Japanese beetles are one of the hardest pests to control. Although in Japan, where it originates from, it does not have a destructive effect due to the natural control from other predators, in the United States it destroys more than 300 species of plants including crape myrtles, canna, rose bushes, grapes, hops and many more. The first time it was identified in the United States was in 1916, in New Jersey. It is supposed that the larvae had entered the country with the iris bulbs imported before 1912. After this year, all the commodities entering the country were subject to inspections.
Japanese beetles destroy crops, flowers and gardens by eating all the foliage of the plants, leaving the veins in the leaf only. In most parts of the United States, the life cycle of Japanese beetles typically lasts a year, but in cooler climates it is extended to two years. In their larval stage, the beetles live in grasslands and lawns where they feed on the roots of the grasses. You can use a form of pest control that kills the Japanese beetles in larvae form; it is a biological control developed by the USDA. It is commercially available in powder form and it needs to be applied in lawn areas.
In order to achieve maximum protection against this pest, you'd have to use the above mentioned form of biological control for five years in a row. You could also plant natural repellants such as chives, garlic, tansy and catnip that keep Japanese beetles away. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the fact that such methods have limited effectiveness. When the Japanese beetles are present just in small number, you can hand pick them and use a soap-water spray mixture. Just shake the plants early in the morning when Japanese beetles are less active and dispose of the fallen beetles.
You should also try to attract natural predators of Japanese beetles such as anchor bugs. The pest can be kept under control even more efficiently when all the inhabitants of your neighborhood take active measures to eliminate the pest. Otherwise, some of the methods you may be using for pest control may just bring more Japanese beetles to your garden. This often happens with beetle traps that attract more beetles than they trap. That could be a real problem, for your garden and for your neighbors. The other major concern is whether to use insecticides to eliminate Japanese beetles. You can go organic or stick to commercial products.
Japanese beetles destroy crops, flowers and gardens by eating all the foliage of the plants, leaving the veins in the leaf only. In most parts of the United States, the life cycle of Japanese beetles typically lasts a year, but in cooler climates it is extended to two years. In their larval stage, the beetles live in grasslands and lawns where they feed on the roots of the grasses. You can use a form of pest control that kills the Japanese beetles in larvae form; it is a biological control developed by the USDA. It is commercially available in powder form and it needs to be applied in lawn areas.
In order to achieve maximum protection against this pest, you'd have to use the above mentioned form of biological control for five years in a row. You could also plant natural repellants such as chives, garlic, tansy and catnip that keep Japanese beetles away. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the fact that such methods have limited effectiveness. When the Japanese beetles are present just in small number, you can hand pick them and use a soap-water spray mixture. Just shake the plants early in the morning when Japanese beetles are less active and dispose of the fallen beetles.
You should also try to attract natural predators of Japanese beetles such as anchor bugs. The pest can be kept under control even more efficiently when all the inhabitants of your neighborhood take active measures to eliminate the pest. Otherwise, some of the methods you may be using for pest control may just bring more Japanese beetles to your garden. This often happens with beetle traps that attract more beetles than they trap. That could be a real problem, for your garden and for your neighbors. The other major concern is whether to use insecticides to eliminate Japanese beetles. You can go organic or stick to commercial products.
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