Pest Strategies

Are Japanese beetles and other insects taking over your garden? Take care of them using our recommendations for the best Japanese beetle traps.

With over 300 types of plants that Japanese beetles target and destroy every year, you may find yourself in need of a defense mechanism to protect your garden. That’s why Pest Strategies researched and reviewed several products on Amazon. Keep reading to learn about the best Japanese beetle traps as well as frequently asked questions and other related information to help guide your purchase.

 

Buying Guide

When you’re purchasing a Japanese beetle trap, you’ll want to consider coverage area, size, and other factors. Here’s some additional information about these types of traps to help you make an informed decision. 

• Lure system: Most Japanese beetle traps use a two-part lure system to attract beetles. This two-part bait system consists of pheromones to attract male beetles and a floral scent to attract females. This combination attracts a higher volume of beetles than a one-part lure. 

• Lasting effect: Japanese beetle traps tend to last at least three to four months. This is enough of a lifespan to protect your yard for most of the gardening season. 

• Bag: The lure is often placed inside or on top of a bag that securely contains the captured beetles. Because of its hourglass shape, the beetles are incapable of escaping. Below are two elements that vary from bag to bag.

• Design: Although most traps have replaceable bags, some utilize a reusable design. If you want to make minimal contact with the bugs, opt for a disposable option. For a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option, use reusable ones.

• Size: If you have a large beetle infestation, opt for a larger bag, as this limits how frequently you have to replace or empty it.

• Coverage area: The standard coverage area for most Japanese beetle traps is 5,000 square feet. This is usually plenty of coverage for the average garden. However, if you own several acres of land, consider purchasing more than one trap system. 

 

How To Place Your Japanese Beetle Trap

After you’ve done your research and purchased a Japanese beetle trap, it’s important to carefully place it so that it works effectively. We’ve outlined some helpful tips below, but for more information, consult the manufacturer’s guidelines. 

• Install your traps downwind from the plants you’re protecting. If you attract beetles to traps upwind of your plants, they’ll inadvertently fly over them, pausing to wreak havoc on them. 
• Place your traps as far away from your plants as possible while still remaining within the manufacturer’s recommended range. The optimum distance for many Japanese beetle traps is about 30 feet away from your plants.
• Place your traps as early in the growing season as possible. This will help prevent females from mating and laying eggs. 
• As a supplementary trap, place buckets of soapy water under the bags to capture any beetles that don’t make it in. 
• If you have any geraniums, place traps near them. Research has shown that Japanese beetles become paralyzed after feeding on geranium petals. Though they’ll eventually recover, you can get them into a trap before they do. 
• For an eco-friendly way to dispose of Japanese beetle traps, use a reusable bag, and compost the dead beetles. 
• Japanese beetles are capable of flying long distances, so any attempts to reduce their population are more effective when your neighbors help out. Whether you have a community garden or plant-loving neighbors, talk to them about placing Japanese beetle traps of their own. 

 

 

FAQs

• How long does it take captured Japanese beetles to die? 

Once they’re stuck in the bag or on the adhesive, Japanese beetles will die of starvation within a few hours or days. 

• Who typically uses Japanese beetle traps? 

Gardeners and farmers typically use these traps to protect their plants. However, the average homeowner with a few plants can also benefit from a trap. 

• What typically attracts Japanese beetles? 

Japanese beetles are attracted to a wide variety of crops, trees, shrubs, and flowers. The United States Department of Agriculture has an extensive list of the types of plants that are particularly susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. 

• Are Japanese beetle traps safe to use around pets and children? 

Yes, as long as they don’t touch the lure. Although the lure isn’t necessarily harmful to humans, it will cause Japanese beetles to swarm around them. Additionally, make sure to supervise your pets and kids around the trap so that they don’t accidentally tear open the catch bag and release live or dead beetles. 

• Will my Japanese beetle trap begin to smell bad after it catches beetles? 

Yes. Though this foul odor is a sign that your trap is successful, it can overpower the attractant, preventing other beetles from coming to the trap. Because of this, we recommend emptying the bag at least once every few days.  

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.