Seed Talk #45 - Japanese Beetles

Are Japanese beetles destroying your plants? Wondering what you can do to reduce the population of these pests in your garden or on your farm? Today, Lisa and Layne are joined by The Gardener's Workshop's warehouse manager and bug enthusiast Rhonda Graves to tackle the subject of Japanese beetles. They discuss how to identify Japanese beetles, their place of origin and where they have spread to, how they damage plants, their lifecycle and lifespan, when they emerge and how long they stick around, various prevention and treatment options, and more. Listen to the podcast to get an in-depth look at Japanese beetles and learn how to manage these destructive pests in your garden or on your farm!

All “Seed Talk” episodes are organized into a YouTube playlist. In addition, auto-generated transcripts are available for viewing on YouTube. On mobile apps, click the down arrow adjacent to the video name, then select “Show Transcript”. On a computer, click the three horizontal dots below the video, then select “Show Transcript”. If there is a question or topic you would like to hear discussed on a future episode of “Seed Talk”, please fill out the form linked below. We would love to hear your suggestions!

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The “Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne” podcast is produced by The Gardener’s Workshop and co-hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo. Lisa is the founder and owner of The Gardener’s Workshop, where Layne works as Seed Manager. Lisa is the award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers and the publisher of Flower Farming School Online, Farmer-Florist School Online, and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa’s Story and connect with her on social media. Layne is an avid gardener, seed starter, and engineer who loves learning and applying her technical knowledge to all areas of life, including gardening and growing flowers. Thanks for joining us!
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[caitegraceify]

I recently found out that firefly larvae eat Japanese beetle larvae! I planted a cover crop in with my plants this year to add nitrogen and organic matter and then chopped it down as it started to go to seed, and laid it down between my plants. One night I went out to my yard and I had a free light show. I had never seen so many fireflies. I had to figure out why so I started researching (I used to be a cataloger for a library so it’s one of my favorite things to do besides growing all things green) down the rabbit hole and I found out I accidentally created the perfect environment for fireflies. The larvae of which - EAT Japanese beetle larvae!!

[grgardn]

I grew peach four o'clocks and noticed beetles are attracted to them but when they nibble, they drop off the plant and die quickly. The peach four o'clocks are not only pretty, they reseed and also grow back by tubers. They are not invasive and are easy to control by pulling up the seedlings in the spring. I do believe I have less JBs every year since I started growing peach four o'clocks. I don't know if all of the colors work as well but I love having 3-4' "shrubs" covered in pretty peachy flowers everyday.

[KirstinLDavidson]

I laughed out loud when you called is the “cup of death”! I have the “bottle of death” in my garden shed that I bring out all summer! Lol!!

[stephaniestatnick]

Love the bug talks!! Grasshoppers please:)

[durendalawson]

Loved the show! Thanks for the information. I would love more information about how to get rid of flea beetles.

[kathyhubel]

Great video talk show! Thank you! I recently removed a lily plant from my back yard which was planted by my garage, no damage. Planted in front and since then they have totally eaten the 2 lily plants and into my snow in summer and just recently in my columbines, which they have totally eaten. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. There is plenty in my yard. So you can now add Alberta along with British Columbia, Ontario.

[bktcz]

Squash vine borers! UGH.... have not had a successful pumpkin crop yet... am determined though!!!! THANK YOU for all your inspiration and amazing advice!

[chadrickabaugh]

Thanks for the info! I'm currently working my way through your course and I'm really enjoying all your website has to offer. I would love to learn more about identifying the harmful vs beneficial insects in the garden and how to attract or deter them.

[ginny.harrison]

I'd love for you to cover the cucumber beetle. It's as big of a pest for me as the Japanese beetle.

[onehubcapfarm]

My property backs up to hundreds of acres of woods and we have resident skunks. All winter I noticed how they were digging out grubs to eat all over the garden and fields and then this year I have minimal Japanese beetle pressure, not even enough to go out with the bucket for the most part (I just squish them with my fingers). Yay for nature! Now as long as they don’t start eating my earthworms I will be happy!

[firefli]

Thank you for this video! I'm a first time gardener and noticed these beetles destroying some of my strawberries - I quickly learned that soapy water is a requirement when I'm out inspecting my plants.

[cogasawara]

This was so timely! I found my first evidence tonight on my zinnias! Thank you so much for this video! 🌸

[YanickaQuilt]

the japanese beetles in my garden didn't get the memo that they don't like Zinnias because they were happily munching on them when I found them

[cecilleflowerfarm]

Milky spores are very effective for me I’m lay them every fall.

[jlp]

I’m struggling with little grasshoppers, eating marigolds down to a skeleton.

[cbak]

Wow.. I've only found 2 so far.. July is our time in WNY. 2023.
Thank you for this in-depth topic.

[fionavietje]

This was great! So helpful and timely. I’d love for you to cover scarlet lily beetle please!

[haleymglick]

I live in central Ca and we most definitely have them here now.

[cherylvanriper]

Thank you I loved this! The birds are picking out my sunflowers!!

[jeanettebright]

I am also having Harlequin bugs eating my flowers. Have used the soapy water hand picking method for them also. Do you have any other suggestions?