Japanese Beetles?

Anyone have any thoughts n Japanese beetles? I was told by a neighbor that he had a bad case of Japanese beetles eating his basil. Im new to the Northeast and have never seen these before. With all of the wilderness around me I doubt treating the laswn for brubs will be that effective. Would it be better to focus on some sort of bug netting or perhaps a safe spray that would retard the bug attack. I would think these beetles to not stand a chance aginst all the birds..but I have to think about what the guy next door said. It sounded like an extreme infestation as he told me he would shake the plant befor picking and the beetles would swarm outa there. If I end up having to net my crop, I may put a couple plants out as a test to see just how bad they are at destroying the plant. Winters here have been much less severe in the last 3 or 4 years so perhaps this plays to the increse in activity..perhaps it doesnt matter with a critter that originates as a grub in the ground where its warm. I have to wonder if an inflatable bird or ceramic frogs would help deter them..?? any help very much appriciated.
Thanx

You are right. Japanese beetles originate as grubs, so a first line of defense would be to treat your lawn for grubs each year if infestation is present. Second, do not use so-called Japanese beetle traps. they consist of a pheromone designed to attract the beetle to the trap, and studies have shown they simply attract more of them to your area. I believe they only way to control them is to go over your target plants daily to inspect them for the beetles. Don't simply shake the plant to get them away. They'll just come back later. If you find them, simply squish them between your fingers. If you can't bring yourself to do that, just drop them in a cup of soapy water which will kill them.

f&ck those beetles...............

great advice and pictures as well.. squash i will.
perhaps the nets are the answer. this will be a lesson i see.
i will maybe buy some mantis.. i suspect they arent real close friends

I have problems each summer with them. I get 100s on my plants none ediible plants all flowers.They will strip a 7 foot rose bush of leaves, flowers and buds in a couple of days! I spray weekly with a Japnese beetle spray. that does the job.There are sprays that you can use on fruits also. If you have a bad infestion then daily picking them off won't do the trick.. Milky Spore Milky Spore Powder for Japanese Beetle Grub Control in Lawns & Gardens at Home Harvest Garden Supply can be used to treat your lawn that does work for the grubs its expensive..

They are such a pretty beetle emerald green like the jewel color but dam they sure can chow down on a garden.. And don't use the beetle traps!!!!! That just attracts swarms of them. I can't see nets working unless it was very fine netting..

gardenandcats said:

I have problems each summer with them. I get 100s on my plants none ediible plants all flowers.They will strip a 7 foot rose bush of leaves, flowers and buds in a couple of days! I spray weekly with a Japnese beetle spray. that does the job.There are sprays that you can use on fruits also. If you have a bad infestion then daily picking them off won't do the trick.. Milky Spore Milky Spore Powder for Japanese Beetle Grub Control in Lawns & Gardens at Home Harvest Garden Supply can be used to treat your lawn that does work for the grubs its expensive..

They are such a pretty beetle emerald green like the jewel color but dam they sure can chow down on a garden.. And don't use the beetle traps!!!!! That just attracts swarms of them. I can't see nets working unless it was very fine netting..

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You guys n gals sure arent building up my hopes of a garden here.. your supposed to reccomend some sort of magic pixy dust or somthin..
Well it looks as though it may be a rough summer ahead. I plan on devoting all of my grow room resources to my soon to be aeroponic strawberry bed.
Wanting to run both 600w lights on them and explode the growth.. how am I supposed to do this with a room full of matos and bells that are to scared to go out and play? ..lol.. damn the man. This sounds like a reason to buy/build a greenhouse..grrrr

My old man warned me about these. He said this is what you have to watch out for. Cool thread

Hank.

japanese beetles r no joke. do whatchu gotta do and keep in mind what hidden dragon said

When it comes to flowers Japanese Beetles are picky. I must have at least 50 different types of perennials
There only a few that they will eat, roses are the number one all time favorite for them.The also like my miniture weeping pussy willow trees and my Zebrina Malva. These are the only plants I have to spray, all the rest they don't eat and I have no problems. I wonder if they eat all types of vegtables? All you can do is check daily and see if you spot them..

They make traps that you hang in your garden for jap beatles. They use an odor to lure them into the bag where they die.

My grandfather uses these in his garden. The bag fills up with dead beatles in about 2 weeks. Japanese Beetle Trap

lol.. i think from what Im hearing the beetle traps are a no no. Thanks for the link though. If the beetles kick my ass this growing season than perhaps I will try the traps next season.