“We are getting reports from some gardeners that Japanese beetles are showing up now,” said John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County.
The Japanese beetle, which is native to Japan, is a highly destructive plant pest here. In Japan, natural predators keep the population in check.
Hand picking works well in small gardens but must be repeated frequently, Farfaglia said. Neem oil is also an option for control.
See more details in our previous article here.
Also see “Japanese Beetle Traps – Do They Work in the Garden?” from the blog Garden Myths by Robert Pavlis.
Hi Margaret, thanks for checking in from Sodus Point!
From Sodus Point, NY: Tons of them. Two and three atop each other. On: hollyhocks, raspberries, roses, Joe Pye Weed, Rose of Sharon, viburnum, snow ball bush. And most awful a couple on my new Japanese Maple. I harvest about 100 every evening with a pail of water mixed with blue dish detergent.
Bonnie, I never heard of that! Do you think the raccoons eat the Japanese beetles?
I have never seen so many as this year! They seem to be into everything! We used the traps in the past and the raccoons come and take the bags filled with the beetles!
Gail, yes, Japanese beetles are pretty widespread.
Yes, they’re in Cattaraugus County now, too. They love the blackberry, raspberry leaves. When the beetles really have a feast, the leaves wind up appearing like a veil. We use commercial beetle bags every year. The bait smells like citronella.
Nancy, that’s true. Read up on your other options.
We have had a dappled willow tree for 6 years–first time Japanese beetles have attacked it. Hard to hand pick from a tree!
There are many treatments for dealing with Japanese beetles. See more details here.
Hugh, thanks for letting us know. It sounds like you can keep up with them.
Trudi, I’m sorry to hear that!
There’s a product called Garden Scentry at NaturesLawn dot com that really works on these guys! All natural, too. Used it on my new plum tree last summer when they were eating it alive and it got rid of them.
We’re just getting the first of them now, eating our raspberries. Just small numbers, one a day.
I started noticing them about 2/3 weeks ago. Eating basil, holly hocks…plucked a few but they have me out numbered. North Tonawanda, NY.
Karen and Diane, I’m sorry you’re having such a problem with Japanese beetles. I hope you can manage them.
They’re eating every yellow flower!
The Japanese Beetles have attacked! They love my basil, petunias and holly hocks😡