How To Get Rid Of Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are one of the most destructive garden pests, feeding on over 300 types of plants and causing significant turf and foliage damage. The best way to get rid of these beetles involves combining immediate control measures with long-term prevention:

Manual Removal (Best for Small Infestations)

Go outside in the early morning or evening when beetles are sluggish.
Knock them off plants into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.
Regular handpicking significantly reduces the population and prevents them from attracting more beetles with their pheromones.

Targeted Plant Protection

Neem oil or pyrethrin sprays can deter feeding and kill beetles on contact.
Reapply after rain or heavy dew.
For ornamentals, you can cover plants with row covers during peak activity (late June through August).

Lawn and Soil Treatments (For Grubs)

Japanese beetle adults lay eggs in soil, which hatch into root-feeding grubs. Breaking the cycle at this stage is crucial.

Beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) – microscopic worms that infect and kill grubs.
Milky spore disease – a natural bacterium that infects Japanese beetle grubs; slow to establish but long-lasting.
Preventive grub insecticides (such as imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole) – applied in late spring to early summer before eggs hatch.

Traps – Use with Caution

Japanese beetle traps use pheromones and floral scents, but they often attract more beetles than they capture.
If used, place them far away from plants you want to protect (at least 30–50 feet).

Plant Less Attractive And Resistant Plant Varieties

Japanese beetles prefer roses, grapes, linden trees, birch, and fruit trees.
Less attractive plants include boxwood, lilac, forsythia, holly, and arborvitae. Diversifying your landscape with resistant species reduces damage.

When to Call a Professional

If beetle populations are severe year after year, or if grub damage is destroying your lawn, our professional can apply stronger treatments and develop an integrated pest management plan.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Japanese Beetles

Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of Japanese beetles because these invasive beetles are highly destructive, have complex life cycles, and require a multifaceted management approach that most DIY methods cannot achieve effectively or safely. Here’s why our expert intervention makes the biggest difference:

Comprehensive Inspection and Identification: Japanese beetles have a dual threat — the adult beetles feed on foliage, flowers, and fruits, while their larvae (grubs) feed on grass roots underground. Our professional technicians are trained to identify every stage of infestation and assess both above-ground and below-ground activity. This ensures that treatment targets the full population, not just the visible adults.
Specialized Treatment Methods: Our professionals use advanced, science-based products and application techniques that aren’t available to the general public. These include systemic insecticides that protect plants from feeding adults, soil treatments to eliminate grubs, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies designed to prevent future outbreaks.
Safe and Effective Product Use: DIY insecticides often result in overuse, misapplication, or environmental harm — especially when dealing with large ornamental plants or lawns. Our licensed pest control specialists are trained to apply EPA-approved materials precisely and safely, protecting beneficial insects, pollinators, and surrounding vegetation.
Targeted Grub Control: Because Japanese beetles start as grubs in the soil, tackling the problem requires controlling them before they emerge. Our professionals use timing-based treatments aligned with the beetles’ life cycle, ensuring larvae are eliminated when they’re most vulnerable, which helps break the infestation cycle.
Long-Term Prevention and Monitoring: A one-time spray may only kill adult beetles temporarily. Our professional pest control companies implement ongoing prevention programs, monitoring beetle activity, applying follow-up treatments, and recommending cultural practices like proper lawn care, soil management, and resistant plant choices to deter future infestations.
Cost-Effective and Time-Saving: Japanese beetle damage can devastate landscaping, ornamentals, and turf — leading to costly replacements and repairs. Our professional pest control prevents extensive damage early on, saving time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Our professional pest control provides a strategic, thorough, and sustainable solution to Japanese beetle infestations by combining expertise, timing, and precision treatments that protect both your landscape and your investment.

Get Rid Of Japanese Beetles With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!