A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Japanese Beetles

This is the worst season I have ever seen for these beetles . They are everywhere and in everything . Any ideas out there <img border="0" alt="[perplexed]" title="" src="graemlins/confused.gif" /> ?

BFVISION,
IMHO,
I think those bags draw more than they are worth.
I swear the summer my neighbor put those out,
we had a ba~zillion of them...
She's now moved away, and each year, they decrease in numbers *with no bag)

I can't give you a chemical solution, as I don't
use them, I'm the squwish type or soap~n~water or clip them up with my snippers type....

Weezie

Well, I gotta say, I have never seen so many flipping beetles in my life! While I was out mowing my *jungle* (the back yard), I noticed them. On all the tall weeds (which was pretty much the entire yard). They were *mating*. There were *several* The critters have been feasting on the leaves of my baby peach tree! Grrrr.

Meg

LOL at you guys! i have seen some but not too bad here----yet. and i smiled when i read you snipped em with your scissors! LOL there was one in my beautiful calla just eating away! i had the scissors in my hand from the garden and i just shoved them right down there and snipped him right in half! LOL yea- we are pretty pathetic huh? getting enjoyment out of killing litle bugs! LOL

Hi,
Liquid sevin will help control the beetles on your shrubs,but the problem is more widespread.You have to treat your lawn also.You can spray diazinon or acephate on your lawn,as japanese beetles live as white grubs in the soil before maturity.They hatch,live as grubs,then turn to beetles,which in turn lay eggs in your soil(small holes in the turf)
and the cycle continues.
Hopefully,you can get your neighbors to do the same or they'll simply fly over to your shrubs from their property.Also,try not to do any pruning while the beetles are active this time of year,as they love the tender shoots and leaves that will sprout after pruning.

This may sound really yucky ...