The insects known as June bugs are completely safe and won’t hurt you or your pets. However, they do tend to come in loud, bothersome swarms. Don’t bother picking up the dead bugs from your porch every morning. Additionally, if you are a gardener, they may really muck up your yard. In that case, you undoubtedly want to know how to get rid of June bugs.
The issue is that if you appreciate your backyard, you presumably like to have pets, children, or even wildlife come and play in it. That means you need all-natural methods of removing June bugs.
In that case, the following guide will help. I’ll walk you through 9 all-natural strategies to get rid of June bugs once and for all and prevent their recurrence. We’ll also examine the precise factors that draw the June bugs into your garden. I’ll also explain why you shouldn’t utilize certain methods to get rid of June bugs.
9 natural ways to get rid of June bugs
When you know how, getting rid of June bugs is rather simple. These techniques are all simple to use.
While one approach might be effective for you, you’ll be more successful if you use several. That’s because some of these techniques are preventative, while others are therapeutic.
Use them together, and you’ll be able to get rid of your June bug infestation right now and keep them away in the future.
1. Use A Trap
Catching June bugs in a trap is one of the easiest ways to get rid of them from your yard.
The June bugs that are scurrying about can be caught in a trap. The greatest places to utilize these are where there are lots of Jue bugs.
The plan is to lure the June bug into the trap so that it will be helpless to escape.
You may put up June bug traps in your yard in two different ways.
a. Ready Made Beetle Traps
For your yard, you can purchase pre-made beetle traps.
These are the most popular beetle traps available for purchase and placement in your yard. They use a scented lure to draw the bugs.
These traps are practical, simple to put up, and effective at catching a lot of beetles. Because you just seal up the back and throw it away, they also reduce your interaction with the beetles.
The issue is that you must change these bags every 4-5 days to prevent the beetles from smelling the dead bugs. The bags can occasionally be damaged by creatures like raccoons or skinks trying to get to the beetles within.
b. DIY June Bug Trap
You can create your own homemade bug trap to save money. Mason jars or milk jugs that have been filled with a substance that captures June bugs might be used for this.
The following are ideas for a homemade June bug trap:
- Soap for dishes and water (to drown the bugs)
- To make the bugs sticky, use molasses.
- Oil to keep them from taking flight
2. Collect by hand
Collecting any June bugs that are readily apparent by hand is one quick approach to get rid of them.
Because June bugs are slow and awkward, you can easily trap them.
June bugs don’t bite, so don’t be alarmed. Use a glove, though, if you can, when doing this. Just in case you misidentify a June beetle as another bug and get stung or bitten.
The beetles can be put into a jug of hot, soapy water once you’ve caught them. The beetles will perish as a result.
The June bugs might be seen buzzing around your plants or on leaf surfaces.
My recommendation is to begin doing this as soon as you notice adult bugs in May or early June. This is due to the fact that as soon as the adults emerge from the ground, they will begin to lay eggs.
The female will bury fewer eggs in your soil if you can capture the adults. It’s a fantastic strategy for future population control.
3. Use Beneficial Nematodes
A effective approach to stop the female beetle from laying eggs is to remove the adult insects. However, what about the existing eggs?
That might not seem to be an issue. But before becoming adults, June beetle grubs can survive underground for a year or two. They consume the roots of whatever they come into contact with during that period.
In other words, even if you start getting rid of the adult bugs, you can still have an infestation for the following two years.
Applying helpful nematodes to your soil is the most effective strategy to combat subsurface June bugs. These are the most popular brand on Amazon and sell out quickly.
Parasitic roundworms are called beneficial nematodes. They go after June bugs when they are still in the soil. It will take 2-4 weeks to eradicate the June grubs using this strategy.
This is a gentler, more eco-friendly substitute for toxic chemical insecticides. Furthermore, these parasites primarily injure dangerous soil-dwelling insects. Earthworms and other beneficial organisms are not attacked by the nematodes.
If you have pets, it’s okay to utilize helpful nematodes. even if the powder gets inside your cat or dog. At temperatures higher than 86°F (30°C), the nematodes perish. The interior body temperature of your pet is substantially warmer than this.
