Japanese Beetles!

[Teenytoona]

That's what's eating my cabbage - japanese beetles. My darned cabbage looks like swiss cheese and is dying dying dying. just saw an article in the paper on how they're all over the place thi syear, and low and behold, I saw those bugs all over my garden yesterday. : So the article said to get "neem away" but something makes me think that it's bad news... any ideas on what to do?

[SuburbanHippie]

I saw Japanese beetle traps at the farm supply store around here yesterday. Maybe you could try one of those?

[GardenStream]

I use neem oil and it works. Pure neem oil is even edible. I hate the smell though, so I always try to wash any residue off before I eat anything from the garden.

[serenetabbie]

Pick them off and squish them or put them in a jar (or bucket) of soapy water. It is time consuming and a little gross, but it works. Be sure you scrape the eggs off the bottoms of the leaves too. The beetle traps work in a way... they call all the neighborhood beetles to your yard! If you use one, put it far, far away from your own garden. Good luck

[reducereuserecycle]

the year my japanese beetle trap caught and killed a Monarch, i vowed to never use one again. they do a great job of catching the beetles but can also catch insects you don't want to kill.

if you do choose to use a trap, you don't need to buy the expensive bag refills. my grandma always used bread bags with a loose rubber band in the middle to create the funnel shape...just a tip