Knowledgebase

Japanese beetles #945246

Asked September 16, 2026, 9:21 PM EDT

How do you get rid of Japanese beetles

Delta County Michigan

Expert Response


Hello Pam,

Japanese beetles

Look for adults in late June through September. Timing may vary by location. Adults tend to congregate on plants, feeding between the leaf veins and making leaves look lace-like or skeletonized. Japanese beetle adults feed on a wide variety of herbaceous perennials.

Management
Japanese beetles are attracted to previously damaged plants, so it is important to control beetles early. Pheromone and bait traps are not recommended because they attract more beetles from surrounding areas and can cause greater plant damage. Small numbers of Japanese beetle adults can be hand-picked. Contact insecticides may
be applied as soon as adults are apparent. Note that many contact insecticides are harmful to bees, beneficial insects, and mites
More information at the link below:

Japanese beetle - Integrated Pest Management

Additional information at the links below:

How to Control Japanese Beetles | Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum

Japanese Beetles - MSU Extension

Managing Japanese beetles in fruit crops - MSU Extension

Japanese beetle: Tips for your lawn - MSU Extension

GDD of Landscape Insects - Integrated Pest Management

I hope this helps!









An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 17, 2026, 3:20 AM EDT

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