How to Control Japanese Beetle

Japanese beetle is a spreading invasive species in North America. They do tremendous damage to some of their favorite host plants, including roses. In this video, I'll discuss how to monitor, discourage and control them in your garden using biological controls.
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Photo credits:
Devouring plant leaf by C.Watts CC BY 2.0
Japanese Beetle Guelph by Ryan Hodnett CC BY-SA 4.0
Rose leaf damage by SB Johnny CC BY-SA 3.0
Grape Leaf damage by Steven Depolo CC BY 2.0
Pelargonium by David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0

[@missrose0077]

The 4th of July I was at my best friend's house where she is just learning to become a gardener. She told me to come look at her rose bushes which were "filled with ladybugs." My first thought was, oh no she must have aphids but when I looked they were covered with Japanese beetles! As I'm trying to Google what would be safe to use on them she grabbed her spray bottle of water and peppermint essential oil and sprayed the plants. Not only did they disappear but several hours later they were still gone. Just a thought.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Rose

[@2Ryled]

Great!

[@Bullfrog0302]

great

[@daniellehaggard7401]

Capful of Dr bronners peppermint in the evening.

[@Sara-gl8ue]

Thank you. I like this solution much better.

[@selfiopath1982]

Every time I do a research into my garden issues, I end up finding the answer and the solution to the problem on this channel. Jason, thank you so much for sharing your expertise for free ))

[@cedarwriter26]

This is great! This is more detailed in solutions than I've seen in rose books. I have a container garden of roses, geraniums, hydrangeas and more, so when they find me, they party.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Oh boy - I hope your damage hasn't been too severe!

[@cedarwriter26]

Not as bad as the rose sawfly maggots, surprisingly. Probably because of the short time frame and being slowed up by my plants being mostly up off the ground. But your video also brought up grass damage, and we have very spotty grass around here, which is something I hadn't thought of before.

[@yeomjiwon]

I saw damaged roses a few days ago. It is a good review. Thank you!

[@msmary126]

I enjoy your channel so very much. We are in Maine and I have a few small rose gardens. Your videos have helped me cultivate beautiful gardens!

[@philiparnold3948]

Thank you Jason. I will be ready this rose season. Very appreciated to get clear information.

[@peggyluna4670]

Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with us. You explain everything so well and I appreciate you very much.💚👍🐝

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for the encouragement Peggy

[@Junkinsally]

Thanks so much! Your videos are always so informative.

[@pikaboubou]

This was actually really helpful, thank you so much ❤

[@tarar6926]

Thank you so much. I think this explains both the brown patches in my lawn and the holes in my grape leaves! Thank you!

[@merseyman1]

Thank you. Will certainly give these items a try

[@donp1088]

What an amazing job you’ve done in explaining and describing this pest and things we need to know to fight the fight for our garden! Thank you, so much…👍❣️

[@Jennifer-qo4kz]

So glad I came across your video It’s gonna be so helpful because I’m starting to see a lot of them and they are wreaking havoc on my zinnias 🤨 Thank you 👍🏻

[@traceye.6428]

This info is so helpful, thank you kindly. I have been very disheartened, so good to know about these methods. Btw, I like the fact that you are wearing your frayed sleeve jacket. A true gardener in his working garb! 😁

[@karlarndt9348]

Thanks for your fine presentation. Very helpful.

[@mildredsteed7342]

Very informative video. Very knowledgeable about the Japanese beetle and it’s lifecycle. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Hello Jason; for sure so many of us are grateful for your extensive information. I keep all your videos not only because they are of great help should I have problems, but because they are all so interesting and I enjoyed them. As you know I just have a small garden which is more than plenty for me, and I adore my roses 🌹. Thank you 🌹🌺🌸

[@xtina4968]

Hi. From Minnesota. Yes Japanese beetles I have great amount of them in my back yard. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge

[@jeffmartin693]

VERY good info Thank YOU! I have them very bad here in the middle of neb.

[@annas.697]

Great information! Thank you so much. JB shred my raspberries and sunflowers. I wanted to plant a climbing rose over an arbor but know I reconsider.

[@jqbuy]

Thank you so much for the informative tips. Super helpful. Will start with the grub control method now. Really appreciate it!!🌹🌹🌹

[@jeangough8053]

Another useful video! Thank you Jason

[@evelynjepson5955]

we had a bit on trees...but thanks for the notes, I will be looking for it in the stores.

