If you’ve noticed shiny green beetles covering your roses or leaves that look like lace, you’re likely dealing with Japanese beetles. These invasive insects are one of the most common summer pests in Michigan and can quickly damage ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers if left untreated.
What Do Japanese Beetles Look Like?
Adult Japanese beetles are easy to recognize. They have:
- Metallic green heads
- Copper-colored wings
- Small white tufts of hair along their sides
- About ½ inch in length
They typically emerge in late June through August and feed in large groups, making damage happen quickly.
What Plants Do Japanese Beetles Eat?
Japanese beetles feed on more than 300 species of plants, but some of their favorites include:
- Roses
- Crabapple trees
- Linden trees
- Japanese maples
- Grapevines
- Birch trees
- Hibiscus
- Fruit trees
They feed on the soft tissue between leaf veins, leaving behind a “skeletonized” appearance.
Are Japanese Beetles Harmful?
While a healthy, established tree or shrub can often recover from minor feeding, heavy infestations can weaken plants, reduce flowering, and cause significant stress, especially when damage occurs year after year.
Early treatment is the best way to protect valuable landscape plants.
Should You Use Japanese Beetle Traps?
Surprisingly, no.
Although beetle traps catch thousands of insects, they often attract even more beetles to your property than they eliminate. For most homeowners, traps end up making the problem worse.
Professional Japanese Beetle Treatment in Mid-Michigan
If Japanese beetles are damaging your landscape, professional treatment is often the most effective solution.
At Garpiel Group, our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Don Churchill can inspect your property, identify the severity of the infestation, and recommend treatments that help protect your trees and shrubs throughout the growing season.
Whether you’re seeing damage on a single rose bush or several mature trees, we’ll help determine the best course of action.
Serving Mid-Michigan
Garpiel Group proudly provides professional tree and shrub care, Japanese beetle treatments, and arborist services throughout:
- Saginaw
- Bay City
- Midland
- Frankenmuth
- Freeland
- Auburn
- Essexville
- Birch Run
- Sanford
- Or the state of Michigan
If you’re noticing Japanese beetle damage on your property, don’t wait until the leaves are gone. Contact Garpiel Group today to schedule an inspection with our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and keep your landscape healthy all season long.