| I don’t believe you have much to worry about eliminating Japanese Beetles (JB) at time of the year, having done their damage are now over-wintering as grubs in the ground. To control and eradicate them its necessary to understand how JB exist, with timing playing a major role. The grubs spend approximately 10 months of its life as a partially grown grub in the soil. They are most vulnerable at this time and when they need to be eliminated, before they make their appearance above ground. Japanese Beetles generally make their appearance at about the same time each year, appearing in the Midwest about early-June lasting to early fall. Eating holes in the buds flowers and feed on tissue between the veins of leaves. What now seems to be the choice of many rosarians for this pest, is an early application of Bayer Advanced Lawn “Complete” Insect Killer for Soil and Turf, granules spread over the rose beds and surrounding area starting in mid May and again in August and thoroughly watered in. For only above ground control, use Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Insect Killer and/or Merit, 1/8 teaspoon per gallon, applied ever other week starting in June. Mature beetles pick them off and drown them in a container of soapy water. Crushing them is said to release a substance that attracts more Japanese beetles. The use of traps seems to attract more beetles than they actually trap. Spraying with Sevin, while killing Japanese beetles on a plant, will also eradicate many beneficial insects. Good Luck,
Ronald Schwerdt |
