Japanese Beetles-mean lady bugs

Reader asks "How do you get rid of those bugs that look like lady bugs but are really bad "


Japanese Beetles are a problem in most states east of the Mississippi. Here is a description of the adult Japanese beetle. It is about a half an inch long. It's body is bronze outer wings and a green body. You do not want to get close enough to see this so take my word. It has 6 tufts of white hair along it's sides and under the edges of it's wings.  

You may confuse a Japanese Beetle with a June Bug also known as a  June Beetle. This photo illustrates the two. The Japanese Beetle is on the right. 

The USDA recommends using IPM, Integrated Pest management, strategies in the prevention and control of Japanese Beetles. This is a strategy consisting of a few things to keep the problem controlled. If you are having a problem this season then your battle is just beginning.

If you are dealing with a Spring, Early Summer issue with the pests first try spraying your plants and the bugs with soapy water.  If they are focussing on one of your most valuable plants. Cover it during the active season. You can also buy chemicals and beetle traps. The traps are not recommended because they lure more beetles from up to 2 miles away. You will have to judge yourself wether you want to use chemicals. Think about what you are spraying and where. 

NOW -Prevention. 

 1.  If they are in the air now they will soon be in your lawn.  Female Beetles lay their eggs in late summer. The grubs are born in your lawn and eat at the roots. If you identify patches of brown grass in your green lawn check there for grubs. The females are also attracted to wet moist areas to lay their eggs. If you let your lawn remain drier they are less likely to lay eggs in it.  There are pesticides to kill them. Once again it is up to you to judge wether you want to use chemicals on your site. At this stage you can remove them mechanically. That means get close to touching them. Eww. However, the grubs are not moving.  After examining the situation in Fall do the same in the Spring. 

  2. As an alternative to chemicals there biological agents that naturally ward them off.  I know this does not sound easy and may sound a bit creepy but nematodes, parasites, and fungi are used with success in controlling the Japanese Beetle population. Nematodes will prey on the beetles an can be applied to your garden or yard with water. They are available on line at this site http://www.buglogical.com. This is similar to releasing ladybugs to we  prevent aphids. They are also available at lawn and garden shops. 

  3. Changes in the habitat.. The USDA says it is not "...necessary to eliminate the beetle in order to protect your trees, plants, and lawn." Consider what plants attract the pests and what plants don't. This will make them less likely to come feast in your yard. 

Here are there two lists of the best and worst plants. A woody plant is one that does not dies to the ground in the winter. Shrubs and trees for example. 

20 Woody Plants Resistant to Adult Japanese Beetle Feeding

 1. Red maple 
 2. Boxwood
 3. Hickory 
 4. Redbud

 5. Tulip poplar
 6. Dogwood 
 7. Burning-bush 
 8. Forsythia

 9. Ash 
10. Holly 
11. Juniper 
12. Sweetgum 
13. Magnolia 
14. Spruce 
15. Pine 
16. Northern red oak 
17. Lilac 
18. Yew 
19. Arborvitae 
20. Hemlock

Acer rubrum Buxus spp. Carya spp. Cercis spp. Liriodendron tulipifera Cornus spp. Euonymus spp. Forsythia spp. Fraxinus spp.

Ilex spp. Juniperus spp. Liquidambar styraciflua Magnolia spp. Picea spp. Pinus spp. Quercus rubrum Syringa spp. Taxus spp. Thuja spp. Tsuga spp.

Woody Plants Susceptible to Adult Japanese Beetle Feeding

Primary:

 1. Japanese maple Acer palmatum

 2. Norway maple Acer platanoides

 3. Crape-myrtle Lagerstroemia indica

 4. Apple, crabapple Malus spp.

 5. Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 

 6. Plum, apricot, Prunus spp.cherry, peach 

 7. Pin oak Quercus palustris 8    

Sassafras American mountain-ash Linden (American, European)

Sassafras albidum Sorbus americana Tilia spp.