Japanese beetles

[jcummins]

For non food source plants we use Sevens. Couple women in this household do not want to use Sevens in the garden. For the garden, Diatomaceous Earth and this year we bought some beetle traps. The traps work, got bunches in the bags,(Spectracide) but we still have bunches in the plants in the garden. Actually wondering if the traps are drawing in the beetles.

How is everyone else handling this.

 

[dave1949]

They haven't made their appearance here yet this year. I used the bag traps last year. We never had them here until we started mowing the yard and doing some gardening. I think our yard and garden are the origin of the beetle population.

I think if you have neighbor's lawns and gardens around you the traps will draw some from them too. A bag full of dead beetles is so satisfying though.

 

[DFB]

Traps draw them for sure...Milky Spore worked for me. Haven't had problems since.

 

[dave1949]

Traps draw them for sure...Milky Spore worked for me. Haven't had problems since.

Did it take a couple of seasons to establish the milky spore population? I've read it can take a couple years depending on soil conditions and the spores may die out too.

The voles did a lot of tunneling in patches of our yard over the winter. Hopefully they were snacking on beetle grubs.

 

[DFB]

Ya dave the results weren't immediate but were noticeable after several seasons.

 

[NorTracNY]

I was told that the best use of the traps is for you to buy them for your neighbors. They do trap, but also attract the beetles.

I use to have the beetles eat my roses and raspberries like crazy. I got chickens about 8 years ago and I haven't had a year that the beetles were a problem since. Either the beetles just aren't a problem in my area like they use to be, or the chickens are a miracle cure for them.

 

[RalphVa]

You always put traps way away from where you don't want the bugs being trapped. I've successfully used beetle traps but put them way down at the bottom of the hill, probably about an 1/8 of a mile away.

Ralph

 

[rekees4300]

How is everyone else handling this.

Dawn dish soap is effective.

 

[jcummins]

Dawn dish soap is effective.

How? Just spray the plants? Diluted?

 

[rekees4300]

How? Just spray the plants? Diluted?

Mix a few drops per gallon of water.

Dawn As an Insecticide for Gardens | Garden Guides