Japanese beetles may appear fancy and harmless with its iridescent green head and copper wings but don’t let it deceive you. Once spotted, you should immediately find ways to exterminate the whole pest population before it causes tremendous damage to your crops. Neem oil is a great natural solution when it comes to getting rid of larvae and eggs, so as soon as you start noticing beetles appearing, it’s time to do a grub control!
Japanese beetles reached the US by accident in the early 1900s and have been considered invasive pests since then. They can cause huge damage to fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. Japanese Beetle grubs or their larvae can heavily damage your turf by competing with the lawn for soil nutrients.
The tell-tale signs of Japanese beetle infestation are plant leaves that look like skeletons. Since grubs feed on leaves, they only eat the soft parts and leave the veins behind. Japanese beetle grub on garden soil can uproot a large area of your yard and leave the grass to die.
Luring and trapping is one of the most effective ways to keep these insects away from your precious plants, and to prevent them to lay eggs, so we’ve narrowed down your options for the best Japanese beetle traps so you can finally rid of Japanese beetles and white grubs as well while keeping beneficial insects like bees, and nematodes safe.
Top 5 Best Japanese Beetle Traps
1. Spectracide Bag-A-Bug Japanese Beetle Trap2, 1-Count
Adult Japanese beetles breed and attack between June through August and it is best to stay guarded before that happens. The Spectracide Bag-a-Bug Japanese Beetle Trap guarantees to attract and trap two to five times more Japanese beetles. It uses the beetle’s natural sex attractant as a lure and does not have harmful chemicals in it.
The set comes with a lure, a bag trap, a hang tie, and two (2) interlocking vanes. Once opened and installed, the trap can last the whole beetle season or at least three (3) months. It is advisable to set up the trap as soon as the beetle season starts in June. The trap can provide protection for a 5000 square foot area but to maximize its efficiency, it is advisable to set up four (4) traps for every ½ acre.
The replacement bags are reusable and the lure is also refillable. Users are advised to empty the bags often to avoid the accumulation of bugs especially in moderate to severe beetle population. It does not kill beetles so users are advised to kill the trapped insects prior to disposal.
Pros
- Chemical-free lure and trap
- Reusable trap
- Lure lasts through the whole beetle season
- Uses the beetle’s natural sex attractant
Cons
- Will smell if not emptied regularly
Bottom line:
Spectracide is one of the trusted brands when it comes to pest control products and this chemical-free trap has proven that natural sex attractants work better on Japanese beetles. Research and creativity are advised especially that this does not kill the trapped insects and disposal can be tricky.
Spectracide Bag-A-Bug Japanese Beetle Trap is a highly effective way to help your landscape and garden plants bloom beetle-free.
2. Rescue – Disposable Non-Toxic Japanese/Oriental Beetle Trap (2 Pack)
It has a floral scented and natural sex attractant that invites the Japanese beetles to explore inside. It has a funnel-like yellow trap that will make it impossible for trapped insects to come out. The bag also stays attached to the trap because of its welded design.
The most challenging part for homeowners using Japanese beetle traps is the disposal. It can be messy and scary especially that improper disposal can lead alive beetles to return to your garden. Good thing, Rescue has incorporated a slide-lock bottom that allows users to dispose of the trapped insects without touching them and without removing the bag attached to the vanes.
Pros
- Four (4) times bigger bag
- Slide-lock bottom for easy disposal
- Chemical-free lure and trap
- Chemical-free lure and trapReusable trap
Cons
- Will smell if not emptied regularly
Bottom line:
The success of a trap is almost guaranteed in every Japanese beetle trap brand but the appeal to its users especially on the disposal aspect it something worth considering. Rescue gets a nod from us on this category by incorporating a slide-lock bottom in their design.
Japanese and Oriental Beetles are invasive species that can wreak havoc on your garden and landscaping. This trap attracts and catches both!
3. Bonide Beetle Bagger Replacement Dual Release Lure (For Japanese Beetle Traps)
Homeowners who have been dealing with Japanese beetles for years are in constant search of a better beetle trap annually. Some brands often reformulate but Bonide Beetle Bagger has proven to stick with their effective formulation over the years.
