Shelton RossJapanese beetles or Popillia japonica are nasty insects that can wreak havoc on your lawn, garden, or any plant. These beetles are invasive and are native to Japan, and were first spotted in America in 1916 before eventually spreading throughout most parts of the country. These beetles are best known for their extraordinary feeding habits whereby they consume the leaves, buds, and fruits of over 300 plants. In case you are dealing with Japanese beetle infestation, pest granules can be an easy to use and quite efficient way of controlling and getting rid of these damaging beetles. This article aims to provide all the information concerning the necessary pest granules required to manage the Japanese .beetle infestation, their proper application and any other relevant information on this insect in the garden and on the lawn.
Life Cycle of the Japanese Beetles
Nearing to the discussion of pest granules, it is pertinent to first comprehend the life cycle of Japanese beetles. By understanding each of these stages and the timing of intervention, these measures can be targeted towards them when they are at their weakest.
Egg Stage: Japanese beetles are known to lay down their eggs in the soil which normally happens during summer months. The larvae (grubs) from these eggs will emerge in approximately two weeks.
Larval Stage: The young larvae or grubs of the Japanese beetles stay in the soil, where they feed on grassroots and may create destructive consequences to lawns. This stage persists after fall and into spring.
Pupal Stage: In the late spring to early summer months, larvae transform into pupae and later emerge as adult beetles.
Adult Stage: This is the most conspicuous and destructive lifetime stage of adult Japanese beetles. They start the feeding of vegetable tissues, copulating, and ovipositing, hence, repeating the entire stage.
This is where each lifetime cycle has a chance of control, but especially at the larval stage when the use of pest granules becomes most helpful, the grubs are already churned in the soil.
Why Use Pest Granules?
Pest granules come with several benefits as compared to other methods of controlling pests:
Targeted Application: Granules can be used on the ground, and once used, they penetrate the ground and reach the level of the beetle larvae position.
Long Lasting Effects: Granules are quite effective in the long control of insects compared on sprays, because they contain controlled-release insecticide.
Safe for Plants: Granular formulations are non-risk of most plants if applied appropriately and are low risks to beneficial insects.
Convenient: Granules pest control does require much workload as they are fast in application and large areas of confinement can be reached in a short time.
Pest Granules Targeting Japanese Beetles
Pest granules comprise a host of granules which have been found to be effective against the Japanese beetle, especially in the grub stage. Here are the most frequently used a b c d e options.
Include granules based on imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is a common pest control product available to consumers. This member of neonicotinoid class proves to be highly efficient in the control of the Japanese beetle grubs when applied into the soil.
How it Works: Imidacloprid has adverse effects on the nervous system of the beetles causing paralysis and ultimately death. This effect is most pronounced when the treatment is done prior to the inception of the grubs metamorphosing into adult beetles.
Application Timing: Imidacloprid granules should ideally be formulated and administered in the late spring or early summer just a few weeks before the grubs are about to moult into adult beetles. This makes certain that the grubs will be feeding on the roots and consuming the insecticide at this time.
Benefits: The application of imidacloprid granules provides robust residual headaches and it is possible to have protection for a whole season. This makes it one of the most preferred methods of grub control. 2. Milky Spores Granules
Milky spore is a naturally occurring bacterium focused rather on Japanese beetle larvae. Hence more environmental.
How It Works: Ever since the grubs game infect with the bacteria they contacted so they get the milky spore disease. This disease is transmitted through the grubs and later eliminates them.
Application Timing: Milky spore is effective if applied when the grubs are in late summer or during the early fall when they are feeding on grassroots. It may take 2-3 years for the spores population to grow in the soil but once it has grown, it will control the pests for a period of time up to 10 years.
Benefits: Milky spore granules are safe to use by humans and pets as well as to beneficial insects. They allow this for a longer time although it takes a season or two to get the results.
Dylox Granules (Trichlorfon)
Trichlorfon, otherwise referred to as Dylox, is a contact insecticide for Japanese beetle grubs, which acts very quickly in its application.