[@nicicorps9683]

Thank u sooo much for this. Last year we had a bad invasion and have been looking everywhere on the internet how to deal with the problem. Finally, after your video, Feel armed and ready to get 'em!!!!!

[@alysonmel3681]

I used milky spore on the lawn. Worked well abt 10 yrs. Yesterday saw them on my ferns. Will use your idea on my 'Oh So Easy' roses. Thanks!

[@kathleenm.talkie9202]

Thank you for the finite explanation of who the Japanese Beetle is and how they make their way onto our plants, and now armed with new information, we can redirect them. =)

[@bluesky7226]

As always, incredibly succinct and helpful! Thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching

[@jenjens916]

Thank you this was so informative because I see now the damage going on with my plants. My hibiscus plant is like a skeleton when I checked yesterday. I will be on it, now I know what's attacking my plants. Thank you again, first time finding this channel.

[@MsArdieT]

Jason is a wonderful teacher! This is the first time I've learned something about those troublesome beetles. I think they are more attracted to roses with more fragrance but red roses they seem to avoid - at least in my garden. I will try the Bonide spray this year.

[@tyhawl1]

Great info! Thank you!! I’m dealing with Ten Beetle 8b. Ugh!

[@dennistaft7868]

Once again, Jason you come though with the info we need. I get these but not in huge numbers. I would like to keep it that way so I'm going to follow your advice.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Dennis

[@BRWfilms]

I noticed them on my okra today in GA on 4th of July thanks for the info!!

[@janwhite6212]

WOW, that was so informative thank you so much!!

[@ElizabethM824]

Great information! Thanks for all the tips.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alliehartom5978]

I just found these on one of my plants outside and lo and behold your channel pops up in my recommendations. Thank you so much!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Best of luck with them Allie!

[@aloras405]

They are my biggest nemesis in my garden! They are so destructive. I’m so glad to find this video.

[@LaMarAzura]

Thanks!!! new viewer. Very much to the point of subjects!!! Many other garden youtubers talk too much unessential to the subjects. I click off less than a minute viewing them. Thanks for the all educational points you put out. and I love your garden background too. looks so pristine!!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - if I can keep people looking up at the mountains, they won't notice the weeds!

[@debkincaid2891]

Excellent information! Thanks

[@kathleenreynolds6492]

Thanks. As always your information is clear and scientifically based. I used to have only once blooming heirloom roses that finish before JB season, but decided that they weren’t going to win and have added others during the past few years. They also LOVE cuphea and a few others. You have provided new tools in my armament. Kathleen, 5b

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Kathleen

[@SusanSmith-de4lm]

Very helpful. I've been picking off Japanese Beatles off my Virginia Creeper (VC) every day when they come out for about 3 yrs. I put a few drops of dishwasher soap in water in a small jar. I get about 20-40 daily. I tried liquid hand soap too, no they just swam around in that. I have a rose bush touching my VC but they absolutely prefer the VC. They also seem to like the location, hot. I finally bought spray for Japanese Beetles, after reading instructions, it says not to use on VC, whah! I will try the turf granules, other you mentioned when they go back into the ground. The battle goes on!

[@Lilylanauze]

I’m so glad to have found this video. I have been battling Japanese beetles for two years on my roses. I now know what to do. 🙏🏽

[@portersworld31]

Great video! I surely needed this!

[@robinrummel1359]

Excellent info, TFS!

[@russellong4714]

Thank you Sir for the information !!! 👍🏻

[@blessedmommad7736]

Another excellent video Jason! We have thousands upon thousands of these beetles every year😢 they destroy our grapes/roses/plums/peaches every year!! We bought some pellets to distribute all over the ground to hopefully get a head up in the game.. I’ll also be purchasing this grub b gone💐

[@boomchicaboomboom]

Very good informative video👍

[@GardenStory]

The damage looks serious. Nice info!! Nice view!! 👍

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thank you!

[@cologuy39]

Thank you! Last year was the first year I've EVER seen the Japanese Beetle here in Colorado and they were nasty! I was regular with Neem oil but will also add to the arsenal the GrubGone!

[@jadeduan6991]

You are awesome!!! Without doubt, this is THE most comprehensive JB control guide. Very practical and timely, thanks a lot Jason😃

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure Amy - thanks for watching

[@trace9657]

agreed

[@hopeloomis7888]

I just noticed your video and I'd like to say thank you I didn't know how to take care of them but no I do

[@elliestell2696]

Thank you so much Jason that was very good

[@andreadaige7342]

Thanks for the information.