When the soil is over 52 °F (11 °C) but below 86 °F (30 °C), you can apply beneficial nematodes to it. Depending on the state you live in, spring and fall are the greatest times.
4. Use Bacterial control
If employing parasites to control June bugs in your soil doesn’t appeal to you, how about using natural bacteria?
A biological insecticide is called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Numerous insect grubs, including June Bugs, are killed by it. Normally, it takes the grubs two to three days to die off.
This brand has the highest internet ratings if this sounds like a good solution for you.
It’s safe to use around people and pets, just like the helpful nematodes. Using Bt won’t also cause harm to worms or birds.
It’s crucial to be informed that applying Bt in your yard could affect the butterfly population. This is as a result of the caterpillar-attacking bacterium.
Contrast Bt with the bacterium known as milky spores to avoid confusion. The distinction between the two is that milky spores only affect the Japanese beetle species, a particular form of June beetle (Popillia japonica). As a result, the grub produced by other beetles won’t be impacted.
All varieties of June beetles can be eliminated by Bacillus thuringiensis, which is far more efficient.
5. Spread diatomaceous earth
This approach may appeal to you if the idea of killing June beetles using germs or parasites doesn’t.
Diatomaceous earth is made up of angular bits of dust. By absorbing the oils and fats the grubs require to survive, it causes the grub to dry out. The process is sped up by the jagged edges.
The greatest places to employ diatomaceous earth are in or near grassy or plant-filled areas. This is due to the likelihood that the June bug grubs will emerge from these locations after consuming the roots.
You may utilize diatomaceous earth quite simply by sprinkling it on top of the current soil.
The issue is that getting rid of the grubs can often be hit or miss. This is due to the fact that you must be prepared for the June bug season. Furthermore, diatomaceous earth must be dry in order to function, therefore you must reapply it after any period of rain. It might be advisable to pass on this option if you reside in a state that experiences excessive rainfall.
Most garden stores have diatomaceous earth. However, it’s simple to purchase it online (this is an Amazon bestseller).
6. Regular Lawn maintenance
An excellent technique to get rid of bugs right now is to remove adult beetles and use treatments. But if you take care of your grass on a regular basis, you’ll get better outcomes.
Making your yard as uninviting as possible is the goal. for the grubs to reside underground and for the female to lay eggs.
During June bug season, keep your lawn at least 3 inches tall. This is due to the females’ preference for nesting in locations with short grass. They won’t lay their eggs there if the grass is longer.
Raking your lawn on a regular basis will aid in thatch removal. And it will make any June bug grubs that emerge vulnerable to predators. Focus more of your efforts on the regions that appear to be yellowing because it is probably where the grubs are.
As often as you can, try to clear your yard of fallen fruit, leaf piles, and grass clippings. All of these will entice adult June bugs to congregate in your yard and tempt them to lay eggs.
7. Change the Light
Since they are nocturnal, June bugs only appear at night. Despite this, at night they are drawn to sources of strong light. That includes window lighting, security lighting, and porch lighting.
The good news is that you can employ this behavior at night to drive away June bugs.
The first and simplest solution is to make every effort to minimize light pollution in your yard. This entails closing the curtains and limiting the amount of light that the June bugs can receive.
Of course, you might still require lighting outside your house at night.
The good news is that you can get bulbs that don’t appeal to June bugs as much.
Choose light bulbs with a yellowish tint. Since June bugs have poor vision in the red-yellow spectrum, they perceive this light as being drab.
The alternative to incandescent light bulbs is LED lighting. The reason for this is that LED bulbs don’t emit UV light, which bugs find attractive. Additionally, LED lights don’t produce as much heat, which can draw June bugs.
The Feit Electric bulbs are ideal for protecting your porch lighting from June bugs.
