Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

[NelliesMom]

HELP!!!!!!! I made a few calls to the bigger garden stores to see what they would suggest for Japanese beetles. Half said to use "Eight" and half said to use "Sevin". That was until the next call. She said not to use either one because they will kill off the good insects. She suggested just shaking them off when I see them and letting them fall into a bucket of water. That sounds alright, except I'm not keeping a strict eye on my plants to watch for them that often.
I also heard about traps for them...some type of bag that hangs from a pole.

Now that my head is spinning...I'll ask for your experiences! (-:

Thanks in advance for your help!
Gina
John 10:9
www.opendoorchili.org

[Cindy]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

I used seven dust to get rid of mine when I lived in Georgia when they infested my roses. It worked well. I don't know if it killed good bugs or not, but my roses were saved.

[Manzanita]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

If you use the bags, be sure to locate them in a distant part of the yard away from the infestation. That draws the beetles away from the plants you're trying to save.

I notice so many people in my neighborhood hang the bags next to their trees or bushes & that only defeats the purpose. The bags contain a scent that is supposed to lure the beetles & you don't want them "lured" to their "food source." ie: your plants!

[shumway]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

The bags will draw the beetles.

I use Sevin. Yes it will kill off the good bugs too.

[chickyp]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

We have them by the zillions this year. I absolutely hate those things! Since I try to use organic means of pest control here I don't recommend using Sevin. Manzanita is right, the bags are a lure and they mainly attract more beetles.
Knocking the stupid things into a bucket of soapy water is a full-time job now. Putting milky spore on your lawn to kill them in grub form is one of the best plans. It is expensive and it works over a long period, but worth it. Other than that all I can say is get a flame thrower!!!
Of course, your plants will suffer, too!

[CalicoSkiesNC]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

You want to get stuff called Milky Spore at Lowes or Home depot or a garden center. For my yard, I paid about $35 5yrs ago to treat, I have .25acre. I never see a japanese beetle, in my yard or my neighbors, we all treated 5yrs ago. Its a powder application that really is a bacteria that will thrive in your lawn's soil, eating/preventing the grubs from living there that the japanese beetle larvae feed on all year, underground until they erupt and eat everything green in your gardens for one month of the year, then they will lay more eggs in your lawn in prep for the huge family reunion they will have NEXT SUMMER in your yard. You have to eliminate their food source, the grubs, before you can eradicate them from your yard.

The milky spore has directions for applying it in a grid over your entire lawn. Within 2yrs, you will have full protection, meaning no grubs and no jbeetle larvae. The milky spore doesn't die, doesn't wash away, it continues to grow/thrive while creating a toxin that prevents the grubs and larvae from surviving in your soil. Its completely safe for kids, people, pets. You won't even know its there. Japanese beetles will have to grow in someone else's yard. The Milky Spore will not kill the beetle infestation you have now, so you may still want to treat those. I've heard of using Sevin, but never even heard of a product called Eight. If you put Milky Spore out this summer, you will see a huge decrease next summer, but it will take till the 2nd summer to notice they are not in your lawn anymore.

[cottun]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

Havent seen any beetles here yet this year, but last year my backyard had millions of them! I tried those beetle-bags for the first time, not really trusting that they would work. I was amazed - I hung up the bags and the next morning when I woke up, they were all FULL of beetles. I started seeing less and less beetles on my plants, and after about a week, I didnt have a serious problem with them anymore. I kept bags hanging up for another month or so "just in case" and took them down when I didnt catch anymore beetles in them.

Editted to add: I took the advice I got here and put down Milky Spore last year. That may be why I havent seen any beetles this year. I also havent seen any more moles in my yard - that was the main reason I put the Milky Spore down.

[hunebe]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

I was going to recommend milky spore also. It really works. But, while it is great stuff, it won't solve your current problem. I would suggest Sevin and traps for this season.

[MaryJo]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

My neighbor used the milky spore and I plan to get some now. Last year we both used traps - we both lost our beans to the beetles - we trapped HUGE amounts of them. This year I've only seen 7-8 beetles so far and have squashed them, but do have traps ready to hang if we have an infestation again. Last year was horrible. Hope you find a good solution to your immediate problem. I know how frustrating these pests can be.

[NelliesMom]

Re: Japanese beetle help need PLEASE!!!!

MaryJo,

I talked to a tree and landscape specialist and he mentioned putting the traps at least 10 feet from where the beetles like to party. He also mentioned milky spore (I'd never hear of it before). He highly recommended it and I told my family about it. We're going to check out doing both things.

Gina
John 10:9
www.opendoorchili.org