You may see European chafer beetles in your yard in June. Because they tend to be more visible this time of year, they are often called June bugs.
Now is the time to take action to keep your lawn healthy and reduce potential damage from the beetles.
What are chafer beetles and why should I care?
Crows, raccoons and other animals may severely damage lawns looking for chafer beetle grubs.
The European chafer beetle is a serious lawn pest that is spreading and causing lots of problems throughout the Seattle area. The chafer beetle “could pose the biggest threat in nearly half a century to turf grass lawns and athletic fields in the Pacific Northwest,” according to The Seattle Times.
Many birds and other animals find the grubs to be a tasty treat. People describe lawns that crows have ripped to shreds while looking for beetle larvae.
Chafer beetles appear to be more of a problem on lawns that are dry, thin and unhealthy. If you keep your lawn healthy, it should help prevent chafer beetles from invading and help restore any damage if they do invade.
What happens in June?
In June the beetles swarm into trees or shrubs to mate. This often happens at night, so you may not see much evidence of the beetles. After they mate, female beetles tunnel down beneath the grass and lay up to 50 eggs.
The eggs hatch about two weeks later, and grubs start feeding. Beetle grubs live underground through fall and winter, feeding on grass roots and damaging turf.
Managing chafer beetles: what you can do now
It is very important to take steps to keep your lawn healthy through the summer.
Mow higher
Raise your mower height to 2-1/2 to 3 inches. Higher grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation. And mulch mowing is a good idea. It feeds the lawn, reducing fertilizer needs.
Summer watering is critical
Your lawn needs one inch or more each week. Water deeply to encourage deep rooting and reduce drought stress. It is best to water once or twice a week rather than daily. Watering frequency depends on whether you have clay or sandy soil.
Consider treatment with Grub B Gone later in summer
This biological control product (it is BTG, or Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae) is safe for people and pets. The active ingredient – a live, soil-borne organism – is released down into the soil and root zone where grubs live. As grubs eat plant roots, they also ingest the active ingredient, effectively putting a stop to them and their destruction.
Grub B Gone can be an effective product if used correctly. It is applied with a fertilizer spreader, and the lawn must be watered deeply after application so it penetrates the root zone.
We don’t recommend applying chemicals to treat chafer beetles. Even if the chemicals are “naturally” derived, they can kill worms and beneficial insects.
Find out more
Managing chafer beetles can be tough. This pest is a big deal for Northwest lawns. Here is an infographic that summarizes how to manage chafer beetles at different times of the year.
For more details, look at our blog posts about chafer beetles.
- Life cycle of the chafer beetle
- How to manage chafer beetles: what to do in March
- Managing chafer beetles: what to do in September
We can help
We can help keep your lawn healthy so you can prevent chafer beetles from invading and help restore damage. Here is more information about our natural lawn, tree and shrub care services. Contact us to talk with our staff about any questions and sign up for services.
