How can I get rid of these Japanese beetles?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question How can I get rid of these Japanese beetles?

Answer Japanese beetles immigrated to the US in 1916 via New Jersey. By 1937, they had spread as far south as Kentucky. Today, they are found in every state east of the Mississippi River. The Old North State, North Carolina, has been overrun by fire ants from the south and Japanese beetles from the north.

Both temperature and odor can be used in the battle to suppress beetle damage.

Heat and smell are the most important factors when Japanese beetles are deciding what and where to eat. Japanese beetles can feed on about 300 species of plants, ranging from grape vines to poison ivy. An individual Japanese beetle typically flies 1 to 2 miles, but can travel as far as 5 miles.

Japanese beetle traps use odor (lure) to draw beetles into the vicinity. If used, be sure to place these traps away from the damaged plants. While looking for the source of the smell, beetles will surely settle for a nearby rose bush.

Temperature has broad effects on the life cycle and behavior of virtually all insects. Japanese beetles have temperature ranges for every part of their life including feeding, mating and traveling. As the temperature rises during a typical summer day, the list of potential beetle activities also increases. For example, by mid-morning they are able to eat. By noon, they can move around really well. Shortly after lunch, the beetles are free to mate. Throughout the afternoon, all of these options are available to the beetles. As the sun drops in the evening, they start to lose options until they are only able to sit around and wait for the next day.

If a homeowner was planning to spray the beetles or collect them in a cup of soapy water, then the coolest time of the day would be best. Near sunset or sunrise is the best time to use the soapy water trick. A person using this control method will need to have enough daylight to be able to spot the beetles.

Spraying can be done at these same times or at night. A flashlight can be used to find the beetle-infested plants in the dark. The poor little beetles literally will not see you coming. Spraying at night is most effective. It is also the preferred time for homeowners that can’t look the beetle in the eye as they dowse him with liquid death.

Visit this website for more information about Japanese beetles http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/flowers/note44/note44.html

If you don’t have internet access, then call my office at 893-7533, write us at PO Box 1089, Lillington, NC 27546, or email me at gary_pierce@ncsu.

I wonder why we don’t call them Japanese American beetles. The beetles that hatched in this country should be simply thought of as American beetles. Some pests will never be accepted, no matter how long they have been here.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County