How do you keep Japanese beetles away?
David Jones
Published Jun 02, 2026
How do you keep Japanese beetles away?
Try planting garlic, rue, or tansy near your affected plants to deter Japanese beetles. Parasitic Wasps: You can also attract native species of parasitic wasps (Tiphia vernalis or T. popilliavora) and flies to your garden, as they are predators of the beetles and can be beneficial insects.
Will vinegar kill Japanese beetles?
Apple cider vinegar: Mix up equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a bucket. Knock the beetles off the plants and into the bucket. The acid will kill them. Companion plants: Try planting garlic or chives around the plants that Japanese beetles particularly go for.
What do Japanese beetles hate?
Companion planting: Incorporate plants that repel Japanese beetles such as catnip, chives, garlic, odorless marigold, nasturtium, white geranium, rue, or tansy near susceptible plants to help keep the beetles away. For more on plant selection, see Japanese Beetle Food Preferences, from Iowa State University.
What smells do Japanese beetles hate?
Japanese Beetles use their antennae to pick up scents that attract them to their mates and various plants. You can repel Japanese Beetles by utilizing scents they hate, such as wintergreen, gaultheria oil, teaberry oil, peppermint oil, neem oil, wormwood oil, juniper berry oil, chives, and garlic.
Where do Japanese beetles go at night?
Japanese beetles nest and sleep in the ground. They burrow a few inches underground, or as deep as necessary to get adequate protection from the elements. When it rains, Japanese beetles will dig their way through the soil and find a temporary home underneath the soil in order to find respite from the rain.
What smell do Japanese beetles hate?
Why are Japanese beetles bad?
Finding Japanese beetles Japanese beetles destroy plants, flowers and grass as a result of their eating habits. This damage can cause the plants to die. Grubs, or immature Japanese beetles, can also cause damage. They live beneath the soil and feed on the roots of grass and other plants.
Where do Japanese beetles sleep at night?
Japanese beetles nest and sleep in the ground. They burrow a few inches underground, or as deep as necessary to get adequate protection from the elements.