Japanese beetles

**frugalmel** · 09-18-2003, 03:47 PM

I learned something!

Some of you may know I am taking a master gardener's class through my local extension office. I learned something that might help everyone with a Japanese beetle problem, so I thought I would share.

The best way to prevent Japanese beetles is to stop them before they become beetles. They start their life cycles as eggs and then grubs in the ground. The best way to get rid of them is to stop them while they are in the grub stage. The optimum time is around August 15 or so. Apply grub killer (name brand tends to work better than store brand/generic) to your lawn. We can still do this now, but have to do it before the weather cools down and the bugs head lower to the warmer soil.

If you miss the opportunity to do this in the fall, it can be done in EARLY June, but is less effective.

Hope this helps! I am off to get a bag o' grub killer!

**Dixie** · 09-18-2003, 03:55 PM

Thank you so much! Those darn things stripped my rosebush, last summer.

I'm off to buy grub killer!

**Missy** · 09-18-2003, 03:56 PM

Thanks!!!

**Sara Noel** · 09-18-2003, 04:04 PM

You can also call your local extension office for a more precise time to apply a product because it can be costly and you don't want to apply it too soon or too late.

It's good to rid your lawn of them because they can make your grass turn brown in patches and also attract critters like skunks and moles that can cause even more damage. (not to mention damage to other plants)

Plus they are soooo gross looking. yuck.

**Darlene** · 09-18-2003, 07:57 PM

They are public enemy#1 in my garden. We had a super low turnout of them this year. In years past I knock them off wherever they are in to my bucket of water and then pour the water on the ground & moosh 'em. Probably alreadytold you that before but...

Thanks for the Tip! You must be having a blast learning so much about gardening.