Of most concern is the Japanese beetle, a voracious feeder on the foliage of many ornamental and garden plants that often warrants treatment as an adult. The best time to treat Japanese beetle white grubs is July through mid-September when they are small or moderate-sized. Grubs are found lying on their sides in the form of a "c" when exposed. Several other white grub species including Asiatic garden beetle, European chafer, green June beetle, May and June beetles, and Oriental beetle are occasionally observed in home lawns and may cause significant damage. The size of the grub depends on the species of beetle it grows into and the age of the grub. Stage 4 Adult: June – August. That’s why it’s so important to let BEST’s professionals take care of Japanese beetle treatment for you. BioAdvanced 24 - Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules, BioAdvanced Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Concentrate, BioAdvanced All - In - One Rose and Flower Care, BioAdvanced Dual Action Rose and Flower Insect Killer, 1 Point for Every $1 Spent - that's 1% back. Begin treatment as soon as beetles appear, before damage is done. Once applied, milky spore powder will work it way into the soil where it will be ingested by the Japanese beetle grubs. Japanese beetle grub populations on their golf courses. Starting in June try Bayer Advanced Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer. May 16, 2017 - Author: David Smitley. Knowing how to detect grub worms is key to treating them. Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: Farm Fresh Atlas of Southeastern Wisconsin, Kenosha Community Food Bank and Pantry Network, Economic Development: Small Businesses and Workforce, Analysis of Downtown Storefront Improvements Study, Kenosha County Association for Home and Community Education, WI Master Gardener Program and Racine/Kenosha Master Gardener Association, https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist, Apprenticeships As A Post-High School Option, © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, Although Japanese beetle feeding damage may be noticeable on landscape plants, well-established trees and shrubs generally tolerate damage without impacting bud emergence the following season. Eggs are laid in July, hatch in mid-August, and the grubs immediately start feeding on grass roots. If you haven’t made such a preemptive strike and the beetles are feeding, products that kill on contact and provide systemic protection are most effective. The granules must be applied multiple times over two years using a spreader. Since then, it has gradually spread westward and has been reported in every state east of the Mississippi River. … These animals all love to dine on large, mature grubs. This is why it is important to identify the grub before deciding to treat. The adult beetle continues to feed, mate and lay eggs in the soil and turf until up to 60 eggs are laid. They also have small white hairs lining each side of the abdomen. The best way to control adult beetles is to make a preemptive strike, in the spring, well in advance of the adults emerging. Some move as much as 12 inches below the surface. Managing Japanese Beetle Adults & Grubs While Minimizing Impacts on Pollinators. Don't squish the beetle to kill it. You’ll start to see turf dieback in late August/September. Grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles, June beetles, chafers, and others. This may help in preventing the adult beetles from laying their eggs in dry turf areas. It can be found in the product beetleGONE!, which is approved for organic production. For Japanese Beetle grub control, apply in late July or early August, when the grubs are beginning to emerge to help eliminate next years’ population. Japanese beetle grubs tend to be most common in new developments with bluegrass sod. Milky spore comes in two formulations, granules and powder. Since then, the Japanese Beetle has been a severe and devastating pest across the US and later Canada. Milky spore is a common grub treatment, but it will only affect Japanese beetle white grubs. A common active ingredient is Dylox. Whatever the reason, if your lawn is showing signs of being under attack from grubs in early fall then a curative treatment will help manage your grub problems. The larval stage is a C-shaped white grub similar in appearance to the June beetle, rose chafer and European chafer. So fight the urge to wait and get these products down 60-90 days before Japanese Beetles lay their eggs. Two treatments between June and August are generally best to solve this problem. Acelepryn (Chlorantraniliprole) is a reduced risk insecticide product and is effective in controlling adult beetles on ornamental plants as a foliar application. The Japanese beetle adult females lay their eggs in grassy areas all over the county and not exclusively in your lawn. Milky Spore is a disease that only affects Japanese Beetle grubs. It won’t hurt earthworms or even a bird that eats a grub that has the disease. These white, C-shaped grubs feast on organic matter in the soil, including grass roots. After this spring feeding period during the third summer of its life cycle, the grub pupates and turns into an adult Japanese beetle. Established in Wisconsin in the 1990s, the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a voracious defoliator of many landscape and garden plants. Japanese beetles usually emerge in the beginning of July and can be found through September. 