Pest control is an important and unavoidable part of gardening throughout the spring and summer. Whether you have an army of voracious slugs hell-bent on devouring your lettuce or a swarm of local caterpillars making it their mission to devour your dahlias, pest infestations are a problem that can't be ignored.
Stag beetles (or stag beetles) are voracious little reddish-brown beetles that feed on lush new leaves and flowers, often at night. Unfortunately for gardeners, this means that a significant amount of plant matter can get eaten under cover of darkness.
Just like learning how to get rid of mealybugs in the garden or how to get rid of Japanese beetles, mealybug infestations are best managed through a combination of prevention measures and minimizing damage. Here, pest control experts share their advice on how to find, repel and treat a mealybug problem in the garden.
(Image credit: Getty Images/fhm)
How to get rid of scarab beetles from your garden
June bugs, or June beetles, are so named because they tend to appear in June. They usually appear in late spring or early summer. Confusingly, the name “June bugs” is an umbrella term for several types of plant-eating scarab beetles that feed on plants such as grasses, leaves, flowers, fruits, and grains.
How to identify rhinoceros beetles
(Image credit: Getty Images/TorriPhoto)
“Butterfly beetles look the same as other beetles,” says Reece Robbins, pest expert and founder of Just Pure Gardening. “They're oval-shaped and reddish-brown in color. They vary in size, but are usually about half an inch to an inch long.”
“Dung beetles are nocturnal,” Rees continues. “They usually feed at night.” Because of this, they're often attracted to light. “If you host a dinner party in your yard, you might see some dung beetles buzzing around your outdoor lights.”
Reese recommends “regularly inspecting your plants for pest infestation.” The first sign is that the leaves or flowers are being eaten, so it's important to inspect your prized plants, including flowering perennials and annuals. A powerful flashlight, available at Walmart, can help you inspect your plants at night and catch the diamondback moths.
Unfortunately for us gardeners, the grass grubs that live in the soil are the larval stage of the beetle and are difficult to monitor or control unless you plan on digging up your borders and sifting through large parts of your garden. If you notice brown spots on your lawn, alarm bells should sound.
But don't worry, there are ways to deter and repel diamondback moths from your borders, as well as products that can help prevent an infestation.
Reese L. Robbins
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Founder of Just Pure Gardening
Reese L. Robbins is the founder of Just Pure Gardening, a site filled with fruit and vegetable growing guides, gardening ideas, and gardening product reviews.
How to repel rhinoceros beetles
(Image credit: Getty Images/Mike Bowen)
“Diamondback moths are attracted to bright outdoor lights, especially in the evenings,” says Rees. “You may need to use outdoor lights when entertaining, but consider turning down the brightness of your outdoor lights, which will greatly reduce the chances of attracting pests to your yard.”
Rees advises that one of the best ways to repel stink bugs is to create an environment where “natural predators like birds are welcome.” Encouraging native birds to nest and feed in your garden will either make food for the stink bugs or send them to another part of your garden where there are fewer predators.
“Planting native plants is a good idea, as shrubs and trees attract insect-eating birds,” adds Rees. “Birds such as kingfishers and swallows not only help reduce stink bug numbers, but they also help improve biodiversity in your garden.”
If you don't already have a birdhouse or feeder in your yard, these wildlife garden ideas might be an easy weekend project to add to your summer gardening checklist. Bird feeders are available for purchase at Walmart.
Finally, Reese recommends considering soil drainage and reducing leaf accumulation to create an inhospitable environment for stink bugs. “Soil health is important,” Reese says. “Improving drainage will help minimize the chances of stink bugs reproducing in your garden.”
Buy pest control accessories
Organic Beetle Grub Control
Prevent pests from invading with this organic powder. Made from natural ingredients, this Japanese beetle pest repellent works by eating the larvae and is harmless to humans, animals or plants.
Peppermint spray for pest control
Peppermint oil can be used as a natural bug repellent and insecticide. This natural insect repellent repels pests like ants and spiders without causing any harm to you or your garden.
This bird box is perfect for attracting birds such as bluebirds to your garden. Designed in a classic style, this bird box is perfect for encouraging young birds to nest in your garden.
How to get rid of rhinoceros beetles
(Image credit: Getty Images/Helin Loik-Tomson)
Rees recommends using biological control methods to manage larval populations in the soil: “Adding nematodes or other microbial insecticides to lawn and garden borders can disrupt the pest's life cycle,” Rees says.
“Biological control is a sustainable approach to pest management and is recommended because it is effective while minimizing harm to beneficial insects and wildlife,” Rees added. Nematodes can be ordered from Walmart.
Using nematodes to control scarab beetle infestations helps “solve the problem at the source by targeting the larvae (nymphs) before they develop into adults,” Rees says. The treatment works by killing the nymphs and preventing them from becoming adults.
“For those looking for additional organic treatments to deal with diamondback moth infestations, substances like diatomaceous earth, or insecticides such as neem oil, available at Walmart, are all viable options,” Rees says.
You can also order diatomaceous earth online from Walmart.
FAQ
When is the best time to spray the nematode solution on my lawn?
If you are worried about beetles laying larvae in your lawn or garden borders, it is best to apply the nematode solution in the fall. Nematode applications are best done when the soil is warm and there is increased rainfall and rising humidity. Applying at this time will ensure that the nematodes are effective. Always follow the instructions on the back of the package and dilute as necessary.
Slugs can be a problem during the spring and summer months. However, you can minimize their damage by identifying slug infestations and effectively controlling them. For more information on pest control, check out our guide on how to get rid of slugs so you can keep these hungry pests away from your precious plants.
