Japanese Beetles

Question

Every summer we get a Japanese beetle infestation. Our totmato plants, cucumber plants, all vegetable plants, basil plants and all our roses and trees are eaten and destroyed. We have used a insecticide powder in the past that killed the beetles, but once the rain washed it off or the wind blew it off, the beetles returned. When we applied this powder, it was such a mess that my wife wouldn’t even touch the produce they produced. I have heard that a mixture of canola oil, garlic powder, dish soap and water sprayed once in the morning and once in the evening keeps these horrible insects away. Is that true? We are at wits end and soon we will not continue growing anything if we don’t come up with a solution.

Answer 1

There are a few things you can do. First of all, if you have one of those Japanese beetle traps, get rid of it. These actually attract beetles to your yard. If you know of an unused lots a bit away from your house, it may be best to place one there to draw them away from your property. Second, treat your lawn for grubs. The grubs often found in the lawn are the grubs of Japanese beetles and this will help reduce their population before it starts. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/lawn-grubs-how-to-get-rid-of-grub-worms.htm The mixture you asked about will help some as well. This article has some other suggestions: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/japanese-beetles.htm You may also want to plant things that Japanese beetles do not like. This article will help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/japanese-beetle-resistant-plants.htm