this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2025
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I've ordered some creeping thyme seeds because that attracts tachinid flies to help control them but was wondering if there are other plants that are both good for the cherry tree while also combating japanese beetles?

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[โ€“] rayyy@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Japanese beetles are welcome at my garden. I need a few every year to keep the milky spore active. I put it on my lawn many years ago and only see a handful every year since. Beetle traps are great for increasing Japanese beetle populations - they are attracted to the traps and many fall to the ground and lay their eggs. Japanese beetles also attract moles and skunks.
A nearby town had a mole problem - the moles were eating beetle grubs in lawns - homeowners used poison peanuts to get rid of the moles - boom, BIG skunk invasion.

Milky spore is definitely the way to go for long-term beetle control - I applied it to my yard three years ago and have seen like a 90% reduction in japanese beetles, you just need to be patient since it takes 2-3 seasons to fully establish in the soil.