8. Use Smells
Using scents that June bugs dislike is one of the most natural and simple ways to get rid of them. These can be sprayed in the vicinity of June bug gathering spots to help keep them out of your yard. Let’s examine the various odors you might employ to keep June bugs out of your yard.
a. Essential oils
Using the essential oils you already have lying around your house, you can create your own homemade bug spray for June. June bugs abhor the following essential oils:
- Cajuput
- Catnip
- Cedar
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Citrus grass
- Chai tree
Combine 1 tablespoon of a mineral base, 30 drops of one of these oils, or a combination of them, with water (or vinegar) in a spray bottle. Then spray the damaged regions all around. The June bugs will be kept at bay by this mixture’s potency.
b. Plants
If you have a green thumb, you might choose to add plants to your yard that naturally ward off June bugs. June bugs don’t like a few plants because of their overpowering scents. Boxelder bugs and other pest insects can be deterred by these.
Plant these to ward against June bugs:
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Mint
However, you might need to be selective about the plants you choose to ward off June bugs. Some plants could cause your yard to get infested with undesirable insects, such as rosemary beetles.
c. Foods
A simple and inexpensive approach to take care of your yard is to make homemade June bug repellant from kitchen scraps. If you see that June bugs are congregating around window frames, you can also make a food “wash” to apply there.
Food scraps should not be left out in the yard since they could draw bugs or rats.
June bugs don’t like the following food aromas:
- Garlic
- Lime
- Clove
- Cinnamon
These can also be useful for controlling other pests, such ants.
9. Attract wildlife
One of my most favorite strategies to keep June bugs at bay is to encourage their natural predators to your yard.
The easiest way to do this is by attracting grubs and beetle-eating birds such as:
- Owls
- Crows
- Grackles
- Jays, blue
- Cardinals
Installing a bird feeder and a birdbath in your yard will encourage them. This promotes the natural regulation of the ecosystem. Additionally, it offers young birds a fantastic food supply for survival.
You can entice animal predators to your yard such as:
- Frogs
- Snakes
- Spiders
- venomous wasps
Other creatures take pleasure in consuming June grubs. However, luring these creatures to your yard could be just as annoying as the pests. This comprises:
- Raccoons
- Opossum
- Moles
- Voles
Just be aware that if your June bug problem is severe and out of control, these creatures may enter your yard to feast on them.
What attracts June bugs?
Like the majority of insects, June bugs are drawn to favorable habitats and food sources. With those, they may easily complete their life cycle and reproduce to preserve the species.
Therefore, you’ll draw a lot of June bugs to your yard if you have the following items there:
- dazzling night lights
- Plants, grass, and fruit
- Roses
The issue is that, if left uncontrolled, a few June bugs in your yard can quickly evolve into many June bugs. Because other June bugs are aware that it is a rich source of food and habitat for them. Additionally, they can mate with a lot of different June bugs.
In order to prevent June bugs from becoming out of control, it is important to deal with them as soon as you notice any in your yard.
What is the fastest way to get rid of June bugs?
Picking up and removing adult June bugs from your plants is the quickest approach to get rid of them.
The quickest approach to get rid of June bug grubs is to spray your soil with Bacillus thuringiensis.
These techniques can swiftly eliminate an infestation. The June bug might not stay gone for very long, though, if your neighbors are also having problems with them. Try to get your neighbor to also treat their June bug infestation if that occurs.
You can share with them the guidance you learned from this manual.
How Not To Get Rid Of June Bugs (4 Ways)
Nine all-natural strategies to get rid of June bugs from your yard have already been covered.
There is a ton of information on how to get rid of June bugs, but not all of it is helpful.
You may have observed that the main list does not include a few techniques that other manuals recommend.
That’s because these aren’t the greatest techniques. Let’s examine what they are and the reasons I don’t suggest them.
1. Bug zapper lights
Bug-zapping lights have been spotted before. It’s the blue lights hanging outside that are buzzing and flashing. Then, when an enchanted bug approaches by itself, it shocks it with electricity.
Don’t get me wrong; bug zappers work incredibly well.
The issue is that cleaning up a lot of dead bugs from your porch every morning if you have a lot of June bugs in your yard during the summer.
Even if you get one with a bug-catching tray, you’ll still need to routinely wipe up the dead bugs.
That’s OK if it works for you, but there are simpler approaches available, so it sounds like a lot of work.
