Rid Your Lawn And Garden Of Japanese Beetles With One Fast And Effective Solution

Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are detrimental to lawns and gardens. In their larval stage, these little brown insects feed on grass roots, leading to unsightly brown patches in your yard. As adults, Japanese beetles attack foliage, flowers, and fruits of more than 300 species of plants, quickly turning a flourishing garden into a desolate patch and leaving plants susceptible to diseases. While you'll want to act quickly, it's essential to consider the right treatment for your yard's specific needs. Homeowners often turn to chemical pesticides to treat a Japanese beetle infestation, but this isn't your only option. The solution to your bug problem might just be another bug: the beneficial nematode.

While chemical treatments are effective at removing Japanese beetles, they often require multiple applications, which can become time-consuming and costly. Chemical pesticides can also be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment. If you find yourself dealing with a Japanese beetle infestation, beneficial nematodes are a clever and eco-friendly way to keep bugs out of your garden. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and can kill pests within 24 to 48 hours, helping to keep your lawn and garden healthy without harsh chemicals.

While it may seem counterintuitive to introduce another critter to your garden, beneficial nematodes are aptly named. After burrowing into their bodies, these powerful little worms will release a poisonous bacterium into the larvae of Japanese beetles. They'll also target a variety of other garden pests you'll want to banish from your yard. This bacteria will begin to kill larvae within 48 hours, though a noticeable reduction in their numbers may take up to two weeks. Plus, nematodes reproduce quickly and work round-the-clock to kill Japanese beetles, so you won't have to constantly re-apply insecticides or hunt the beetles down yourself.

In order for this natural method to work, you'll need to choose the right species for the job. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema riobrave are two species that target white grubs, including Japanese beetle larvae. You can purchase beneficial nematodes from many garden and home improvement stores, nurseries, and online retailers. Beneficial nematodes are easy to apply to your lawn and garden. Simply mix them with water and apply them to the affected area while soil temperatures are warm. Reapplication after about a week is recommended to stagger the life cycles so adult nematodes are always present. For the best results, you should follow the instructions listed on the specific product you purchase.