The Japanese Beetle is very active this time of year! They feed on leaves and flowers of over 350 species of fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, field and forage crops, and weeds. Norway and Japanese maple, birch, crabapple, purple-leaf plum, rose, mountain ash, linden, grapes, and basil are preferred hosts.
Consider protecting smaller plants (e.g., vegetables, herbs, small shrubs and trees) from Japanese beetles by covering them with nylon insect screens from late June to early September. Use a mesh size of ¼ inch or less and be sure to secure the edge of the mesh the ground. On smaller plants, you can hand pick or knock off beetles and put them into a container of soapy water.
There are many insecticides that can protect foliage and flowers from Japanese beetle adults. When selecting an insecticide, consider the potential impact of the product on non-target organisms (e.g., bees and other pollinators, pets and humans).
