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Japanese Beetles: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Trees
The Japanese beetle is a highly destructive garden pest that targets a wide range of plants, including well-maintained trees and shrubs. The damage caused by this invasive insect can be frustrating, but with the right knowledge, you can protect your trees in Montclair from their devastating effects. Keep reading to protect your trees from diseases.
Identifying the Japanese Beetle and Its Lifecycle
- The Japanese beetle has a metallic blue-green body with copper-colored wing covers, giving it an initially appealing appearance. Measuring between 1/3″ and 1/2″ long and 1/4″ wide, this oval-shaped insect is easy to recognize by the tuft of white hair along its sides. These beetles are most active on warm, sunny days, emerging in early summer to feast on your plants.
Their active season spans from late June through early fall. While their lifecycle lasts only about 40 days, they cause extensive damage by feeding in groups. Female Japanese beetles lay up to 60 eggs in the soil. When these eggs hatch, the larvae, or white grubs, consume the roots of grass and plants.
Spotting Japanese Beetles and Their Grubs
- Japanese beetles make their presence known through their feeding patterns. They devour the soft tissue between leaf veins, leaving behind skeletonized, lace-like foliage. Flower petals become ragged, and trees suffering from beetle damage often appear scorched.
These beetles are most active on warm, sunny days. They feed in groups and can easily fly throughout your landscape. They tend to start feeding from the tops of plants and work their way down.
Preventing Japanese Beetles from Damaging Your Trees
- Protecting trees and plants from Japanese beetles involves various strategies, and often, combining methods is the most effective approach.
Use Milky Spore
- Both adult beetles and their larvae (grubs) can cause significant damage. To target the grubs early in the season, use a product containing milky spore, a bacterium that disrupts the grub lifecycle. Although this treatment may take a few years to fully show results, it can significantly reduce the grub population.
Apply Soap And Water Solution
- Another simple approach is applying a dish soap and water solution to your lawn weekly. This forces the grubs to surface, where birds will feed on them until they’re gone.
Natural Deterrents
- Consider botanical products like neem oil, which is derived from a tree and repels beetles when applied at the first signs of an attack. Additionally, parasitic nematodes, available at most garden centers, can be placed in the soil to feed on the beetles and their larvae.
Despite common belief, Japanese beetle traps may not be the best solution. Studies suggest that these traps can attract more beetles into your yard than they catch, potentially worsening the infestation. Instead, focus on preventative methods to keep these pests at bay.
Choose American Tree Experts for Pest Management in Montclair
- To effectively combat Japanese beetle infestations and protect your trees and plants, it’s crucial to take a proactive approach with professional pest management services. American Tree Experts offers expert pest control solutions that can help manage Japanese beetles and other harmful pests, ensuring the health and longevity of your landscape.
Our comprehensive pest management strategies focus on eradicating existing infestations and also include preventative measures to protect your yard year-round. With American Tree’s specialized services, you can protect your trees and plants from the devastating impact of Japanese beetles and other invasive pests.
If you fear that your trees and plants are suffering from plant diseases, then waste no time and contact American Tree Experts. We provide effective and proactive Pest Management for plants and trees. Call us at (973) 744-6091 to get a free estimate of our services. We operate in Mont Clair, New Jersey, and nearby areas.