0
points
Japanese Beetles

General    Michigan

Any suggestions on how to deal with Japanese Beetles? They love to eat my fruit trees. I use Seven's spray, but I would like to be more organic, and possibly deal with them at the root level as grubs. Any suggestions.

Carrie


Posted by: carrie thorburn (1 point) carrie thorburn
Posted: September 17, 2017


carrie thorburn commented,
This is awesome!!!!! Thank you so much
over 6 years ago.



Answers

0
points
Hi Carrie, What kind of fruit tree is it? Do you have lawn in and around the tree?
Yes, you can kill grubs at root level only if you have turf in and around (but most of the time adults might fly long distance to feed and lay eggs). According to University of Minnesota, the best time to apply insecticides for grubs is from mid-July until the end of September (later the grubs will move deeper as the top soil become cooler).

https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/...

To control adult insect
1. If the tree is small you can hand pick the beetles and put them in a soap solution (1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and water) to get rid of some population. Or place the drop cloth and shake the tree in early morning to collect beetles and place them in soap solution.

2. Also you can cover the tree with the net to prevent further attack (if the tree is small).

3. Organic insecticides like neem oil and sprays containing potassium bicarbonate found to be effective in controlling beetles in rose plants.

4. Spray home made soap and vegetable oil solution (mix 1 tablespoon of regular dish soap in 1 cup of vegetable oil, then add it to 1 quart of water. Later add 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and shake vigorously to emulsify, mix well and pour it into a spray bottle. It needs to be shaken often as you are using it. Spray at ten-day intervals on pests. The best time to spray is during early morning or late evening when the temperature is cool. Improper use of home made solution may cause leaf burn.

5. Use bait like fruit cocktail to attract and kill beetles. Buy the fruit cocktail can and ferment it in the sun for a week after opening it. Later put the fermented can on top of bricks or wood blocks in a light-colored bucket, and fill the bucket with water to just below the top of the can. Place the bucket about 25 feet from the tree. The beetles will attracted to sweet bait and get killed by drowning in water. Change the bait if it gets diluted by rainwater.


Posted by: Dr. Ravishankar Narayana (15 points) Dr. Ravishankar Narayana
Posted: September 18, 2017


GMS commented,
We've tried everything. Last year I'd go out before they became active, knocked them off the grape vines atop the pergola, sweep them up and throw them in soapy water. Then my husband suggested the vacuum. Much easier. I actually counted the first few days - 700-800 daily. This year we've purchased 120" wide white sheer fabric to cover the top of the pergola. Will be an interesting experiment. As a sidenote, a co-worker who lives in a gated community said the homeowners got together and purchased several traps. They hung on a light post away from all the landscaping. They'd take turns emptying daily. She said it helped significantly.
almost 4 years ago.



0
points
View my video on how to control Japanese beetles at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS-uA...


Posted by: Tony Buck (1 point) Tony Buck
Posted: October 11, 2017




You need to log in if you'd like to add an answer or comment.
Heart Heart icon