Hardy Hibiscus seedlings sick

I couldn't even tell you what they look like to say if we have them in Nor Cal or not but something was eating my hibiscus last year and I'd like to prevent that from happening this year if I can. Since I just started gardening, I can tell you that there are a lot of creepy crawlers outside but what they are...that is a different story. :-).

Now I need to find out what the heck milky spore is just in case... :-)

I definitely know what they look like--I have not so fond memories of taking care of the Japanese beetle traps when I was a kid growing up in Ohio, and I have not seen a single one of them anywhere here in 7 years. Doesn't mean they're not here, but they're definitely not all over the place like they are in other parts of the country. Milky spore is a beneficial microorganism that will eat the Jap. beetle grubs when they're living in the soil. I think there's a beneficial nematode that will take care of them too. Once they're adults there's not as much you can do besides picking them off as Windy described. They sell traps too, but from what I've read those can actually attract more to your yard so they're not really a good idea. Don't recall ever seeing traps sold at nurseries here, so that's another sign that they're probably not a huge problem here.

As far as your hibiscus though, it might be grasshoppers eating them, that's who's usually to blame when mine are getting eaten.

grasshoppers eat hardy hibiscus? Ok, now how do I control grasshoppers? I'll bet milky spore doesn't bother them a whit. That would be too easy.

I don't know about hardies, I only grow tropicals. But I don't think they'd be that picky. No, milky spore won't take care of them. I've never had them badly enough to bother with doing anything about them, but if you google controlling grasshoppers I know there are some things out there that you can use, I just don't know what they are off the top of my head.

Try this link
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/47/
If it works it is a description and numerous pictures of the Japanese Beetle.
If you have them they will usually make themselves known as they are usually attracting a mate and in most cases MATES plural.
The traps have a pheromone attractant and like mentioned above, it attracts them in droves so there really is no sense in using it unless it is in a neighbors yard. And another downside, they come when the hot weather comes and a plastic bag trap full of dying insects smells much worse than a dead mouse in the house. LOL
I used them when they first appeared and before I knew it attracted more from adjoining yards. It was messy and stinky and I think a bit sadistic even if they are pests.
A way to identify them is that they sit with their rear little leg out sort of like a pinky as they feast.

Oh My Goodness. Graphic photos ("they eat everything but each other"), I'm gonna have nightmares tonight! :-)
By all means please keep them in your part of the country. We have enough creepy crawlers out here as it is.
I'll keep myself busy being vigilent about grasshoppers, snails, slugs and whatever else I have outside that I have yet to meet.
Thanks for sharing.