[@hikernj]

Excellent info!

[@montygates8767]

Great information. Thank you

[@thomaszaccone3960]

Thanks a million. Will follow your advice. Have beenbusing a systemic rose drench bout would prefer biological controls.

[@VikiBN]

They do a number on my yellow roses each and every year. Thank you for the advice.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Viki

[@suzanne48]

Thank you. Last year they ate my grape vine. First time I've had them. So I'm definitely getting what you recommend...

[@JKent-up3jm]

They ate my grape vines last year and did so within a day or so. Amazing how fast they stripped the leaves and then moved on to a small cherry tree. This year having a lot of luck with Bag a Bug trap but will also try the suggestions from this terrific video. Best of luck!!!

[@julesdavis1845]

Super helpful. Thank you.

[@patriciahogg5763]

Good tips! Thanks!!

[@MrSwarner793]

Great information, Thank you.

[@RIXRADvidz]

even mylocal garden centers couldn't give this good quality advice. Thanks !!

[@sf0101]

❤ this video is much appreciated 😊

[@dm4859]

Thanks for that. We know that all that beetle trap stuff we didn't work for us and finally quit that mess. Tulle netting does protect as they can't get through it, but you have to figure out how to get your plants covered with it. Of course knocking them into buckets of water is fun, but who wants to stand there all day. Last summer I finally found the Neem oil that someone here purchased but we lost and never used. It seemed to do the trick, but this year I am going to treat the grubs and use your tips from this video with the BTg. Can't wait to see if it works!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Sounds like quite a struggle in your area!

[@evec.1933]

Great video! Thank you.

[@csawgle]

Very informative thanks

[@jameslinzmeier368]

Thank you for this video. This is the FIRST year I have ever noticed these beetles, but they came in by the thousands and shredded my cherry tree, my roses, and my grapes. I learned early on to catch them and put them in water. (no video needed for me to figure this out) but how to reduce them without affexcting much else is VERY GOOD to know. Thanks again.

[@user-zw3gf1di3s]

Yes, it has been a tough season for JB (and other Scarab Beetle) infestations in NE, SE and MW. Denver Metro as well. fyi: Over years of use of beetleGONE! by Farmers/Growers (on crops ie berries, grapes, stone fruit, nuts, etc) they are finding that spraying at first sight of infestation reduces the population tremendously the rest of the season: not only is the product directly controlling the beetles but there is speculation that it may be disrupting the early beetles from depositing pheromones; thereby, lessening the attraction for more beetles to swarm in. As explained in the video, the primary use pattern of beetleGONE! is to protect your flowers, foliage, fruits & veggies from damage by adult beetles by spraying every 7-10 days during peak infestation of the beetles. It can be sprayed for highly effective organic control of adult beetles, weevils and borers without harming bees, butterflies nor ladybugs. It's certified for organic gardening and production. Simply mix in water and can be sprayed on edible garden plants, ornamental plants, trees or turf where JB (adults/grubs) feed. Product is also registered with a zero-day pre-havest interval; therefore, you can treat for beetles and harvest your food the same day. And there are no label restrictions for use around bees or flowering plants; therefore, beetleGONE! can be safely used while pollinators are active. This is the only non-chemical spray product on the market that performs at a high level like the leading chemicals (acelepryn, permethrin, imidacloprid, etc) but is safe for homeowners and pollinators alike. beetleGONE! tlc is a very versatile product: it can also be sprayed on your garden soil if you see grubs/grub damage or you can till/mix the dry product into garden or potting soil to control large and small grubs. It can also be used to control grubs in your lawn by mixing in water and spraying. Recommend spraying is at a rate of 3-4 ounces of product per Gallon per 1000 sf. Hope this helps!

[@careyjohnston4176]

Oh yes hi Jason . For anyone reading this I trust Jason imperacly for help . He is one of the smartest. Thank you

[@fernnewell6032]

Excellent information

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Fern

[@michaelfrazer1807]

Thank You for sharing.

[@paulinarodriguez7314]

The most informative video ever

[@marilyngoldman9407]

This year was the 1st time I experienced those beetles and they ate my Easter Lily down to the stem and I used some dish washing liquid mixed with water. This mixture did an excellent job.

[@irwu8860]

How much dish washing liquid did you mixed with water please?

