The day has come and Japanese Beetles have emerged from their underground hibernation, resurfacing right here in Cedar Rapids. These garden pests can cause immense unsightly damage to your plants and even ruin your garden harvest.
Keep a close eye on your Roses, Grape Vines, Raspberries, Crabapples and Japanese Maples as these are especially enticing to these hungry little bugs. If you notice your leaves look skeletonized or lacey, that is evidence that you’ve had a swarm of visitors.
In Iowa, Japanese Beetles typically emerge from the soil between June and July, sticking around to feast through the end of summer. The adults creep out of the ground each morning to feed on your garden, and while above the surface, they lay eggs which hatch into grubs, immediately begining to consume the roots of turf grasses and other plants.
Before the first frost of fall, the adult beetles die off and the grubs bury deeper into the soil to hibernate until spring. Come April or May, the grubs start feeding on roots once again until early June when they grow into adults and emerge with hungry intent.
As the adult beetles feed, they emit a chemical hormone that sends a signal to other beetles that a food source has been found. This signal brings in countless more beetles that will strip your leaves and plants. Because of this, handpicking is the most effective method of controlling these pests and minimizing the destruction. By plucking them and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water you not only stop them from eating but also from producing the attracting hormones. Japanese Beetles are typically most active during mid-day so the best time to handpick is in the morning or evening when they are a bit slower.
In addition to tedious hand picking, there are both chemical and organic methods to control Japanese Beetles. We carry a wide range of these products including:
Eight® Yard and Garden Spray - provides contact killing and residual insect control for up to 4 weeks. Eight® kills over 100 insects that destroy lawns, roses, flowers, trees, vegetables, and fruits. It may be applied to homes, foundations and other areas to stop infestations of ants, crickets, spiders, fleas, ticks, caterpillars, beetles, flies and more.
Bonide® Systemic Insect Control - is made for use on flowers, shrubs, trees and turf. A contact and systemic action protects the plants from a multitude of insect threats, both above and below the ground.
Bonide® Fruit Tree Spray Concentrate – protects fruit trees, flowers, evergreens and strawberries from fungal diseases and insects.
Fruit Tree & Plant Guard - is a water-based formula that can control and prevent insects and disease on fruit, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs & flowers.
Rose Shield® – is a great solution for insect and disease problems of roses, flowers, landscape plants, trees, shrubs and ground covers. Lasts up to 30 days and is absorbed by the plant and moves rapidly throughout, killing insects from within.
Rose Rx® Systemic Drench – is a six-week, systemic drench that controls black spot, powdery mildew, beetles, borers, aphids and more, while protecting new growth.
Neem Oil – is an all-purpose insecticide, miticide, fungicide for organic gardening. It kills all stages of insects and works on a wide variety of pests including Japanese beetles, aphids, mites, whiteflies, flea beetles and earwigs.
Captain Jack Deadbug Brew® (Spray & Dust) - kills bagworms, borers, beetles, caterpillars, gypsy moth, loopers, leaf miners, spider mites, thrips and more.
Japanese Beetle Killer Spray - is a Pyrethrin-based insecticide that is a safe and effective way to control pests on vegetables, grapes, raspberries, flowers, roses, trees and shrubs.
Bonide® Garden Dust - is a specially formulated, general purpose product for convenient use on vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Bonide® products that have a tan band on the front label are made from all natural ingredients. If you are interested in organic gardening, look for the 3-leaf logo and statement “For Organic Gardening” to assure they meet the USDA’s National Organic Program.
Give us a call or stop by if you are having problems with Japanese Beetles. Our expert staff would love to help you find a method or product to control these pests in your yard!