Japanese beetles can be one of the most destructive insects within the yard. If you have plants you can garantee that you will have to battle the Japanese Beetle.
It’s important to know that while grubs living under your lawn will hatch into japanese beetles you should also know that if you have japanese beetles eating your plants they will lay eggs in your lawn that turn into larvae called grubs.
These larvae hatch every spring and turn into a destructive green beetle. These beetles will cause severe damage to the leaves of your roses and many other plants in the landscape. Here’s how everything works in a nut shell. The eggs are laced in the soil they turn to larvae called grubs which start to feed on the roots of your lawn near the soil surface. You will notice this when it starts to get hot and dry and your grass is not performing or dead. The grass does not have the root system necessary to pull in nutrients and moisture to stay alive. You will also notice that areas of your lawn are spongy. This is the result of the grubs tunneling through the lawn as they eat and destroy. A perfect way to tell how severe the damage is if you are able to pull the grass up like a piece of carpet and notice the desiminated roots.
Now there are some friend that can help you out like skunks, birds and other animals that dig for food during the fall months. They cause a lot of damage and let’s face it we don’t put our time and money into a lawn just to have it dug up.
In the summer grubs are usually just under the soil but when winter arrives they go deeper where they sit inactive until the soil temperatures start to increase in spring. After they hatch and begin eating your plants they start laying 20 – 60 eggs and this is where you start ripping your hair out.
If you dig up your soil and you notice 6 grubs per square foot its time to think about some way to get them under control.
There are 5 ways to help cut back and eventually destroy the japanese beetle infestation in your lawn.
1. Prarsitic nematodes Calle Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
– These nematodes infects the grub with a bacteria that begins to destroy the hard shell and flesh of the grub. The nematode then starts to feed on the grub. They can be applied to soil with a consistent temperature of 45 degrees. The nematode only attack soil pests like fleas ,grubs, ticks etc. They do not attack lady bugs or any other helpful insects.
2. Milkey spore
Although it is the oldest way of fighting japanese beetle infestation it has proven to still be the most affective. It works when the Mickey spore is applied to the soil and the grubs ingest the bacteria. The grub’s insides turn a milkey solution that leads to death. The milkey solution is then released into the soil where the is then more for other grubs to eat. The ideal time to add this to the soil is when temperatures are 60-70 degrees.
3. Beetle traps
There are many mixed reviews about Japanese Beetle traps. Some website will tell you that they work great while other will say they lure beetles to your lawn. I have personally used these and have found them to be quite effective. This is one of those that you will have tp choose for yourself.
4. Neem oil
One of the oldest spray insecticides that still have a enormous impact is Neem oil. It is originated from the seeds of a Neem tree. The oil acts as a repellant deterring the insect to continue feeding. It also will also effect the insects ability to grow and lay eggs. Just remember that this is not a one spray and your done. You will have to spray after every rain or every 14 days. It is environmentally safe for plants, pets and children.
5. Hand Pick Them
The last one and it may not be the easiest way in cutting down the infestation but it can be the most effective. It can be time consuming but keep at it and incision the end result. Japanese beetles are pretty harmless to humans so knocking three or four at a time into a bucket of soapy water. This will cause them to drown.
Well, That’s it I hope you find this helpful in the fight against Japanese Beetles. Just be patient and diligent in the fight and you will come out successful.