These foreign invaders found mostly in the eastern United States are one of your garden’s worst enemies. They are known to infest and destroy over 300 species of ornamental plants. The Japanese beetle is probably the most devastating pest of urban landscape plants in the eastern United States. If you believe that Japanese beetles are the culprit of your plant devastation, you need an experienced exterminator on your side who knows how to deal with these pests. Ready Pest Control has extensive experience with handling and removing beetles from commercial and residential properties. Let us help you get rid of these pests for good! Contact our team today to learn more about our pest control and extermination options for Japanese beetle control methods and services.
Adult Japanese beetles can be up to 7/16-inch long. Their bodies are bright metallic green with copper-brown wing covers. A row of white tufts (spots) of hair project from under the wing covers on each side of the body.
Major Japanese beetle infestations occur from Maine heading south to North Carolina, and west as Minnesota, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. Japanese beetles are increasingly becoming a problem further westward, in places like Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregon.
Japanese beetles are dependent upon warm soil and abundant water. They favor large areas of turf and pasture grass for developing grubs, and ornamental plants on which adults can feed.
Japanese beetles emerge at temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit – but preferring much warmer temperatures of 85-95 degrees. They are most active on warm, sunny days between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Humidity of 60% or higher retards their flying and induces heavy feeding and destruction. They will not fly on cool, windy, cloudy or rainy days. Japanese beetles are responsive to light changes, seeking shelter when clouds pass over.
Infestation of adult Japanese beetles begins mid-June in southern states, and around July 4 in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. The Japanese beetle season lasts around 8 weeks.
The adult Japanese beetle infests and destroys over 300 species of plants including flowers, vegetables and fruits in addition to a wide variety of ornamental trees and shrubs. The larval stage of the Japanese beetle wipes out lawns, feeding on grass roots.
Japanese beetles prefer infected or damaged fruit and plants to healthy ones. They also prefer plants exposed to direct sunlight. They feed on the upper surface of the foliage of ornamental plants, consuming soft tissues between the veins and leaving a lace-like skeleton. Injured leaves eventually turn brown and die.
Japanese beetles begin eating low-growing plants before moving to fruit and shade trees. Later in the season, they return to attack the lower growing plants in bloom. Favorite plants include (in order of season growth) evening primrose, rhubarb, roses, grapes, sweet cherry, sassafras, apple, cherry, plum, elm, horse chestnut, poplar, willow, hollyhock, flowering shrubs, corn, asparagus, soybeans, clover, alfalfa, poison ivy, ragweed and other weeds.
Ready Pest Control is the call to make if you are looking for quality pest control solutions for your home or business. Bugs can be beautiful, but when they are outside. If you need help with Japanese beetle control in your home or place of work, we are dedicated to helping you remove these pests safely and efficiently. Contact Ready Pest Control today to send those bugs on their way.
