What is a Japanese Beetle?
Japanese Beetles are some of the prettiest bugs around, and in many cases, just as with another pretty insect from Asia, the Spotted Lanternfly, Japanese Beetles are very invasive and damaging. They have a very voracious appetite for destruction, and their taste is vast. But yes, they are very pretty, shiny and bright with somewhat of a gold or brownish body/wings and and shiny emerald green head. It’s almost a shame to kill them, but they absolutely must go!
What are grubs?
Grubs are white larvae, ranging from approximately ¾” to larger ones that can be 2” or more. (those big ones are great for fishing). They are generally “C” shaped and look nothing like their adult form, Japanese Beetles or many other beetles like June Bugs, Chafers etc. Grubs too are very voracious, but they go after lawns and turf, eating away at the root system, causing death to lawns in late August thru early fall. If you notice brown patches in late summer surrounded by green grass, it’s probably grubs. That grass will rip up like a carpet.
What are the target plants of Japanese Beetles?
Well, we already know that the grubs (larvae of beetles) go after grass roots, but what do the adult beetles go after? There are many different plants and trees on the beetle menu. Many flowers are favorites such as native varieties of many perennials like Joe Pye Weed, Coneflowers on occasion and most certainly all kinds of roses. There isn’t a rose they don’t like. So for all of you who think that no-care roses (knockouts etc.) are free…think again. As far as trees are concerned, Japanese Beetles love Linden trees, Cherry trees, fruit trees of all kinds, to name a few.
What do we do about them?
Treating your lawn with a grub treatment in late summer/early fall is the best thing as it’ll kill most of the babies in the ground before they can become adults the following spring. It’s best to treat then because the eggs that just hatched are very, very small and can’t handle the pesticide, Organic or non- organic. Also, if they do become adults, an Organic application of Pyganic will kill them on contact. There are plenty of non-organic methods, but since this is an Organic company, I’ll avoid talking about them. There’s also a product we use called BeetleGone! That is a 100% Organic biologic that over time eats away at the adults and is also a great grub lawn treatment. DON’T FORGET…if you do treat your lawn, it has to be watered in within 24 hours otherwise all insecticides for lawn become neutral.
What have we learned?
Very simply, no matter how pretty and fancy Japanese Beetles are, they are very damaging and need to be eradicated. Do it in late summer/early fall to get the young grubs or in summer the following year to get the adults. They are voracious and will decimate your plants very quickly! By the way, fret not, I’m sure some other insect will come along soon to add to the list of nasty bugs we need to deal with.
*** Plant Health Organics is a 100% Organic land care company serving Central NJ and Bucks County PA. We are PROUD of the work we do and know full well that what we do is BEST for you and our world. Contact us at 908-335-0553.***
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