3). Organic insecticide containing azadirachtin or pyrethrins can be sprayed on vegetables and berry crops in late evening once pollinator activity subsides. Japanese beetle larvae are a type of white grub that feeds on the roots of grasses. There are several easy-to-spot signs that you may have grubs in your lawn: Raccoons, skunks, armadillos, or birds are digging up your yard. Adult Japanese beetles emerge from the soil and begin feeding on many types of plants and ornamentals, leaving skeletonized leaves. Adult beetles are active during the daytime and can fly an average of 1 to 2 miles. We live in a fast-paced society where high stimulation is more and more a way of life. For rose growers, see our Growing Guide for Roses for more tips on caring for roses! If your lawn has brown or dead areas during the normal growing season, survey near the edge of the damage. Because of this, various size grubs are commonly found in the soil. Established in Wisconsin in 1990’s, the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a voracious defoliator of many landscape and garden plants. For large trees with defoliation concerns, it is advisable to consult a certified arborist about management options. They feature metallic blue-green heads, copper backs, and tan wings. of your white-grub problem and whether treatment is necessary. Timing will vary by geographic location. So to know if you are treating just the Japanese Beetle larvae, you have to really know the life cycle. Once grubs are present, late July to September, they can still be treated but management is less effective. Treatment thresholds and identification tips are discussed below in the description of each major type of grub. Granular residuals containing insecticides distributed on soil with a spreader are usually the best applications for Japanese beetles. How to Treat Japanese Beetles & Grubs: Stage 1 Dormant Grub: October – March. How to Prevent Japanese Beetles. Grubs burrow deep into the soil and rest through the winter. Japanese beetle traps contain a pheromone that attracts both male and female beetles. Remember that not every garden with a Japanese beetle problem has a lawn full of grubs. Some target pests that have been controlled (to varying extents) by H. bacteriophora in field tests are white grubs, Japanese beetle, grubs, northern masked chafer, black vine weevil, strawberry root weevil, citrus root weevil, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetles, red imported fire ant, several other soil-inhabiting insects, and filth fly maggots in manure. Grubs burrow deep into the soil and rest through the winter. Grubs lay their eggs in soil under turf, where there’s an ample supply of organic matter in the soil to eat, including grass roots. Some move as much as 12 inches below the surface. The Japanese beetle white grub treatment threshold is typically 8-10 grubs per square foot. Rather than have to crop this powder over your lawn, worrying about timing and frequency, you can leave it to us. As you can see in the handy chart below, a grub’s life cycle begins in the summer, when adult Japanese beetles lay eggs underneath the soil. The best products to prevent and control grubs in your lawn contain the active ingredients Imidacloprid ( Merit, Jonathan Green ), Chlorantraniliprole ( GrubEx) or Thiamethoxam ( Meridian ). Adult Japanese Beetles on a rose. Japanese Beetles are easy to identify, thanks to their unique colors. Stage 5 Egg: July – September. We’re the number one Japanese Beetle controller and grub control company for Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties. Originally published in the Kenosha News. To minimize the stress of defoliation on sensitive tree species, boost plant health during the growing season with water, nutrients and other proper tree care practices. Following are some best management options to control Japanese beetle adults and grub that can minimize impacts on pollinators: ... Mow any flowering weeds before scheduling liquid applications of preventive or curative grub treatment products in turf areas. Connect with your County Extension Office », Find an Extension employee in our staff directory », Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state, Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Discrimination and Harassment Complaints | Disability Accommodation Requests | Civil Rights. Japanese beetle: Tips for your lawn DOWNLOAD FILE . Several other white grub species including Asiatic garden beetle, European chafer, green June beetle, May and June beetles, and Oriental beetle are occasionally observed in home lawns and may cause significant damage. Grubs are easiest to control when they are young, so take preventative action in late spring through early summer. (Referenced from Iowa State University Extension). There are two types of treatments: preventive and curative. While you may be seeing grub damage now, you may start seeing ant hills in your lawn. The bottom line is that grubs are too large to treat now. Apply Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus for fast results. Grubs will usually stop feeding and start to die within 24 hours. Apply Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus for fast results. Japanese Beetles were accidentally introduced to the east coast in 1916 in a shipment of iris bulbs. Blain’s Farm & Fleet is here to help you get rid of Japanese beetles and grubs. If you don’t want to do the treatment yourself, let your local Minneapolis lawn care specialists (that’s us) help you by filling out a quote request. Also, consider why you want to manage grubs. Japanese beetles and northern masked chafer grubs are the predominant damaging white grub species associated with home lawns. Typically, Japanese beetles begin to emerge in late June and early July in WI, with peak activity for six to eight weeks. Be sure to read the insecticide product label for its instruction and safety precautions. © 2003 - 2020 Blain Supply, Inc. Prices were current at the time of posting. Having the ability, or perceived ability, to do several things simultaneously is how many of us attempt to keep up with high demands at work, home and everywhere in between. Timing will vary by geographic location. Mow any flowering weeds before scheduling liquid applications of preventive or curative grub treatment products in turf areas. Japanese Beetle Grub Control Benefits. If you have repeated intense infestations of Japanese beetles, check your soil in late summer to see if you have a large grub population. This estimate is important for deciding the severity of your white-grub problem and whether treatment is necessary. Japanese Beetle: This introduced pest is now found in most states east of the Mississippi River except Florida. Japanese Beetles were accidentally introduced to the east coast in 1916 in a shipment of iris bulbs. To understand why this timing is best, we need to understand the life cycle of a Japanese beetle. Lastly, I believe in … Although these bacteria occur naturally in the soil and may infect a small percentage of the grub population, applying commercial milky spore products has not been shown to provide any benefit in modern university research trials. Japanese beetle grubs can be sampled in late summer (August to October) and late spring (April to June). However, it is the soil-residing grub stage of beetles that we regularly find in and around the landscape (June beetles, masked chafers, etc.) Japanese beetle and June bug grubs are hatching right now and if you kill them before they grow to be large, tough, indestructible grubs, you’ll be way ahead of the game. