Japanese Beetle problem...big time. Help please.

LouAnn Edel
by LouAnn Edel
We are being invaded by quite a few Japanese Beetles. They are eating the leaves mainly on my strawberry plants and grape vine. We have tried the yeast and smashed banana mixture in a milk jug traps and the bucket of dish soap and water method of knocking them off into and it isn't working, they are getting worse. Any advise please.
  6 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 12, 2013
    I would try a neem-based spray. If that doesn't work, Purdue University has other pesticide recommendations here: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-75.pdf I would also consider treating your lawn with Milky Spore to try to help reduce future populations.
  • Lisa May Lisa May on Aug 12, 2013
    I had the same problem this year with Japanese beetles. They invaded my garden and were eating the leaves on my cherry trees and roses. I went to our local garden centre and they recommended using Malathion insecticide to get rid of them. dilute with water and spray trees and plants for 7 days. Wash your fruit thoroughly b4 eating. Hope this helps.
    • Isabella Tran Isabella Tran on Jul 13, 2016
      Lisa. Did the Malation insecticide work? I have tons this year and is driving me crazy. Please reply back. Thank you.
  • Catherine Smith Catherine Smith on Aug 12, 2013
    Agree with Douglas. You have to control the grubs in your lawn, which are the JB larva. Milky Spore is expensive and does take time to spread, but well worth the investment. I would also suggest you look into beneficial nematodes. They are less expensive, but only work about a year. You might also see if you can persuade your neighbors in a "eliminate the beetles project". That will greatly cut down on the problem. You can also plant "trap crops" of 4 o'clocks well away from your other plants. JB's love them and the flowers are highly toxic to the beetles.
  • LouAnn Edel LouAnn Edel on Aug 12, 2013
    Thank you for all your suggestions and will take them under advisement as we grow organic and hydroponic vegggies, fruits, etc. Catherine, we live in the country and therefore no neighbors to persuade but I will look into the 4 o'clock planting as we have plenty of property in which to place them.
  • Peg Peg on Aug 13, 2013
    I made the mistake years ago of putting up the J.beetle traps. WRONG! They contain phermones which attrack even more beetles!! Here's some plants to put in the gardens that repel Japanese beetles: gladiolas, coneflowers, daylilies, Shasta daisies, hollyhock, white mums, tansy, rue, larkspur, garlic, citronella, hibiscus, clematis, sunflowers, peonies, zinnias, climbing hydrangeas and morning glories. I still have a problem with the grubs, I find them all over when I'm weeding. I think I trained the birds in the yard though. I throw the grubs on the pavement, the birds seem to wait on the wires above for their snack arrival!! My dog even loves them!!
  • Linda Linda on Aug 13, 2013
    I used neem oil and it seems to work really well compared to what I used before. There aren't as many as I used to have