Japanese Beetle Treatment by SavATree Insects, Mites & Diseases For nearly a century, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) have caused extensive damage on landscapes throughout much of the eastern and midwestern United States, and are continuing to expand into new regions. Adults are small, about half an inch long, with a metallic green body and copper-colored wing covers, making them easy to identify during the summer months. While they may be easy to spot and remove, they can quickly damage foliage and turf if not promptly managed. Japanese beetles damage plants at two stages of their life cycle: as adults and as larvae. Their larvae, which live in the soil, feed on the turfgrass roots and cause an overall decline in lawn health. In their adult stage, these destructive insects move into the trees to feed on their leaves, flowers, and fruit. Here’s everything you should know about Japanese beetle infestations. How Japanese Beetles Damage Trees and Lawns – and What to Look For Japanese beetles cause damage in both their adult and larval stages. Adults feed on the tissue between leaf veins, creating skeletonized leaves with a lace-like appearance. Large populations can quickly strip foliage from trees, shrubs, and ornamentals, reducing photosynthesis and weakening plant health. In their larval stage, beetles live in the soil and feed on turfgrass roots, primarily in late summer and early fall. This leads to thinning grass, brown patches, and overall lawn decline. Brown patches can be a result of a wide range of insect or disease activity, so it’s important to consult with an ISA Certified Arborist for expert identification. Common signs of Japanese beetle activity include: Skeletonized leaves: Feeding damage causes leaves to develop a lace-like or transparent appearance, with only the leaf veins remaining intact. Defoliation: Adult beetles feed on leaves, flowers, and fruit, quickly stripping plants of their foliage. Reduced plant vigor: Repeated feeding weakens plants and increases susceptibility to other insects and diseases. Brown patches in lawn: Larvae feed on turfgrass roots, causing thinning grass and irregular brown patches. Repeated infestations can weaken your trees and lawn over time, making them more susceptible to stress, disease, and other insect infestations, ultimately impacting the long-term health of your landscape. Early identification and expert treatment can help minimize damage. Where and When to Look for Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles are most common in the eastern and midwestern United States, with established populations from Maine to Georgia and as far west as Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. They are also present in parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic, and their range continues to expand westward into states like Colorado and beyond. While still considered invasive in many areas, their presence is growing in regions with warm, humid summers and irrigated turf. The Japanese beetle spends most of its life as a soil grub. In the spring, as the soil warms, the grubs migrate to the surface where they briefly feed on grass roots. In late June and early July, adult beetles emerge and find their way to your trees to begin feeding on healthy leaves, causing the distinctive skeletonization of foliage. The population is highest in July but may persist well into August. Commonly Affected Plants Japanese beetles are highly polyphagous, meaning they feed on many different plant species. Some of the trees and shrubs that Japanese beetles are most attracted to include linden, crabapple, birch, Japanese maple, and fruit trees such as apple, cherry, and plum. They are also known to feed heavily on roses, wisteria, and other flowering ornamentals. Although removal isn’t typically necessary, these plants should be regularly monitored during the summer months. If you notice signs of beetle activity, it’s best to consult with an ISA Certified Arborist to determine the most effective course of action. There are several plant species Japanese beetles don’t eat, including ash, boxwood, burning bush, dogwood, holly, lilac, magnolia, northern red oak, pine, red maple, spruce, and yew. No plant is completely immune, but incorporating these more resistant varieties into your property can help lower the chances of widespread feeding damage and support long-term landscape health. SavATree’s ISA Certified Arborists can provide expert guidance on choosing the most suitable tree and shrub species for your property. How to Prevent a Japanese Beetle Infestation Catching Japanese beetles early is key to preventing widespread damage. A certified arborist can provide timely inspections of your landscape to identify signs of infestation early before significant damage occurs. Healthy trees and lawns are naturally more resilient, so proper watering, pruning, and soil care are important preventive measures. SavATree’s ISA Certified Arborists can develop a customized treatment plan to protect your landscape during peak beetle activity. Depending on the severity of the infestation, your arborist may recommend targeted foliar treatments or systemic soil applications to reduce beetle populations. By combining proactive care with targeted solutions, you can minimize damage and keep your landscape healthy throughout the season. Where to Find Japanese Beetle Treatment Near You Japanese beetle populations can grow rapidly and cause widespread damage if not managed properly. Our ISA Certified Arborists understand the lifecycle and behavior of these invasive insects and apply precise treatment strategies based on your local conditions and plant types. Whether you're dealing with grubs in your lawn or feeding adults in your trees and shrubs, we offer tailored insect and mite management solutions for trees and insect and grub management for lawns to keep your property healthy and thriving. Contact SavATree today to schedule a consultation and protect your landscape from the damaging effects of Japanese beetles. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.