Japanese beetles

Question

I’ve been catching the beetles and throwing them into soapy water. Last year, I threw them into a jar of alcohol. the soapy water is working just as well.

My question is, what is the best way to dispose of the soapy water with beetles in it? If smashing the beetles attracts more beetles, will killing them in this way also attract more beetles if I just dump it out on the ground?

Answer 1

Japanese beetles release a pheromone that attracts other Japanese beetles. This makes reducing numbers quickly a vital part of control. Sometimes what one reads is that Japanese beetles are attracted to Japanese beetles but it this released hormone that counts. Dead beetles are not an attractant. Nevertheless, one can pour the soapy water down the toilet. The storm sewer is not a good option unless you are certain that it goes to the water treatment plant. Many times it goes straight into the nearest waterway where soap is a contaminant.