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an “apprenticeship is a proven approach for preparing workers for jobs while meeting the needs of business for a highly-skilled workforce. Step 6 Feeding Larva:  August – October. Mature larvae are 1–2 inches (25–55 mm) in length. Brands such as Dylox and Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control are easily found in area garden centers. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. Grubs will usually stop feeding and start to die within 24 hours. Originally published in the Kenosha News. Control is usually rapid (days after treatment) and infected grubs turn a reddish-brown color. Japanese beetles can be easily removed from plants with your hands. It is an employ, Article written by Mary Metten, Health and Well-being Extension Educator. The best time to treat Japanese beetle white grubs is July through mid-September when they are small or moderate-sized. Of most concern is the Japanese beetle, a voracious feeder on the foliage of many ornamental and garden plants that often warrants treatment as an adult. When spring arrives, these grubs are still too large to try to control. Hand-picking or knocking the beetles into a container of soapy water can be helpful for small plants when limited numbers of adult beetles are present in a yard or garden. Hand picking or knocking the beetles into a container of soapy water can be helpful for small plants when limited numbers of adult beetles are present in a yard or garden. How to Control Adults. Grubs are the larval stage for many types of beetles in the scarab family–not only the Japanese Beetle but May and June Beetles, Asiatic garden beetles and brown chafers. Lift a 1-square-foot section of turf. This is why it is important to identify the grub before deciding to treat. Sometimes the easiest way to get rid of Japanese beetles is to pick them off the plants before they do too much damage. A curative treatment is easy to spot. Grubs are easiest to control when they are young, so take preventative action. Figure 1. Small grubs are easily killed at this time of year by applying products containing trichlorfon. The immature stage of the Japanese beetle – the white grub – typically has a three year life cycle. Several other species, such as May beetles and June beetles, are also present but usually in low numbers. BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus is a great product that is easy to track down. When fighting this serious pest, it’s important acknowledging that both an adult and immature form are dangerous. This is when grubs are present in the top inch of the root zone, heavily feeding on grass roots and thatch. How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetle Grubs in Fall . Grubs rise from their winter rest and begin feeding on roots, causing extensive damage to turf grasses. White grub treatment threshold is typically 8-10 grubs per square foot. How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetle Grubs in Fall. As they get larger, it is more difficult to kill them and by fall it is no longer practical to manage them. It has a stronger calling card scent than a trail of ants on spilled lemonade. Remember that the Bayer Advanced Season Long Grub Control is good for all season use. Adult Japanese Beetles are only around 40 days or so but they can do a lot of damage during that time so treat as soon as any signs are evident. Stage 3 Pupa: April – June. Grub Worms or more specifically; white grubs are the larvae of scarab beetles. You can kill all the grubs you want to – they are not larvae of any beneficial insect!) June beetles are brown, shaped similarly but a little bit more rounded, like a loaf of bread. Following are some best management options to control Japanese beetle adults and grub that can minimize impacts on pollinators: We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. In fact, 2017 was the year when the highest populations were recorded thus far. If there are more than a dozen grubs in this small area, consider treating your lawn with some type of grub control. Roses, birches, lindens, grapes, raspberries, Norway maples, beans, apples, plums, crabapples, elms, beech, asparagus and rhubarb are some of its favorite plant species. Signs of Grub Problems. The spores germinate inside the grubs, eventually killing them. Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) The Japanese beetle is a new arrival to Colorado and presently (2018) found in several areas of the Front Range, including most of the Denver Metro area, Boulder and Pueblo. The female beetles prefer to lay eggs in the soil of lawns and other turfgrass areas. Article written by Vickie Leflore, Youth Development Extension Educator. It has low toxicity to bees, other pollinators, pets, and humans. Turf should not be irrigated during the beetle's active season to help prevent the insect from laying eggs there. A biological treatment method, useful against only Japanese beetle grubs, is the application of milky spore bacteria. There are two types of treatments: preventive and curative. The primary grub control treatment should be done in late summer before damage becomes apparent (mid-July to August). Grub Worm Identification and treatment. Late Summer to Early Fall Is the Best Time to Treat Lawn Grubs. Withhold turf irrigation from July to mid-August when the beetles are in their peak active season. Is effective in controlling adult beetles from invading your lawn to ornamentals and turf until up to months. 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