Japanese Beetles

[angmf2233]

What is the best way to keep these brats away from my flowers? I tried the beetle traps they made it worse. I live surrounded my farmers fields and they came to our house from the corn. We spray bug spray for fruits and I have him spray my flowers don't no what else to do. The time I put the beetle bags up it was like a beetle plague. I was afraid to come outside. I heard of milkspore is this helpful???????????HELP THEY EAT MY FLOWERS TO DEATH!

[gardeningmom]

where in the yard did you put the beetle bags? The misconception is that you should put them near your plants and trees when in fact they should be put far far away. The reasoning is that the bags ATTRACT the beatles. They contain a mating hormone that attracts them, they fall into the bags and are then trapped and die. I have luck with them. Also, Japanese Beetles are the matured grub worm so if you treat your lawns for grubs you can cut down on the beetles. However, you being around farm fields, this may not be possible.

[angmf2233]

I know people in town say they work great for them but I'm like the only house around with flowers out surrounded by fields. I put them in my yard and I was told never to try that trick again. I do see the grubs when I'm diggin so maybe milkspore would be helpful? I may have to give that a try. Thanks.

[dirtyfingernails]

angmf2233,
I had the same problem while living in Mass. The only way to live with them is to go outside with a can of soapy water and collect them one by one . We had some success with the milky spore powder,but it takes a couple years to really work in your own soil.
With everyone else doing nothing but spraying , they will still visit you from the surrounding area.
The biggest benefit of the milky spore is that by killing off the grubs , you will eliminate the following up of having an invasion of moles.
Bill