Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you well. Last week when I bought chicken feed, I noticed they had Japanese Beetle traps. I asked if they work and the guy said, “Yes, but you don’t want to be around it or put it close to where you are sitting or working.” So, I decided I would bring it home and give it a try.

A couple of days ago when I was mowing next to the Canna bed, I noticed something was eating the leaves. It was Japanese Beetles.

I checked the roses behind the house and sure enough, they were eating the roses, too. Then I noticed the Miniature Hollyhock had fallen victim to something and there were no leaves or flowers left on the plant. There was a dead caterpillar stuck to one of the bare stems, though. So, I guess that is it for the Malva sylvestris unless it grows new leaves.

I didn’t get the beetle trap set up until Sunday afternoon. I attached it to the support wire to the light pole about 20′ away from the Canna bed. This morning, Monday, I checked the trap when I was getting water for the chickens. There was already about 2″ beetles trapped in the bottom of the bag.

I checked the trap early Monday evening when I was about ready to start mowing again. The trap was already half full and the beetles were flying around it. Good thing it is reusable…

The trees in the background are Chinese Elms which are the main reason the Japanese Beetles are so bad here. There are five trees in “the other back yard” and near the chicken house, two or three behind the chicken house, and two by the pond. By the time the beetles are finished, there will be no more shade under those trees. The shade bed where the Hosta are growing is under two Chinese Elms and a Maple.

Setting the trap up is simple and the “attractant” slips into place on the top. There are no harmful chemicals.

The bottom of the trap snaps into place and acts as a funnel. Beetles aren’t the most coordinated fliers and they can’t figure out how to fly out of the trap. I’m not sure how full the bag should get before I empty it…

I can easily say the beetle trap works. I put it close to the Cannas because I want to get the beetles away from them. I may need to get another trap to put by the shade bed. Depending on how fast they fill up, I may need several…

The Japanese Beetles feed on more than 300 species of plants. They only live for a few weeks, but the females lay more eggs every day. The eggs become grubs which feed on plant roots and can cause a lot of damage to turf grass. Around the first part of June, the grubs become a pupa and emerge from the soil in late June. That’s what it says online, but that could vary from location I’m sure. I have been watching for them, and it was like they weren’t here, then the next day they were. They have just gotten started and have barely even begun on the Chinese Elms. Even though I catch thousands over a few weeks, I am anxious to see the end result. Will I catch enough in time to still have leaves on the Elms, or will enough not get caught they will destroy the shade anyway? We shall see… I suppose the more traps I have the more effective they will be.

I had the Calla Lily on the back porch and it was doing really GREAT there. This evening I noticed the Japanese Beetles were eating its leaves so I chased them off and moved the pot to the front porch. There is nothing in the front yard to attract them, so I have no issues there. They found the Calla on the back porch because it is close to the roses. The sad thing is, the Calla was flowering nicely but now it doesn’t look so good. The damage was done in just a few hours time.

I am getting about ready to write my first review for Thor, the mole repeller. One seems to be working better than the other, but I really have no complaints. Of course, the moles are bad in certain areas because of the Japanese Beetle eggs and grubs. The worse thing about the moles is they tunnel under plants, pushing them up or leaving a hole under the plants where the roots should be growing. When watering, the water also runs down into the mole tunnels.

*ADDITIONAL INFO ADDED THE NEXT DAY:

1. The bottom of the bag has a zip-lock feature that makes emptying the bag easy. Just be ready for the beetles in the bag to drop into another container you can close quickly. I used a plastic shopping bag and tied it in a knot. You will lose a few but I am sure they will go back in the trap.
2. Do not place the trap close to where plants are they may be attracted to. The beetles will come from a pretty good distance and may be attracted to plants instead of going into the trap. Place the trap at least 30-40 feet away from where they are feeding to lure the beetles away from them.

Tuesday morning when I went to dump the trap there were beetles swarming around it. I could see them flying from the “other yard” where the elm trees are. Being empty at noon, I will be able to see how many have accumulated by 6 PM. I am not sure how full the bag can get before it should be dumped. It was a little over half full when I dumped it.

To be honest with you, I don’t like harming any type of nature. Even when I spray and dig thistles and feel bad about it in a way. Like the Japanese Beetles, the thistles are not native but so many other plants aren’t either. But they are living beings (or plants, which all have a spirit). Most invasive plants and critters are not native. Most native species are not invasive because nature has made away to control the native populations. Hmmm… I better stop with that… Well, my family is not Native American either but we are all native to the planet. Then again, so are invasive species. OK, I better stop thinking about that or I will go take down the beetle traps.

My plans for writing a post a day went by the wayside, even though I took photos. I am not very good when it comes to making a schedule. It is just in my head. 🙂

Until next time, whenever that may be, be safe and stay positive. The heat is upon us with no rain in the forecast, so be careful. I suppose that depends on where you live. But, regardless of where you live, be safe and always stay positive. Always be thankful for your many blessings. I better stop with that and also say I hope you GET DIRTY (in a clean way). 🙂