We have Japanese Beetles, lots of them. They are general pests that eat the grape vines and get onto the clothes drying on the line.
Last year, I discussed Milky Spore bacterium (Paenibacillus (formerly Bacillus) popilliae), which kills the grubs in the ground. Unfortunately, it takes several years for Milky Spore to have a major effect on the beetle population.
Enter the hanging bags:
I bought five of Spectracide Bag-A-Bug Japanese Beetle Traps to hang around in various places around the yard. They are rapidly filling up with beetles.
The University of Kentucky did a study on these bag traps that says the attract far more beetles than they kill, so they need to be placed away from plants you are trying to protect. I moved this one to the end of the clothes line away from the Grapes. I will post my findings on the effectiveness of the bag-a-bug traps in a week or two. That link also takes you to an excellent page about controlling Japanese Beetles.
Paul,
Our Japanese Beetles seem to be really bad this year as well!
Oh no. Is it Japanese Beetle time already? Those things ate all of my azaleas to bare skeletons one year…. Now that all of the azaleas are gone – I wonder what this year’s target will be? I’m looking into the bag thingies immediately – will be anxiously awaiting your insight!
I’ve also found a large amount of beetles around lately. Found a beetle the size of a half dollar coin the other day, man did it squish a lot!
We are in central Illinois and the last couple weeks we have had as many beetles as we do fireflies. They are way out of control this year.