5 Myths About Japanese BEETLES
For every amateur and professional gardener out there, the emergence of Japanese beetles can be a stressful time of year. That’s especially true if it’s a bad year for Japanese beetles.
And what makes a bad year for Japanese beetles?
Scientists don’t really know. Some years can have very few Japanese beetles, and others can bring plague-like populations to your neighborhood. You might believe that homemade solutions, traps, or even pesticides can completely eradicate these pests, but the truth is more complex. Understanding these myths is crucial for effective beetle management.
Let’s dive into five myths about Japanese beetles!
Myth #1 - Homemade Soap and Water Solutions Are Effective
While it’s true that soapy water can drown beetles if they are physically knocked into the solution, it may be a long battle that doesn’t produce lasting results. Soapy water solutions may help reduce beetle numbers temporarily, but they don’t address the root of the infestation or prevent new beetles from arriving.
Myth #2 - Traps Are the Best Way to Control Beetles
You’ve probably seen Japanese beetle traps in any garden or hardware store. The pheromone lures they include with the traps effectively attract Japanese beetles. However, the traps themselves aren’t capturing every beetle.
When you attract a lot of beetles at one time, all from the surrounding area, they can spill over from the trap and land on your favorite shrubs, trees, or plants. The traps can create hotspots of beetle activity, making them counterproductive.
Placing the traps in strategic areas of your property, away from your garden, can help. Enlisting neighbors to do the same can also be effective. However, the traps often do more harm than good.
Myth #3 -Beetles Can Be Completely Eradicated with Pesticides
The biggest problem with Japanese beetles is that they are strong flyers and will travel quite a distance to find the best feeding grounds. So, while pesticides may be useful in the short term, they won’t be a long-term fix.
Additionally, broad-spectrum insecticides will kill Japanese beetles and any beneficial insects and pollinators visiting your plants.
Moreover, pesticides often only address the adult beetles and do not affect larvae in the soil, allowing the next generation of beetles to emerge and continue the cycle of infestation.
Myth #4 - All Biological Control Agents Are Ineffective
Many products on the market promise to get rid of Japanese beetles, and some biological control products have gotten a bad name. However, contrary to popular belief, many of these biological control products can work if used properly.
Milky spore is a soil bacterial product that can be applied on lawns and gardens. The spores will kill any grubs that are developing in the ground. However, the milky spores may take a few years to establish and suppress the grub population.
Entomopathogenic nematodes are a similar product that can help reduce the Japanese beetle population. The nematodes infect the white grubs and parasitize them. Remember that these soil options will treat your lawn, not surrounding areas. It may take some convincing if you want your neighbor’s help controlling Japanese beetles.
Myth #5 - Planting Resistant Plants Will Eliminate Beetle Problems
A common belief is that planting resistant plant species will completely eliminate Japanese beetle problems. This myth suggests that by choosing plants that are less attractive to beetles, gardeners can avoid infestations altogether.
While planting resistant species can reduce the damage caused by Japanese beetles, it does not eliminate the problem. Japanese beetles have a wide host range and can infest and damage many different plants. Even if resistant plants are used, beetles may still attack other susceptible plants nearby.
Solutions
So, what can you do to combat Japanese beetles?
Here are a few suggestions:
· Hand Pick Beetles: Regularly removing beetles and their damaged parts can disrupt their aggregation and reduce overall damage to plants. Japanese beetles are attracted to plants that already have beetles on them.
· Chemical Insecticides: If you really want to stop Japanese beetles from destroying your plants, then pesticides like imidacloprid, bifenthrin, and halofenozide are highly effective in controlling larvae and adults. Just remember to always read the label!
· Kaolin Clay: Kaolin clay is an effective, non-toxic alternative for managing Japanese beetle damage. It forms a protective barrier on plants, reducing feeding damage.
· Exclusion: Cover your favorite plants with a row cover to prevent Japanese beetles from reaching the leaves.
Conclusion
Understanding and debunking Japanese beetle myths can lead to more effective and sustainable control methods. Combining accurate knowledge with integrated pest management strategies is essential for controlling this invasive pest.
