We’re being attacked! Japanese Beetles are metallic green and bronze winged beetles; ½ ” long. They are very destructive and chew on plant leaves until they look like Swiss cheese. These beetles feed on hundreds of different plant species. You may see the Japanese beetle from June-Sept., but the next 3-4 weeks will probably be the worst of the damage seen. They only feed during the daytime and they love the hot, sunny weather.
Treatment: You can spray your lawn in the fall to control the juvenile grub stage but for right now, get on the defense and put out traps. At most garden centers, Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc, you can purchase Japanese Beetle Traps for ~$7/pc. The trap is a bag with Jap. Beetle pheromes (sex attractants) in it. Hang the trap outside and the insects fly toward the smell and get trapped in the bag. It’s a great invention! The downfall is that you will probably attract the neighbor’s beetles too but at least they aren’t eating the roses anymore. Replace the bag when it’s full or you can empty the full bag into a bucket of soapy water to make sure all the insects are dead. Re-hang the trap.
There is a lot of satisfaction in watching these destructive insects be fooled by these traps. Last year, I hung 3 different traps outside and had to empty them 3 times!
