Why are we seeing numerous Japanese beetles in Illinois?

Photo from Hurria Shah (Unsplash)

You might have to spend this summer with Japanese beetles. One of the commonly found hobbies amongst people of different ages is gardening. People like to plant different flowers and trees in their yard and look after them. It requires great commitment sometimes. This hobby brings joy at a given cost sometimes, the infestation.

If you are a resident of Illinois who is fond of gardening, I am sure you know what I am talking about. In June and July, typically the summer season, there is always a danger of Japanese beetles looming around the head.

Japanese beetles in your gardens

The Japanese beetles are likely to visit your precious garden in the summer months particularly and they will feed on your plants and trees. It has been found that these beetles like linden, maple trees, rose, and elm. They cause the tree leaves to fall earlier than they were meant to be as they like to feed on them. The only positive point here is that Japanese beetles will not kill your trees or plants but only feed on them.

How do they look like?

It is recommended to spot the Japanese beetles early before their full invasion of your garden. They have an oval metallic body and have a green color. Their bodies look shiny. The sooner you spot them, the easier it can be for you to take precautions against them.

Early signs of their presence

The signs of an early infestation can be the lacy leaves. This simply means that if you happen to find the lacy leaves in your yard often than normal or out of season, the Japanese beetles are probably eating those leaves and leaving the skeletal behind. This also means that you should take this seriously before they change the look of your garden.

Another sign of their existence in your garden is the dying turfgrass. Before the beetles start feeding on the trees, they live as a grub under the soil and destroy the roots bit by bit. If you are lucky to notice the change in the turfgrass, you can assure that your yard needs serious attention.

Removing with your hands

This may sound strange and odd but if you spot small numbers of Japanese beetles hovering around a plant or tree or you find them feeding on them, the first thing you can do is to remove them by hand. It is recommended to put on safety gloves and approach them early morning or late in the evening when the beetles are sluggish and the chances of retaliation are less.

Pesticide products and traps

Some poisonous sprays are available in the market but not all stop the infestation as they should be. Since we understand that the level of an infestation can vary in different yards, you should contact the Arboretum's Plant Clinic. They will decide which product can help you best in your situation. If your neighbor had luck with one pesticide does not mean, you will share the same luck. Also, it is worth remembering that multiple applications of any given product that may be required from your yard are free from these beetles. Experts also say that setting up beetle traps in your yard does not guarantee these creatures will not attack your plants.