We know the holiday weekend is excitedly approaching and there are many exciting things ahead, but one important thing we wanted to remind everyone not to forget is to spray for Japanese Beetles. (Your landscape & trees will thank you)  Adults appear on the ground and then these pesky beetles will wreak havoc on certain trees, shrubs, and flowers with their peak season being late June through August or September when they begin to die off due to cooler temperatures.

You may easily pick them off plants and leaves paired with using Pyrethrin-based insecticides, or neem at the first sign of these beetles- can aide in deterring them and warding off their pesky plant killing behaviors.

Did you know that Japanese beetles begin as grub that live and grow under-ground until they reach their adult stage in which they emerge from their soil beds to mate and lay eggs?  These eggs are called grub and they feed on the roots of grass and other plants before emerging and continuing their feast above ground on trees, shrubs, and plants.  Combating their destruction is best done by understanding the stages and targeting them appropriately. 

To target the “Grub” or pests under-ground before maturity when they are newly hatched feeding at the surface, using a product such as Sevin Insect Killer Granules (according to the labeled instructions) with well watering can release the insecticide into the soil where they are feeding.  This prevention measure is best done in early spring before the beetle arrives.

For mature beetles- spraying with a Pyrethrin-based Insect Killer such as Sevin brand spray that can be found at Lowes, or some local hardware stores.   Follow the recommended usage instructions and directions based on your specific area, need, and uses.  Be sure to be aware and vigilant with the reapplication processes.  Trees and plants will need reapplication as these beetles live about 30-45 days, but they lay eggs often during their life cycle and will need to be resprayed a few times based on the current infestation in the area/ or the number of trees and plants that the beetles like to feast on.

     Be sure that if you are attempting to remedy these beetles with Sevin spray, please be sure that the height of the affected tree is safe and easily accessible as proper application is imperative to the spray’s effectiveness.  For larger trees or heights beyond what you can adequately reach, contact your local lawncare or pest control company to discuss spraying for Japanese Beetles.  Attempting to spray trees too tall or taller than you can reach is not safe and will not result in efficient spraying that will aide in your efforts to reduce and eliminate Japanese Beetles and their damage to your yard, trees, and landscaping.   Diligent and consistent awareness and action will reduce and/or eliminate the number of Japanese Beetles terrorizing your beloved trees, shrubs, and plants!  Good Luck!