[@marilyngoldman9407]

@@irwu8860 I'm not sure. I have a new spray bottle for hair and I just put a couple of squirts and filled 1/2 bottle with water. Try 2 tablespoons, use cold water to keep from sudding

[@abtsamroobe9633]

Great information thank you

[@yonokzeller5402]

Thank you so much for the info!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure Yonok.

[@seniyeshepherd3050]

Thanks for the info!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure Seniye

[@nicholasbradley2636]

Thank you for making this video. It is going to save our grapes.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

My pleasure

[@debrabolduc9928]

Great advice!! Got to get after those grubs. But if you're on the losing end of a battle with adults, hand picking is tedious. Put a little sand in the bottom of your shop vac, and give the plants a once over. Japanese beetles would attack my climbing hydrangea and pole beans. We'd vacuum twice a day, alternating between plants to let them settle back down. Would loose a few leaves, but very efficient collection method to limit damage and decimate the population.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for the input Debra. Always appreciated

[@tarar6926]

Danielle at Northlawn Flower Farm youtube channel vacuums them as well! I'm going to give it a shot this year.

[@elainestevenson1886]

Thank you for your knowledge

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for watching Elaine

[@bettysha3154]

Thank you so much for this information. I usually go into my garden around 6 am with a bowl of soap water and drown over 100 beetles. They love my roses and okra leaves.

[@61mhall]

Jason, you are my new hero!!!! Knowledgeable and great with organic solutions. As a MG in CT- if you don’t mind- I plan on sharing this with clients. Question- do you have a science based reference? I would like to cite that as well. Thank you so much for sharing. You are a gem!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Marie. Here's a s presentation from one of the suppliers of BTg: greenearthagandturf.com/btg-grubgone-beetlegone-cnla-presentation.pdf

[@61mhall]

Thanks so much Jason. Be well.

[@bobbie1320]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm i also live in ct. spent most of the morning speaking 2 nurseries on the hunt for beetle gone & grub gone & it was like i was speaking a different language. with the exception of 1 garden nursery in plantsville ct. they shared with me the exact name of the supplier you have mentioned. nice guys ! they are sending me a 1lb. bag of beetlegone, can't wait to receive it.

[@carmenbailey1560]

Personally I haven’t had a big issue with the Japanese beetles, hopefully it stays that way, but WOW the view behind you. Beautiful the mountains low clouds, all the very green landscape, beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing your information and specially your vista. 👍❤️😊

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Carmen. The cloudy mountains keep the yes up and away from the weeds

[@newportwellness367]

Great video! Does this work for chafer beetles as well? They love my dahlias. I am in Zone 6b. Thanks!

[@robinorcutt6822]

Great video Jason. Living in Vermont with sunny sandy soil, the battle will be starting soon with rose chafer. I see the BTG is supposed to be effective against them as well. After chafers come the J. Beetles so it’s usually a stressful summer as I do not use pesticides And in Vermont J.B. can linger almost til frost. I am cautiously optimistic about the BTG, I have ordered some (it is expensive) but so is vodka. LOL

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Robin. I think I'll use that line with my wife next time I'm buying an expensive plant

[@coolwater55]

👌😄

[@jennifergray6795]

This is first year that I’ve had a bad batch of these beetles. They only like my fragrant white roses. I followed old advice at first with the bait bags, I feel it just brought more to my yard! My husband layes down grub-ex, I then took down the bag, sprinkled dameous earth around roses. Next morning pulled off about 30-40 beetles by hand, then last evening, I followed your advice and deflowered all the white roses. I only found one beetle on my roses this morning! And found two others on my fern, but that’s it! We’ve learned our lesson, definitely treating yard for grubs and I will just debud my white shrub roses from June/July. They don’t seem to bother my red non-fragrant landscape roses.

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

Nothing much bothers Knockout landscape roses, the "plant and forget shrubs". But for Hybrid Tea roses you really have to spray every week to 10 days for fungus and insect pests. I use Bio- Advanced 3 in 1 spray.

[@brendah-c1740]

Thanks so much for this information. I now feel that I can tackle my Japanese beetle infestation with the proper controls.

[@debweissler7808]

Never had them until I planted a rose bush. Cut down the rose after collecting hundreds in a jug of soapy water. This year they have shown up in my lemon balm, albeit in much fewer numbers. Jug is ready!

