Japanese beetles, also known as jitterbugs can wreak havoc on both your lawn and garden plants. The larvae, which are small white grubs, can be found in the soil, where they eat the roots of grass and other plants, therefore destroying the plants from the bottom up.http://www.ehow.com/how_5091617_rid-japanese-beetles-organic-methods.html The adult beetles are relatively small beetles, metallic green or bronze in colors, that feed on the leaves of hundreds of different species of plants. They eat the leaf "flesh" around the veins, resulting in so-called "transparent" or "skeletonized" leaves.http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles/ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/japanese-beetle-control-how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.html

In their native land of Japan, the Japanese beetle is not considered a destructive or harmful pests, since natural predators keep their numbers in check.http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles/ However, since the species was introduced to New Jersey in the early 20th century, the bugs have since spread a destructive path across much of the United States.http://www.ehow.com/how_5091617_rid-japanese-beetles-organic-methods.html

If you notice evidence of either the grubs and/or adult pests in your yard or garden, you'll likely want to take steps to get rid of them as soon as possible. They can reproduce quickly and do considerable damage to grass and most common garden plants.http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles/ Luckily, there are several steps you can take in order to get rid of both the larval and adult beetles before they become a major problem. To learn how to get rid of Japanese Beetles, read on.

Regardless of whether or not you have observed Japanese beetles on your property, you may want to consider using milky spore to kill any grubs that may be living in the soil, and also prevent many other species of grubs from congregating and damaging your yard. Unlike some other pesticides and more aggressive methods of pest control, milky spore is all natural, and will not harm any of your garden plants, or beneficial garden bugs, such as earthworms and ladybugs. Milky spore is not poisonous to humans or pets.

Milky spore is a bacteria that is available at most home and garden stores. It is a powder that you spread throughout your yard and garden, either using a manual spreader or a mechanical drop spreader. Once applied, it will remain effective for 10-15 years. When the grubs ingest it, the bacteria grow and multiply inside the grubs, eventually killing them. After the grubs die, they release the bacteria back into the soil, therefore spreading more milky spore throughout your yard.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz_EUeeUhsM http://www.ehow.com/how_5091617_rid-japanese-beetles-organic-methods.html

Another natural and environmentally-safe method of getting rid of Japanese beetle larvae is to use grub-killing nematodes. However, you will likely need at least two, if not several nematode applications to kill all the grubs. You can also try allowing your lawn to become quite dry between waterings, therefore dehydrating the grubs. However, this method could potentially damage your grass as well.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/japanese-beetle-control-how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.html

Especially if you live in an area or neighborhood that is known to have a Japanese beetle problem, you may also want to consider making your property an undesirable place for the bugs to settle and feed in. There are several ways you can do this.

1. Attract birds to your yard: Many bird species, including robins, cardinals, blue jays, and starlings will feed on either or both the larval and adult beetles.http://www.pestexterminator.com/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles/ Get yourself a few bird feeders and keep them well stocked with birdseed or suet and/or bird bath to attract these natural pest controllers to your yard.
2. Use netting: If you have large groups of plants that are vulnerable to a Japanese beetle attack, you may want to consider draping plant netting over them. Japanese beetles usually attack a plant and then eat it from the top down, and also leave a trail of pheromones that attract other beetles to the plants. The netting will prevent the beetles from landing on the plants in your garden, and they will likely move on to a more accessible food source.http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.htm
3. Plant selection: There are several species of plants that will either poison Japanese beetles, or that the bugs tend to avoid. Placing these plants near those that the beetles eat can help reduce or eliminate Japanese beetles in your yard. Plants to consider for this purpose include:

• Buckeyes
• Castor beans
• Geraniums
• Larkspurhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/japanese-beetle-control-how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.html
• Garlichttp://dkmommyspot.com/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles-naturally/
• Most types of evergreen
• Lilacs
• Snapdragons
• Begoniashttp://www.ehow.com/how_5091617_rid-japanese-beetles-organic-methods.html
• Carnations
• Lilies
• Nasturtiumhttp://www.pestexterminator.com/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles/

If preventative or discouraging measures haven't worked, and you notice either the evidence of Japanese beetles in your garden, or see the bugs themselves, take steps to get rid of them as soon as possible. To avoid harming beneficial bugs that may be in your yard and releasing harmful chemicals into the ecosystem, use a chemical pesticide as a last resort, and try some of the more environmentally friendly bug elimination methods first.

1. Pick the beetles off by hand: This may sound like a time-consuming way to get rid of pests, but if the infestation isn't severe, it can be an effective way to eliminate Japanese beetles in your yard. Simply fill up a bucket with some soapy water, and then head out to your yard in the morning, when the beetles are cold and slow-moving. You can likely pick them up by hand, or shake the leaves while holding the bucket beneath, and drown them in the soapy water.http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KJDiJRwVPs
2. Spray leaves with a garlic solution. Simply place some garlic powder or a few cloves of crushed garlic into a spray bottle, fill it with water, and then spray the leaves of the infested plants. Japanese beetles have an aversion to the smell and taste of garlic, so they will avoid plants that have been sprayed with the garlic solution. This method will not kill the beetles, it simply discourages them from congregating in your yard and eating your plants.http://www.ehow.com/how_5091617_rid-japanese-beetles-organic-methods.html http://dkmommyspot.com/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles-naturally/
3. Use Neem oil: Derived from the Neem tree, neem oil is available at most home and garden stores, and both kills the bugs on contact and coating plants with a solution that is distasteful to Japanese beetles.http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-japanese-beetles.htm