How It Works: Dylox works by killing the grub via systems targeting its nervous system that works pretty fast. For targeted control in times of serious attacks, it is a matter of days and the grubs are dead up to 24 hours after extending the application.
Application Timing: Periodically, Dylox granules are applied in the late summer, or even the early autumn remnant season of grub activity. After the application, it is very important to water the granules into the soil, to the place where they can be effective against target pest.
Benefits: Dylox effectively manages grub populations quickly. This is why it is useful in situations of emergency. The drawback however is that its impact is not as prolonged as other products such as Imidacloprid.
Chlorantraniliprole Based Granules
Chlorantraniliprole is a somewhat newer category of insecticides that adequately controls Japanese beetle grubs while doing little harm to the environment.
How It Works: Chlorantraniliprole kills beetles by paralyzing their muscles. It kills grubs but spare the bees, it is most enticing. Application: Apply when there are still small grubs.
Application Timing: Chlorantraniliprole granules have to be applied when the sclerotium inflorescence of the Japanese beetle is beginning to develop and before any protective cover has been issued to the flowers. Moistening the granules after putting them in has also been found to increase their efficacy.
Benefits: Chlorantraniliprole is Safe for the target pests and the useful insect as well – A low impact solution. There is also complete immune protection throughout the season.
How to Use Pest Granules to Ensure Complete Success
In the earlier discussion, we talked about the types of pest granules so, now it is also important to learn how these pest control resources should be applied for optimum outcome. The following steps should be taken:
Time of Application
The time of application is important in getting rid of Japanese beetle grubs. Granules are most ideally applied in the late summer or early fall months just before larvae migrate deeper into the soft earth at the burrowing stage to prepare for winter. By applying them during this time, you make sure that the terreacted granules come in contact on the larvae when they are most probably not moving.
Appropriate Application Rate
The label gives an avowal-dependent application rate that will save the hard owned flowers from the attack of beetles pest granules. Applying too much overrides the normal growth of rose plants while applying too little will not eliminate the beetles effectively.
Watering After Granules Application
The most common way of using pest granules entails watering them into the soil. After covering the granules, make sure to apply water either to the lawn or garden so that the possible later-deposited insecticide will reach the beetle larvae.
Treat the Complete Affected Region
The spread of Japanese beetles is concerning thus, it is important to ensure that the granules are applied uniformly over the infested area. If the size of the lawn or garden is considerable, it may be necessary to use a spreader for proper distribution.
Perform Excess Application
Depending on the granule used, and to some extent the grade of infestation, the need to apply the product may be necessary every couple of weeks. Granules of imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole generally remain effective for protecting a given area for the entire season but not with Dylox which, needs re-application even more frequently.
Extra Strategies to Control Japanese Beetles
Using pest pesticides granules for the control of the Japanese beetle grubs is effective up to a certain point. However, it is also necessary to deal with the adult beetles. Here are several other ways to do it:
Handpicking: During this stage, beetles can be handpicked from the plants and tossed into a bucket filled with soapy water. This technique is optimal for small gardens with easily controllable numbers of beetles.
Traps: Adult beetles can be captured using pheromones, however, this technique should be used sparingly because it may bring in more beetles than you had intended to get rid of.
Companion Planting: Plants such as garlic and chives are very effective in preventing Japanese beetles. These could be planted with the more delicate plants that have a higher susceptibility to the beetles.
Conclusion
It is apparent that the Japanese beetles can be a nightmare in terms of the yard and/or garden. However, there are effective methods to deal with Japanese beetle grubs in the yard by using pest granules. Imidacloprid granules, Milky Spore, Dylox or Chlorantraniliprole granules will all be effective but they should be applied at even the right time and manner. So following the tips provided in the article, you will be able to control and get rid of the Japanese beetles in your outdoor space letting all your plants and the lawn to be in good shape.
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