The Japanese Beetles are coming!!!!!!!!

Good Morning!  Pest Armageddon 2010 continues....it's June that means the Japanese Beetles are coming.  


The Japanese beetle originated in Japan,hence the name... They came to North America in the early 1900s. The first  Japanese iris bulbs arrived in the United States in 1912. Japanese beetles were noticed in 1916 on iris bulbs.   These beetles, which live in woods, gardens and open meadows, are found throughout most of  the United States except for the extreme southeastern region.

Japanese Beetle larvae overwinter in the soil and move upward in the soil as the ground warms in May & June.  They begin emerging as adults in June & July. 

Chemical insecticides such as sprays or granules can effectively control Japanese beetle larvae that live in soil.  Insecticidal spays work on adult beetles. There also Pheromone Traps that lure adults.  There is some debate over whether this method helps control the problem or exacerbates it by attracting adults into your garden/yard to the trap.  If you use the Pheromone Traps hang them AWAY from your garden. Another control method is to spread a sheet under infested plants and then shake the plant so beetles fall on the sheet to be dumped into a container of soapy water.

Good Luck & Happy Gardening!