Garden pest control tips for Japanese Beetle. The #1 lawn pest, Japanese beetles feed on 300 plant species. Discover organic pest control for Japanese Beetle.

Native to Japan, Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica) are rampant in all states east of the Mississippi. Americans spend about $460 million annually in garden pest control and management for the Japanese beetle. These are the best lawn and garden pest control methods, other than chemical pesticide/insecticide.

Natural Japanese Beetle Pest Control

Hand Picking

When the first "scout" adults arrive, immediately pick them off and drop them into a container of soapy water.

Plant Non Attractive Plants

"The adults do not like to feed on ageratum, arborvitae, ash, baby's breath, garden balsam, begonia, bleeding heart, boxwood, buttercups, caladium, carnations, Chinese lantern plant, cockscomb, columbine, coralbells, coralberry, coreopsis, cornflower, daisies, dogwood (flowering), dusty-miller, euonymus, false cypresses, firs, forget-me-not, forsythia, foxglove, hemlock, hollies, hydrangeas, junipers, kale (ornamental), lilacs, lilies, magnolias, maple (red or silver only), mulberry, nasturtium, oaks (red and white only), pines, poppies, snapdragon, snowberry, speedwell, sweet pea, sweet-William, tuliptree, violets and pansy, or yews (taxus)." (per Ohio University)

Garden Pest Control Tips

1. Diseased trees and plants attract adult beetles, then they stay to feed on healthy plants too. Keep plants healthy.

2. Get rid of prematurely ripening or diseased fruit. The odor attracts Japanese beetles.

3. Natural repellents include catnip, chives, garlic, and tansy, and the remains of dead beetles.

Biological Pest Control

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bt is a naturally occuring bacterium. Apply it to the soil as you would insecticide. (Call your county extension agent to see if it's available in your area.)

Milky Spore

Milky spore is a bacterium used as an organic control for grubs. Japanese beetles deposit babies into your lawn. You spread the milky spore (bacillus popillae). Grubs ingest it. Spores germinate inside the grub and multiply. The grub dies, and more spores go into your soil. This method works over time. July and early August is the best time for grub control methods since they come to the surface to feed on roots.

Parasites

"Tiphia vernalis, a parasite of the Japanese beetle grub, and Istocheta aldrichi, a parasite of the adult, have been shown to be important in regulating the population dynamics of the beetle in the Northeastern United States."¹

Mechanical Traps

Traps attract and capture ~75% of Japanese Beetles. Position them far away from your garden! Replace yearly. Time trap placement for beetles emerging in your area, usually between June and August. Not recommended unless used in community-wide effort since pheromone traps may attract more beetles than they catch.

Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are parasites that kill the immature stages of soil-dwelling insects, including grubs. Nematodes kill over 200 species of insect pests. They won't harm earthworms or lady bugs.

Resources

¹USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Homeowners Handbook

Online source, Milky Spore

Online source, Milky Spore

Buglogical Control Systems, Natural Insect Predators