What are you guys using to control the Japanese beetles?

bbhaag

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2011
7,404
3,026
146
Just wanted to get insight because I know we have a lot members from different parts of the country here. I'm asking mostly about vegetable gardens but I'd be interested to know what flower gardeners are using too. So what is everyone using to combat the beetles.
Just for reference I'm located in central Illinois and I've been using a weekly rotation of Seven(carbaryl) and Fertilome Triple Action(neem oil and pyrethrin).
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
8,763
1,765
136
I use Sevin but mostly for stinkbugs, don't have many jap beetles around here but I remember them being quite bad years ago. What we used which was very effective were hanging traps on metal rods, bought from the hardware store. This is the modern day equivalent:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Spectracide-Bag-A-Bug-Japanese-Beetle-Trap-HG-56901-1/100012648

The traps had plastic fins at the top and a hanging bag with some scent bait inside that attracts them. The bags get quite full and they stink in a stew when it gets hot out, but you know it's working because there's a lot of them there. Try to put them downwind if that will accomplish the goal. They don't go IN the garden, they go away from it a fair distance, close enough to attract them but not bring them all in towards the garden.
 
Last edited: