increase their numbers.
• Make sure products suggested are legal in your state or country.
• Read the directions of any pesticide before use and follow the label directions.

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[painthorse42]

on 10/14/2008 Great article! I hate Japanese beetles! Thanks for the tips! 5*

[showpup]

on 8/25/2008 Thanks for this advice. We have Japanese Beetles everywhere here! ugh. Nasty things!