Arboretum Rose bushes have no Asian Bettles! - Ask Extension
Last year at the Arboretum MN, I asked staff what they put on the rose bushes as the Asian Beetles didn't destroy them as they did mine. They didn't k...
Knowledgebase
Arboretum Rose bushes have no Asian Bettles! #903499
Asked May 29, 2025, 4:26 PM EDT
Last year at the Arboretum MN, I asked staff what they put on the rose bushes as the Asian Beetles didn't destroy them as they did mine. They didn't know, but encouraged me to ask the Master gardeners as they handle that. So, I sure would like to know how to allow my rose bushes to bloom, and not have the Asian Beetles eat them up, what do you use? Thank you :)
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
Do you mean Japanese Beetles, Asian Lady Beetles or ? This question is answered assuming Japanese Beetles.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles
https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/fact-sheets/scarab-beetle-japanese-oriental-asiatic-garden-beetles#:~:text=Asiatic%20Garden%20Beetles%20are%20about,damage%20without%20seeing%20the%20beetles.
Scroll down to Japanese Beetles for these two web pages.
https://extension.illinois.edu/roses/managing-diseases-and-pests?utm_source
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-insects-related-pests/?utm_source
Good cultural practices can help protect your roses. Ensure that they are well-watered, properly spaced for air circulation, and kept clean of debris, which can harbor pests.
For smaller infestations, handpicking beetles and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water can be effective. Do this in the morning when beetles are less active.
While Japanese beetle traps can catch and reduce beetle numbers, they are often more effective if placed away from the plants you want to protect. Traps can attract more beetles to the vicinity if placed too close.
Consider using fine netting or fabric over your plants to physically exclude the beetles from reaching the blooms. Be sure to remove it when the blooms are ready to open.
If infestations are significant, there are insecticides available. Popular options include products with bifenthrin, permethrin, and neem oil. Always apply these according to instructions and consider their impact on beneficial insects.
Promoting a diverse garden can help attract natural predators to control beetle populations.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles
https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/vegetable/fact-sheets/scarab-beetle-japanese-oriental-asiatic-garden-beetles#:~:text=Asiatic%20Garden%20Beetles%20are%20about,damage%20without%20seeing%20the%20beetles.
Scroll down to Japanese Beetles for these two web pages.
https://extension.illinois.edu/roses/managing-diseases-and-pests?utm_source
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-insects-related-pests/?utm_source
Good cultural practices can help protect your roses. Ensure that they are well-watered, properly spaced for air circulation, and kept clean of debris, which can harbor pests.
For smaller infestations, handpicking beetles and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water can be effective. Do this in the morning when beetles are less active.
While Japanese beetle traps can catch and reduce beetle numbers, they are often more effective if placed away from the plants you want to protect. Traps can attract more beetles to the vicinity if placed too close.
Consider using fine netting or fabric over your plants to physically exclude the beetles from reaching the blooms. Be sure to remove it when the blooms are ready to open.
If infestations are significant, there are insecticides available. Popular options include products with bifenthrin, permethrin, and neem oil. Always apply these according to instructions and consider their impact on beneficial insects.
Promoting a diverse garden can help attract natural predators to control beetle populations.