Like most beetle traps nowadays, it uses floral and sex pheromone trap that is irresistible to insects. The pheromone traps have an hourglass shape bag that ensures the beetles trapped will not escape. A set comes with a trap, a lure, and two collection bags for easy disposal.
The lure and a bag should last you all season and can offer protection to up to 5,000 square feet of space. Collection bags and lure replacements are also easy to find.
Pros
- Comes with two (2) collection bags
- Chemical-free lure and trap
- Lure lasts through the whole beetle season
- Uses the beetle’s natural sex and floral scent attractant
Cons
- Will smell if not emptied regularly
- Collection bags may not be sturdy enough to be reused
Bottom line:
Some may say that this brand is more expensive than others but if we are going to rate the effectivity of this trap overall, this gets five stars. At the end of the day, it is the lure that drives Japanese beetles to the trap and this by far is one of the best out there.
The Bonide Beetle Bagger employs a dual-action floral/pheromone lure system. This is what ensures our traps are irresistible to the insect.
4. Safer Brand Japanese Beetle Trap w/Attractant
Safer brand, as it’s company name implies it, makes chemical-free and organic pest control products. One of these is the Safer Japanese Beetle Trap which uses food and sex attractants. These scents draw the attention of the adult beetles to the trap, capture them and interferes with the mating and breeding cycle. This wipes up a huge chunk of the population.
Likewise, the lure they are using has a controlled-release mechanism that prolongs the life of the attractant to last the whole season. Each set has a set of vanes, one (1) lure and two (2) extra large bags. The bags are hourglass shape and are in a darker shade of green compared with its competitors. This minimizes light in the bag and prevents the pests from seeing their way out.
Pros
- Darker and larger collection bags
- Comes as a set
- Chemical-free lure and trap
- Lure lasts through the whole beetle season
- Uses the beetle’s natural sex and floral scent attractant
Cons
- Will smell if not emptied regularly
- Collection bags may not be sturdy enough to be reused
Bottom line:
The Safer brand has made its name as an organic pest control product expert. And with their Japanese Beetle Trap, they have once again proven that their brand takes the threat of these pests seriously. The controlled release attractant is also a smart thing to incorporate in the product to guarantee that users don’t have to refill or replace the lure before the season ends.
The Safer Brand Japanese Beetle Trap uses a food and sex attractant to lure insects into the trap and disrupt the mating cycle. A controlled release system maximizes the life of the attractant and protects the attractant from environmental degradation.
5. Tanglefoot Japanese Beetle Xpando Trap Kit
Insects have become highly adaptable over the years. This is why design is really important in considering a Japanese Beetle Trap. The Tanglefoot Japanese Bettle Trap features an expandable plastic trap that is attractive to both males and females. It is also reusable and durable and can trap a large number of pests inside.
Its dual-type lure gives out both food and sex scent to the target insects. The lure is attached to the bright yellow vanes that hold the plastic traps. This trap is guaranteed to last all season. You only need to replace the attractant for the next beetle season as the trap kit will surely last you a long time.
Pros
- Reusable and expandable plastic collection bags
- Comes as a set
- Chemical-free lure and trap
- Lure lasts through the whole beetle season
- Uses the beetle’s natural sex and floral scent attractant
Cons
- Will smell if not emptied regularly
Bottom line:
Tanglefoot is quite a popular brand when it comes to Japanese beetle traps. Its unique collection bag piques the interest of the buyers and satisfies those who bought it. It is nice that users no longer have to purchase replacements or worry about the sturdiness of their collection bags.
Long-lasting, all weather, expandable plastic trap. Outlasts bag versions. Pesticide-free alternative to harmful chemicals. Ideal for home or commercial use.
Conclusion
Japanese beetle traps are an effective and quick way to get rid of these insects during their season without using chemical-based insecticides. The best way to maximize these products is to follow the installation instructions.
The spacing between the plants, trees and shrubs you are trying to protect and the location of the traps is very important. Likewise, the number of traps to be installed per station will also be determined by the severity of the infestation.
The best time to control japanese beetles and to buy traps is NOW. And install it as soon as you started spotting one around July. It is best to keep them attracted on the trap early this season, as soon as they start to lurk around your trees and garden.
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