Need to rid yard of japaneese Beetles

Hello,

I have a geat backyard full sun,great view,but every summer I dread going outside.I have huge Japanese beeltes in one part of the yard what should I do? I am desperate. Our family reunion is going to be here in San Jose and I don't want to scare offf the relatives.Any suggestion are appreciated.I mentioned buying praying mantis on another forum but I was told that doesn't help with the grubs. What do I do? HELP!!!
Thank you
Angela

I haven't seen any Japanese beetles since I moved out here, but when I lived in Ohio they were a big problem and lots of people had Japanese beetle traps. I don't know too much about them since I didn't have much of a garden when I was there, but lots of people used them. It still won't help with the grubs, but it could help at least keep the adults out of sight for the reunion.

Thank you e crane,
I appreciate it!
Angela

Hi Angela, I heard that the traps create more of a problem than they cure. There is something that you can get that you spray onto the lawns and garden beds and it gets rid of them and now during my brain burp cannot remember what it is... it's not a chemical... will look thru my notes and get back to ya... Or I could loan you my cockapoo, Gladys, she smells the grubs and digs it out gently and proceeds to eat them... yucko but it works...Lauri

Angela,
It's a bit late in the season but you may want to check out Milky Spore as a control -
http://www.yardlover.com/milkyspore.html
I was recently digging about and found grubs, so I applied it around my garden.
I hope it's warm enough that they will feed on it anyway. Regardless it stays in the ground and will continue to improve the condition each season.

Good Luck
Dove

hiya angela,

Dovey's suggestion of Milky Spore Disease is a great biological control of Japanese beetles. You'll need to check, but last I saw it was a restricted material in California and may require a permit to obtain or use. I'm not sure, but it should be researched.

One of the most voracious biological control methods for the larvae of Japanese Beetles (grubs) are Beneficial parasitic nematodes. There are two common species of this microscopic parasitic critter that are often used for problems with grubs, fleas, and other pests that colonize lawns. Heterohabtis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapse. Here's a link to an insectary in Ventura county that ships fresh critters with complete application instructions. One important aspect to ensuring an application of beneficial parasitic nematode is effective is making sure the garden/lawn remains well watered before and after the application of the beneficial organisms as they travel/migrate in the soil water.

here's a link to Rincon Vitova Insectaries. One of the most reputable companies of it's kind in the country owned and operated by entomologists.

best of luck to you,
don

http://www.rinconvitova.com/nematode.htm#Heterorhabditis%20bacteriophora

Don,
This time I bookmarked the site - thanks.
Is it true the best time to apply the nematodes is summer after the 1st Japanese beetle appears?

Dove

BTW
I ordered Milky Spore online & they delivered. If there is a restriction no one payed it no never mind.
It was a little creepy applying it, I waited for a wind free time of day and wore a mask. The whole idea of having milky spores setting up shop in my lungs was slightly Stephen Kingish.
It doesn't sound as if you would have the same problem with nematodes... true?

Dr Don
and Dovey,
Thanks again. I just got the milky spore in the mail. I bought it on Amazon and it came pretyy quick.They do ship it to California .

Angela

cool - we'll have to compare effectiveness notes come spring time.
I know I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will see a whole lot less of the pesky critters this year.

Dove

hiya dovey,

The very best time to turn them loose in the lawn is when soil temps have reached the sixties. Normally you'll see the first emergence of the beetles around that time as well so the answer would be yes indeedie.

That's great that you guys were able to obtain milky spore (Bacillus popillae), I was under the impression that it was a restricted material here. That's normally what they do, restrict the non polluting materials so a gardener is forced to spend way too much on really nasty chemicals...lol, go figure. Lobbyist Logic is the term I like best.

best to you and good luck,
don

I have been using Grub-ex [ sp - something like that ] They sell it at OSH .
The bettles eat slugs and snails but the grubs eat the roots of everything .
I tried milky spore and BT's but any kind of posion kills them . I fight white flies , aphids , scale , wooly aphids , grubs , ants , spiders , apple maggots , peach leaf curl and anything else that clings to birds feet . No problem with fleas so far ,