japanese beetles

[Brooke Atkinson]

Does anyone know a safe natural way to get rid of japanese beetles? They are killing my blackberry and blueberry bushes.

[Sofia T]

my roses too. I went to the closest nursery a week ago and they gave me something "the most safe", I don't even remember the name it's in the shedd. Next morning I started reading directions and got so scared I had to go back. Questions, phone calls they ended this was the safest solution. I haven't tried it and don't think I ever will. If anyone could recommend anything.. Brooke, please if you find anything let me know, my roses are dying.
thanks

[Brooke Atkinson]

I have gotten this link. http://www.ghorganics.com/JapaneseBeetle.html

[Sofia T]

Brooke, would you try this?
Bug Juice spray: If you can handle it this is supposed to work. Harvest about 1 cup of beetles, put them in an old blender and liquefy them. Thin this with enough water to make it pass through a sprayer. Spray it on any plants they victimize. NOTE: If you make this out of beetles infected with the milky spore disease you will actually infect more grubs with the disease. So...if you can handle it give it a try
yuck, I couldn't ...
If you try anything and have success please let me know

[Francie]

I have been knocking them into a bucket of soapy water twice a day, using a fly swatter. I also dab a blob of soap on their eggs when I see them. I like the idea of the sheets on the ground first - I think fewer will get away, and you can shake the plant and grab them up right away and dump them in the soapy water.

I just bought the bag of Milky Spore. The bag says apply 3 times a year. The guy at Renfrow's says you'll see a difference as early as a few months.

I think if I were really worried about the grubs around the roots because my plant was dying, I would try to dig up the ground around the roots and kill them by hand. I don't have that worry, because they are in my large vegetable garden, and they are not affecting my harvest at all.

In my experience, taking the time and trouble to grind up their little bodies to use as a spray is just not worth it. I don't think it works.