If your garden has become the home to hungry green beetles, it’s very possible that you’re dealing with a Japanese beetle infestation. Although quite difficult to identify at first due to their size, the damage they cause to crops and plants is revealing, as they wreak havoc and attack in groups.

Despite being just ½ inch in length, these small insects with metallic blue and green heads, copper-colored backs, and tan wings, are considered to be a pest to hundreds of species. While roses are their favorite food source, and this is where you’ll likely have spotted them feasting in your garden, they aren’t too fussy when it comes what flowers and plants they devour.

Double G Pest Control, Inc, are a specialist residential and commercial pest controller in Quincy Illinois. They provide pest control services, extermination, termite inspection and termite treatments to tackle the likes of beetles, ants, cockroaches, spiders and more.

Below, Double G Pest Control, Inc, outline their top tips for Japanese beetle pest control:

1. Protect your garden

Prevention is your biggest weapon when it comes to avoiding a Japanese beetle infestation. These creatures usually feed during mid to late May in Southern U.S. and mid to late June in the North, and this is when you should put your prevention tactics in place.

First, use a drop cloth as early in the morning as possible, as this is when the beetles will be most active. The cloth will help you to swoop up the insects so that you can shake them off into a bucket full of soapy water.

Second, use row covers. These act as a barrier and will not allow the insects to gain access to your flowers. However, be aware that row covers also keep pollinators at bay, and you’ll need to remove them if your crops need pollination.

Third, choose the right plants for your garden. Japanese beetles love to feed on roses, apples, raspberries, beans, birch, grape vines, Japanese and Norway maple, apricot cherry, plum and peach, and American linden. Try to avoid these if your infestation is particularly bad or spread them out within your crop to avoid large congregations of insects.

2. Eradicate or control the Japanese beetles

If you’re not comfortable getting hands on, the Japanese beetle might just win this battle. While the drop cloth tactic mentioned above can be particularly useful, to remove every last beetle will require some hand picking. Make sure you have a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and water, and place the beetles into the solution, which will cause them to drown.

Alternatively, you can use oils or insecticides. Neem oil and sprays contain potassium bicarbonate and can be effective, as the adult beetles will digest the chemical and pass it on to their eggs, causing the larvae to die before they grow. This method is particularly useful when your roses are taking the brunt of the damage.

Insecticides on the other hand require some research. Speak to a specialist to determine which approved option to use. Alternatively trial a homemade solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of vegetable oil, that is shaken well before adding to 1 quart of water. Now add 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and shake well before pouring into a spray bottle and using within 10-day intervals on pests. Always use sparsely and test first, as homemade solutions can damage plants.

3. Call in a pest control specialist

If the Japanese beetles are running riot, you aren’t comfortable hand picking them, or you simply want an experienced hand to inspect and deal with the issue, it may be time to call in a pest control specialist.

Double G Pest Control, Inc services residential and commercial customers in many counties across Illinois. They’ve dealt with all manners of Japanese beetle infestations and can not only help you to control them and provide extermination services but offer plenty of advice on avoiding these problematic creatures in the future.

Double G are the experts when it comes to dealing with ants, roaches, cockroaches, mosquitos pest control, termites, rodents, flies and more. If you have pest problems in Illinois, they are the team to call.

More information:

Double G Pest Control in Quincy Illinois  provides residential and commercial pest control services, exterminator, termite inspection, termite treatments, spraying for ants, cockroaches, spiders as well as rodent pest control to homeowners and commercial businesses located in and around West Central Illinois and North-eastern Missouri. Learn more via the website: https://doublegpestcontrol.com/

Source: https://thenewsfront.com/double-g-pest-control-inc-tips-for-eradicating-and-controlling-japanese-beetles-in-your-garden/