[@mdjordjevic08]

Hello Jason, aphids is the other garden pests that I have with roses. How can I protect my young roses buds? This video was very helpful, thank you.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

They're a pain, but also have a lot of predators - so in a diverse garden, the populations can usually be managed without much intervention. If you do need to step in, I'd stay stick to the least toxic alternatives: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXLLl3Rmq9GDn80

[@pi1810]

Thank you so much.

[@carolelylewhite]

Thank you for the clear information! What are your thoughts on milky spore?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Carole. I've heard that it takes a fairly long season of warm soil for the milky spores to establish and become effective. The plus side is that once established, the protection seems to persist over many years.

[@gpvaneron1584]

thanks much for the video. they absolutely decimate my hazelnut and apricot trees this time of year. trap hundreds a day. i've always wonder what they have in japan to keep them in balance.

[@robinhazeslip1800]

So helpful! Thnk u!

[@msavina9129]

I spread the Grub granular stuff just a few days ago after I saw ONE appear. A nice soft rain came so i didn’t need to water it in. Well yesterday there were around ten on my rose. I did lots of transplanting, edging, digging n weeding and even a little tilling in Spring and would see approx one grub per sq ft, n killed them. I did not apply the granules there so Im expecting beetles. CAN I APPLY THE GRANULES TO THE GARDEN? 🤔 They also love crape myrtles btw, or at least mine. Thx a lot for telling us about the BTG, that gives me hope for battling adults. Also, I have issue with raccoons digging the lawn n garden, so Im hoping I can stop them too. Thx so much for sharing ur knowledge. Gardening sure isn’t easy.

[@marybethschuiteman484]

So informational, thank you. We have not seen the Japanese beetle yet here in Upper Peninsula of Michigan but I did have them in Indiana when we lived there. What we do have is rose chafers, will these measures help with irradiating those pests as well?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, the same nematodes and BTg are effective on chafers

[@janetpeters3060]

I’m pretty sure this is what attacked my mature laurel/viburnum hedge last year. It was such a sight and basically still is, except new leaves are coming through green and shiny. I will be on my toes this year - thanks for the tips.

[@dennistaft7868]

I had this problem last year. Search Viburnum Leaf Beetle. Good luck.

[@janetpeters3060]

@@dennistaft7868 I ended up having to have it sprayed at the beginning of June this year.

[@tiahlerose2268]

Thank you

[@jenniewilliamsmural]

Woweeeeeee! Jason, this is - of course - the best advice that I've gotten. Last year I was an unwilling slave to and one by one executioner of the dreaded iridescent beetle. I had just put up a question on a rose FB on this and got the usual replies- with one exception. A writer had vacuumed up the critters in one season and was not bothered again. I'll still probably put that into my armory - but- as usual - your mastery of the matter shines out like a beacon of righteous gardening. Your friend Jennie ( I realize that this is my other identity that I've used for my phone KZbin - but still the same Jennie)

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I'm definitely glad there's a new tool for the fight!

[@joeschiavi9615]

Thank you for this wonderful Info, you are a delightful recourse! I really battled those jerks last year and I’m determined this year- they won’t eat my roses! I saw the comment about milky spore and was planning to try that this year...have you tried milky spore yourself? I’m guessing the best time to put it down is now? Thanks so much! Lauren

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Joe. I haven't tried Milky Spore - I heard both positive and negative about it, and it takes a few years to establish in the soil.

[@maggiemanzke7926]

Thanks for this great info - those nasties are out on my roses!

[@careyjohnston4176]

I try to time the first trim on roses and other ornamentals so that there is not as much stress on plants and there is less for the beetles to eat . And I use Diatomaceous earth on them and it's fairly effective . Diatomaceous earth has many uses and it kills many bugs . Anyway my plants put on their foliage when beetles are leaving. The timing is crucial.

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

I think the Japanese beetles prefer my grapes vines even more than my roses. I have used BT on brassicas to kill the caterpillars but was not aware of BTg so thanks for the tip. I usually knock them into a bucket of water (without soap) then toss them into the pond to be eaten by the frogs. The frogs make short work of them.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Steve - I love that you're hand-feeding them to your frogs

[@winniegib31]

I finally had to destroy my beautiful grape arbors. Disgusting. I was hoping some miracle would make them disappear. Whatever you do, do not put out the traps. They will draw in beetles from miles around and the nightmare gets worse.

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

@@winniegib31 I have never used traps but I heard if you do use them, to put them far away from what you trying to protect.

[@cek7940]

Is bt for worms and caterpillars the same as btg?

[@dianeweems1987]

J

[@Goot253]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

You're so welcome Suze