Japanese Beetle Facts & Information

How does Orkin get rid of Japanese beetles?

From an extermination standpoint, it is important to recognize that both the adults and grubs can cause damage. Therefore a combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls should be used. Since Japanese beetles are capable of traveling from nearby areas or neighboring plants, control measures of the different life stages must be taken into consideration to eliminate the infestation. Control of the grub or larval stage requires properly timed applications of a soil insecticide to infested areas.

Cultural and physical controls would consist of habitat modification (planting plants that are less attractive to Japanese beetle adults) and physical removal of plants and/or adult beetles by shaking them off early in the morning when the insects are sluggish. The beetles may be killed by shaking them into a bucket of soapy water.

Mechanical controls are applied through the use of traps with pheromone lures; however, this will not correct any issues with grub infestations and can attract more beetles to the area.

Chemical control consists of using products labeled for use against adult Japanese beetles.

Your local Orkin Pro is trained to help manage Japanese beetles and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, an exterminator will design a unique beetle treatment program for your situation.

What do Japanese beetles look like?

Adult Japanese beetles can be easily identified by their coloring. The Japanese beetle has a metallic green body with copper-brown wing covers.

What do Japanese beetles eat?

The beetle feeds on a wide variety of plants and crops while the larvae or grubs, will feed on a variety of roots of ornamental trees, shrubs, garden plants and grass.

They are commonly known to cause a multitude of damage to a variety of plants including vegetable crops, flowering plants and ornamental shrubs such as rose bushes. They are attracted to the leaves produced by these types of plants.

The feeding habits of Japanese beetles are what make them such a nuisance. They are opportunistic feeders and have been documented to feed on over 300 types of plants and crops. They also like to feed in groups, which causes them to do damage to a wide area if the food source that attracts them is available.

Are Japanese beetles invasive?

The Japanese beetle is believed to have originated in the country of Japan and was first noticed in the eastern United States in the New Jersey area in the early 1900s. The beetles were most likely introduced in the United States through commerce, and they were able to thrive and survive due largely to the eastern U.S. being able to provide a favorable climate, large areas of grass for developing grubs, hundreds of species of plants on which adults could feed and no effective natural enemies.

Japanese Beetle Damage

Japanese beetles are particularly destructive pests, known for feeding on more than 300 plant species, including ornamental plants, trees, and various crops. Their feeding can cause significant economic and environmental damage, making them a real headache for gardeners and farmers. Their rapid reproduction and aggressive feeding habits only add to the challenge of managing these pests. Unfortunately, they often spread unintentionally when infested plants, soil, or sod are moved from one location to another, making it crucial to monitor and control their populations effectively.

Where do Japanese beetles live?

The beetles are most active on warm, sunny days, and prefer plants that are in direct sunlight. Adults feed on the leaves and flowers of the food source. This gives the leaf a “skeletonized” appearance. Adult Japanese beetles are very transient and can infest new areas from several miles away whether it is from wind shift or introduction or food source availability. Typically they stay close to the areas that have the most plentiful supply of plant species that fit their feeding habits so that they can breed and lay eggs.

When are Japanese beetles most active?

Adults appear from the ground and begin feeding on plants in the early summer. The peak of their activity lasts from late June through August or September when they will begin to die off due to temperature and climate. Japanese beetles live for up to two months during their adult life form.

Japanese Beetle Reproduction & Life Cycle

Adults dig their way out of the soil and mate in the summer. Eggs are laid by the female in short burrows they dig in the soil. She can lay between 40 to 60 eggs in her life. The larvae, called grubs, feed on roots in the soil and will pass the winter in a dormant state. In spring, they resume feeding and ultimately pupate into adults by the summer. Read more about the Japanese beetle life cycle.

More Japanese Beetle Facts

Japanese Beetle Traps

Japanese beetle traps are designed to effectively attract and capture these pests, helping to reduce their populations in your garden. However, they should be used alongside other pest management strategies, as traps alone may not solve the problem completely.

What Eats Japanese Beetles?

Several natural predators, including birds, insects, and other animals, help keep Japanese beetle populations in check.

Do Japanese Beetles Bite?

Japanese beetles do not bite humans, as their mandibles are designed for chewing plant material rather than breaking skin.