What Do Japanese Beetles Look Like?
Japanese beetles are easily identified by their shiny, metallic-green heads and thoraxes, paired with copper-colored wing covers. Adult beetles grow to about half an inch in length and feature small patches of white hair along each side of their abdomen. Their legs have rough spines that can feel slightly prickly when handled. Japanese beetle larvae are milky white grubs with brown heads. These grubs are approximately half an inch long, have a distinctive C-shaped body, and live beneath the soil surface, feeding on grass roots and plants.
Keep Japanese Beetles Out of Your Home!
Protect your home from Japanese beetles with safe, effective pest control solutions in Milwaukee.
Give Us a Call Today!What are the Signs of an Japanese Beetle Infestation?
Japanese beetles are one of the most widespread and destructive turf pests in Wisconsin. They feed on over 300 plant species, including roses, beans, grapes, raspberries, linden trees, and apple trees. Common signs of infestation include skeletonized leaves and brown, dead patches in lawns.
Japanese Beetle Control in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides professional Japanese beetle control and extermination services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our experienced pest management professionals use a combination of grub treatments and spray treatments to effectively eradicate Japanese beetles at every life stage. By starting treatments at the grub stage in early summer, we stop beetles before they emerge, delivering residual control for four months or longer while improving the overall health and appearance of your turf.
Are Japanese Beetles Harmful?
Japanese beetles do not harm humans or pets, but they can cause extensive damage to lawns and plants. Adult beetles feed aggressively on leaves, flowers, and fruit, often gathering in large numbers and quickly stripping vegetation. Their larvae feed on grassroots beneath the soil, resulting in large brown patches of dead or dying turf.
Originally from Japan, these invasive pests have spread widely across the U.S. due to a lack of natural predators. They threaten gardens, ornamental plants, and crops such as soybeans, corn, and grapes. With proper pest control practices, their populations can be controlled and their damage significantly reduced.
- Japanese Beetle FAQs -
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Japanese beetles an invasive species in Wisconsin?
Japanese beetles are an invasive species in Wisconsin. The beetle is native to Japan and was first noticed in the eastern United States in the early 1900s through international commerce and trade. Japanese beetles survived because of the favorable climate, various species of plants to feed on, and few natural predators.
What do Japanese beetles eat?
Japanese beetles feed on many different plants. Adults eat the leaves, flowers, and fruits. Preferred plants include rose, linden, grape, apple, crabapple, cherry, maple, and plum trees. They will also eat corn, okra, rhubarb, raspberries, and asparagus. Japanese beetle larvae or grubs feed on grass roots in the soil.
Do Japanese beetles bite?
Japanese beetles do not bite or sting. Their mandibles are used to chew leaves and are too weak to break through skin. They do have spiny legs that might feel prickly against your skin.
Do NOT use beetle traps!
Japanese beetle bag traps actually attract more beetles to your yard. You’ll be attracting beetles from all over town and end up with a worse problem!