Japanese Beetles and their larval grub form are arguably the most destructive garden pests you can face, capable of destroying your entire lawn or garden in only a matter of days. Most prevalent in the warmer months, these damaging scarab beetles lay their eggs in the soil during mid summer. These soon hatch into grubs which start eating your lawn from just under the soil surface until they emerge in spring as adult Japanese beetles.
For these reasons, Japanese beetles can be an intimidating bug to tackle. But don't worry, getting rid of and preventing Japanese beetles with Cedarcide is simple, and we're going to show you exactly how to do it. Here’s how to control Japanese beetles in just 3 steps.
1. PREVENTION
The absolute most important step in preparing for and controlling Japanese beetles is prevention. Not only is it the easiest, least expensive approach, it’s also by far the most impactful. Whether you constantly struggle with Japanese beetles or have never had them before, the following tips will help you avoid costly Japanese beetle issues moving forward:
- Overly wet lawns lead to larger, more damaging grub and Japanese beetle populations. To avoid this, water your lawn as little as possible through July, August, and the latter parts of June. Doing this will reduce the number of grubs and adult beetles you’ll experience the following year.
- During Japanese beetle season—late spring through summer—avoid cutting your grass too short, aiming for about 3 inches instead. Females prefer to lay their eggs in shorter grass and keeping your turf longer can help limit Japanese beetle populations.
- If you garden, make sure to harvest your fruits & veggies early and often. Additionally, if you tend to struggle with Japanese beetles every year, consider switching out your plants, avoiding Japanese beetles’ favorite foods, such as apples, peaches, plums, beans, raspberries, hibiscus, and roses.
- Japanese beetles are most attracted to rotting and overripe plants, so keeping a healthy lawn and garden is key. Promptly remove diseased or otherwise dying plants, grasses, trees, fruits and vegetables before they attract additional beetles to your yard.
- Avoid using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in your lawn, doing so could decrease the health of your lawn, leading to larger Japanese beetle populations.
- Attracting predators like birds and reptiles to your lawn is an effective and natural way to prevent serious Japanese beetle problems. Invite birds by offering baths and feeders, and attract reptiles by offering shallow dishes of water and cool, dark places for them to hide (an overturned planter works great for this!)
- Targeting Japanese beetles in their larval grub stage is an efficient way to devastate their populations before they mature into adults. In addition to applying Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Control monthly, beneficial nematodes, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, and milky spore are all effective, eco-friendly options.
- Employing row covers or drop cloths over vulnerable or appetizing plants will help both prevent Japanese beetle problems and their infamous damage.
2. PROTECT YOUR LAWN & GARDEN
Start by spraying your lawn, garden and all shrubbery with Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Control twice two weeks apart, and then just monthly after that. Not only will this kill, repel and help prevent Japanese beetles, it will also control other unwanted bugs, like mosquitoes, wasps, ants, fleas, ticks, scorpions, chiggers and more.
Next, broadcast 100% natural Cedarcide Cedar Granules throughout the most affected or vulnerable areas for extra protection, especially around and throughout gardens and spaces containing mulch.
For best results, continue treating with both Outdoor Bug Control and Cedarcide Granules monthly until freezing temps return. Then start re-applying again at the first signs of spring, just as soon as temps start to crawl back into the upper 40s
Because Outdoor Bug Control and Cedar Granules are plant-based and family-safe, no downtime is necessary. You, your family, and pets can enjoy your lawn right after application!
You can find both Outdoor Bug Control and Cedar Granules bundled together at an additional discount in our Bug-Free Lawn Kit linked below⬇
3. REMOVE THEM BY HAND
In addition to the prevention methods outlined above and treating your lawn and garden monthly, removing Japanese beetles by hand is one of the most effective approaches for getting rid of these terrible pests. Granted, It’s not the quickest, but the results speak for themselves.
For best results, venture out into your lawn & garden in the early morning when Japanese beetles are most active. Wearing gloves, remove any Japanese beetles you come across. Be careful not to squeeze or damage them, doing so could attract more beetles. Finally, dispose of the collected beetles by dropping them in a bucket of soapy water (2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap per 1 gallon of water).