How to get rid of Japanese beetles
The Japanese beetle is a species of scarab beetles. The typical length of the adult is 15 mm in length and 10mm in width. It has iridescent copper-colored elytra and green thorax and head. It is not very destructive in Japan because natural predators control it, but in places like North America, it is a noted pest of more than 300 species of plant.
Ova are laid individually, or in small layers near the soil surface. Within approximately two weeks, the ova hatch, the larvae feeding on the root and other organic matter. The larvae hibernate in small cells in the soil emerging in the spring when soil temperature rise again. The life cycle of the Japanese beetle is about one year in some parts of the world. And as high as two years in some regions. An average female lays about 40- 60 ova in her lifetime.
During the larval stage, the Japanese beetle lives in lawns and other grasslands, where it eats the roots of grasses. During this stage, it is likely to contact a fatal disease called milky spore disease, caused by a bacterium called milky spore, Paenibacillus (formerly Bacillus) popilliae. Within about 4-6 weeks of breaking its hibernation, the larvae will pupate.
A long part of the beetle’s life is spent as a larva, with only 30–45 days spent as an imago. The adults feed on leaf material above ground, using pheromones to attract other beetles and overwhelm plants, skeletonizing leaves from the top of the plant downward. An adult female may lay as many as 40–60 ova in her lifetime.
CONTROLS
Natural repellents
This includes catnip, chives, garlic, and tansy, as well as the remains of dead beetles, but these methods have limited effectiveness. Additionally, when present in small numbers, the beetles may be manually controlled using a soap-water spray mixture, shaking a plant in the morning hours and disposing of the fallen beetles, or simply picking each of them off attractions such as rose flowers, since the presence of beetles attracts more beetles to that plant. Peppermint is also known to be a natural pest repellant. The scent of peppermint is enough to stop the pest from infesting your garden. Based on the fact that peppermint is a hybrid plant, it is sterile in other words, it doesn’t produce seeds. So you should not have any fear that it will become a weed. Peppermint grows best with a good supply of water.
Permethrin dust
This chemical gives an immediate result. And it is also a natural insecticide that is effective for a longer period of time.
Chemicals
Basically, any insecticide can do the job. But since the infestation is outside your house, then a liquid insecticide will be more effective.
NOTE:
These chemicals are poisonous. So always use caution to apply. Remember to wash your hands after any application. If you don’t want to get involved, you can hire a pest control company near NC to help you get rid of Japanese beetles and other pests destroying your plants.
