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Japanese Beatles #868583

Asked May 15, 2024, 3:30 PM EDT

My family has a cabin in a wooded area of Otter Tail County, MN. We have a serious problem inside the cabin with an infestation of Japanese Beatles. The problem is persistent and increasing. Each time we arrive there we have to vacuum hundreds, if not thousands, of dead and living beatles, upstairs and downstairs. We empty the vacuum canister outside, and leave the canister outside overnight to be sure that any (most) living beatles get out. But there are immediately more that begin to emerge indoors. We have recently installed new windows and re-sided and re-roofed the entire cabin over the winter. It seems that the majority of the beatles emerge in the bathrooms (one upstairs and one downstairs), but they also accumulate in the kitchen area around large picture windows. In the past, we saw the beatles in the fall, but now they've turned into a year-round problem. Can you please provide any suggestions of how to eliminate them (short of burning the place down!)? We are desperate! Thank you for any help you can provide.

Otter Tail County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Bridget,

I've never heard of Japanese Beetles coming inside a house since they lay their eggs in the ground and need to eat roots. Are you sure you are seeing Japanese Beetles ?

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/japanese-beetle

I do not specialize in insect control but, I do know asian beetles will come in by the hundreds. You need to  around caulk around every window, any opening in your exterior and any crack in your foundation. This is the only advice I know. You could try leaving out bucket with some water as they may be attracted to moisture, fly in and drown.

Good luck,

Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 18, 2024, 7:44 AM EDT

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