June is the time that we commonly see beetles emerging from the ground in adult form. There are several types of beetles that are common to Northern and Central Ohio, all in the Scarab beetle family: Japanese beetles, Chafer beetle, Green June beetles and Ten-Line June beetles. Today, we'll look at their life cycles, and what can be done to treat them and prevent them, through each stage.

Adult Stage - Instead of moving chronologically through the beetle life cycle, we'll start with the cycle that we are in now! Starting in June, adult beetles crawl out of the yard, and start feasting on many types of plants and ornamentals, leaving skeletonized leaves. Fruit and foliage may be protected from damage by spraying insecticides at regular intervals when beetles first cause unacceptable injury. Because sprayed trees can be reinvaded, they should be inspected weekly when adults are present.

Egg Stage - In July, beetles start mating and laying eggs. They will munch on your plants all day, and at night, return to the soil, where each beetle can lay as many as 60 eggs. During this stage, it's best to continue treating and killing adult beetles as you see them. In addition to using insecticides, keep in mind - it may seem inconsequential to pick off one or two beetles as you fish them out of your pool or when they land on your screens at night - but nabbing two bugs now can prevent 120 potential offspring from emerging in 1-3 years, depending on the species!

Feeding Stage - Around August, the beetle eggs hatch, and the grubs, which are underground now, feed heavily on turf grass roots. 

These grubs continue feeding through the middle of October, and can cause extensive damage! You can start combating the feeding grub stage NOW, in mid-June! Grub preventative can be applied to your lawn now, and it will dissolve, be absorbed into the roots of your turf grass, and will be lying in wait to deliver a lethal blow to the grubs, when they start to feed in late Summer through mid-Fall!

Grub damage can be identified by large dead patches in your lawn. These patches can be pulled up and away from the soil like a carpet or rug, because the grubs have destroyed the underlying  turf grass root system. Additionally, animals like skunks love to eat grubs, and will tear up your yard hunting for a tasty snack. This compounds your headache, and the destruction of your lawn can seem to happen overnight!

Dormant Stage - After they've finished their smorgasbord on your grass roots, beetle grubs will burrow deep underground, sometimes as deep as 12 inches, to survive the Winter cold. Here they rest and store energy. Some beetles will remain dormant for several years, while others will emerge in just a few short months.

Pupa Stage - From April to June, grubs awake and rise closer to the soil surface. They form a type of cocoon, similar to a caterpillar, and transform into an adult beetle, which will emerge from the ground, and repeat the cycle we've just discussed.

BREAK THE WHITE GRUB LIFE CYCLE!

The most important takeaway here is that grub prevention is the key to a beautiful, healthy lawn. And given the potential for extensive damage and expensive repair, this grub prevention is one lawn care task that might best be left to the professionals! Weed Pro offers a 100% guarantee on our Grub Preventative Control, meaning after we've treated for grubs in the Summer, if you should happen to have grubs in the Fall, we will treat them at our cost - we like to think of it as "Grub Insurance"! Click below to contact us for a free estimate on grub control!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!