Few insects cause as much damage to certain plants and yards as the Japanese beetle.
These relatively new pests have already become a major problem in Florida and the southeastern states. Officials expect the beetles to spread too much of the country within the next few years.
If you have Japanese beetles in your yard, you need the plan to get rid of them before they destroy your landscaping and vegetation.
Want to learn how to Japanese beetle control? Keep reading to find out what you need to do to fight these pests.
Identify Their Habitat
The first step in getting rid of Japanese Beetles is identifying their habitat. Japanese Beetles are most commonly found in turfgrass, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and ornamental plants, though they can also be found in wooded areas.
They prefer to lay their eggs in the soil around these areas, so it is important to inspect these areas for signs of eggs. When these eggs hatch, the larvae will feed on the roots of these plants until they become adults.
To prevent infestation, it is recommended to ensure that the soil around these areas is dry. The eggs cannot hatch in dry soil.
Use Natural Predators
If you wish to get rid of Japanese beetles in your garden or landscape, use natural predators, such as birds, spiders, wasps, and predatory beetles. To do this, you can encourage birds to your garden by setting up birdhouses or bird baths. You can also introduce garden spiders, which can feed on Japanese beetles.
Wasps, such as fire ants and parasitic nematodes, can also reduce Japanese beetle populations. Finally, predatory beetles, such as the ground beetle, are known to feed on Japanese beetles. To attract them, try planting ground cover or low-lying shrubs to provide cover for the beetles.
With these natural predators, you can help reduce the Japanese beetle population without using insecticides, which may have potentially negative consequences for other beneficial insects and wildlife.
Apply Insecticides
The easiest and most effective way to get rid of pests that eat their greens is to apply insecticides. Select an insecticide specifically designed for controlling Japanese beetles and use it according to the instructions on the label.
Make sure to apply the insecticides on the foliage and other parts of the plants where the Japanese beetles feed. Begin using the insecticides as soon as you start noticing an infestation. Continue to apply the insecticide on a weekly basis until the Japanese beetles are under control.
Remove Grubs from the Soil
It is essential to remove grubs from the soil to get rid of Japanese Beetles. The best way to do this is to have regular lawn maintenance. This includes mowing your lawn regularly and detaching the grass to remove any grubs living in the soil.
It is also important to aerate your lawn to help provide better air circulation. This will make it more difficult for the grubs to survive.
Lastly, keep your lawn free of excess lawn debris, as it can attract Japanese Beetles.
Get Rid of These Japanese Beetles
Getting rid of Japanese beetles can be difficult, but there are effective strategies such as eliminating larvae and grub, using traps and insecticides, and using beneficial nematodes.
For the best results, combine multiple methods for the most effective defense against infestation. Contact your local extension office for more information and advice.
Don’t let Japanese beetles ruin your healthy garden – start fighting them off today!
Was this article helpful? If so, make sure to visit our main blog for more articles.