2. Insecticides
This should be the one thing you remember from this article.
To get rid of June bugs, avoid using harsh chemical insecticides.
Pesticides pose a serious threat to the ecology and the local fauna.
If you have dogs or birds visiting your yard, avoid using insecticides. You run the danger of contaminating them with the toxic residue left by the insecticides.
It’s not worth the risk and might potentially endanger the local bird population.
Large June bug infestations are typically managed using insecticides. You should wait out the season, in my opinion. Then, to fight the eggs and grubs underground, employ a biological strategy such as advantageous nematodes.
3. Glue traps
You may have seen sticky tape or insect glue traps that capture and trap June bugs.
Use of these insect traps should be avoided since they pose a serious threat to birds and other wildlife that enter your yards.
Other animals and birds are drawn to the trapped insects. Then, the creatures risk becoming stuck.
Other creatures include snakes, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and bats are killed or injured by glue traps.
4. Neem oil
Another all-natural June bug repellent that you can buy online is neem oil.
Neem oil shouldn’t be used to get rid of June bugs in your yard, in my opinion. Neem oil can be dangerous to bees who visit your yard, not because it doesn’t function.
Because bees are such beneficial insects, you should try to do everything in your power to ensure that their populations remain healthy.
Neem oil is not harmful, but if used improperly, it can be lethal to bees. Azadirachtin, the active component, can lead to confusion and have an impact on the hive.
To avoid getting into close contact with any bees, neem oil should only be applied at specific times of the day.
I would choose these over using neem oil because they are much simpler alternatives that won’t damage bees.
Other related questions
When do June bugs go away?
Once the ladies have laid their eggs, the adult June bug population will begin to decline at the beginning of the fall.
Therefore, from the time the grubs begin to emerge from the soil in the fall until May, you won’t see any June bugs.
Even if you can endure the June bug season, you will still experience the same issue the following year. Since all of those eggs will eventually hatch into adult June bugs.
What keeps the June bugs away?
Regular lawn maintenance is the best defense against June bugs. As a result, the grubs cannot finish their life cycle. After that, you can use diatomaceous earth, spray Bacillus thuringiensis, or add beneficial nematodes. This will guarantee that any grubs already present do not reach adulthood.
It is naive to believe that these treatments will completely eradicate June bugs. The adults can be controlled, though, to keep them from laying eggs in your yard.
Encourage your neighbors to take action against their June bug infestations as well. In this manner, you avoid having to deal with the repercussions year after year.
Final thoughts
You may get rid of June bugs from your yard using a variety of natural methods. Simple strategies include employing fragrances that repel them and making your yard less appealing by blocking the light. These fixes might be effective in the short run.
It is necessary to get rid of the adults and deal with the underground grubs if you want a lasting fix. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to solve the issue.
If you just implement these recommendations, your June bug problem will start to go away year after year.
FAQ
How do you get rid of a June bug infestation?
Pour one-half cup of molasses and one-half cup of boiling water into an empty milk jug or large jar, cover it, and vigorously shake to draw in and efficiently drown June bugs. Bury the open jar with the neck sticking out of the dirt close to rose bushes or other plants that the pests enjoy.
Why do I have so many June bugs in my yard?
Why do June bugs appear? The grubs themselves are more common on lawns with a lot of thatch, and June bugs will be more common if your grass has a significant grub infestation. Additionally, they can be more common in an environment with heavy chemical use.
Where do June bugs go after summer?
The female June bug will dig a hole in the ground to lay her eggs after mating. Depending on the species, these eggs develop into larva, also known as “white grubs,” which spend 1-4 years living underground. The grubs eat soil roots while they are underground.
How long do June bugs stay around?
June bugs have a lifespan of 2-4 years. The majority of the June bugs’ life is spent underground as a grub. June bugs can be found as grubs for one to three years. June bugs only have a brief lifespan of less than a year once they become adults.
What months are June bugs out?
June bugs earned their name because they are primarily active in the summer, especially between May and July. You could notice some damage to your lawn over the summer, and June bugs are probably to blame.