How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles in the House
Japanese beetles are considered a huge pain when it comes to plants, gardens and trees surrounding homes, but when they come inside looking for a reprieve from less-than-suitable weather, they are more unwelcome than estranged in-laws. So what is the safest, greenest way to get rid of these obnoxious house pests without burning the house down? It requires minimal ingredients and a little bit of time in the morning. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Gardening gloves
- Bucket
- Dish soap
- Water
- 3 tbsp. garlic powder or juice
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Mix dish soap and water in the bucket.
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2
Put on the gardening gloves.
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3
Physically pick up every Japanese beetle you find, and toss it in the bucket to drown.
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4
Dispose in the toilet or outside away from the house.
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5
Mix the garlic, cayenne pepper and canola oil in the spray bottle.
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6
Fill the rest of the bottle up with hot water. Shake.
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7
Spray around the areas of your home where the beetles were found.
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8
Add a strong essential oil such as clove or orange to mask the garlic smell around the house.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Searching and picking up beetles is best done in the morning because they are less active and more groggy from the cool night. They are not harmful, but it is the best policy to wear some sort of protection for your hands. Implement this practice in spring if your home is a frequent choice for beetles. The spray should kill the beetles. Japanese beetles hate garlic, so if you plant garlic around your yard or keep some garlic plants in your home, you should not have a Japanese beetle problem for very long.
