Japanese Beetle Season
What You Can do When it Strikes
By: Christina T.
Japanese Beetle Season is upon us and we all know from past years just how nasty these little buggers can be. The Japanese Beetles will soon be making their appearance, generally in July and into August. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of Japanese Beetles.
3 Steps for Getting Rid of Japanese Beetles This Year
Hand pick adult beetles: This is the most effective way of tackling the problem head on, but it is one of the most time-consuming methods. The best time to start collecting the beetle is in the morning. They are more sluggish during this time. Simply collect them using a container or drop cloth and then place them in a bucket of soapy water. The soap makes their wings stick making them unable to fly. Remove damaged foliage and other dead beetles as this can only attract more to the area.
Japanese beetle traps: These traps do a wonderful job at collecting them and trapping them into the bags, however they do give off a pheromone that attracts even more unwanted beetles to the area. It is recommended to place the trap out for one day, catching the immediate beetles and taking it down, so you don’t collect a whole neighborhood worth of Japanese Beetles.
Neem oil: This botanical insecticide will help reduce the feeding of the insects and is safe for honeybees and other beneficial insects. It is best to apply Neem Oil when plant damage is first sighted.
Products We Carry Now:
Neem Oil
Grub Beater
Eight
Plants that will Help deter Japanese Beetles:
Catnip
Chives
Onions
Marigolds
White Geranium
Here is a list of trees that might be affected by the Japanese Beetles:
American chestnut
American elm
American linden
American mountain ash
apple
black cherry
black walnut
cherry
flowering crabapple
grapes
gray birch
hollyhock
horse chestnut
Norway Maple
plum
roses
Here is a list of some trees that should be better off and show no sign of Japanese Beetle damage:
American elder
arborviate
black oak
boxelder
common lilac
fir
green ash
hemlock
holly
juniper
pine
red maple
rhododendron
scarlet oak
silver maple
spruce