How to kill Japanese beetles

DENVER, Colorado — Even though Japanese beetles begin to dissipate this time of year, don't let up on them.

Try to get every last beetle before they have a chance to mate and lay eggs in your lawn and garden.

After years of mitigation efforts in my garden, we're finally seeing results. There are fewer beetles.

How to kill Japanese beetles

Use a soap spray to kill the adults still feeding in your garden. Soap is the best Earth-friendly insecticide.

Soap kills insects by dissolving their hard exoskeletons. It also gums up the beetle's wings. You must make a direct hit with the soap spray to kill them.

We use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap mixed with water in a quart spray bottle. Pour two or three tablespoons of a pure liquid soap in a quart spray bottle of water.

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