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You are here: Home / How To / How to Get Rid of June Bugs

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How to Get Rid of June Bugs

Last Updated September 24, 2021 By Jena Slocum

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June bugs are pesky creatures that can invade your home and cause all sorts of trouble. They love to eat the fruits and vegetables you grow in your garden, disrupt bird feeders, and attack your flowers. If June bugs have invaded your property, it’s time to take action! 

To get rid of June bugs, the simplest solution is to make a June bug trap or apply pesticides or insecticides. These methods take minimal effort and have a big impact on the health of your lawn and yard. 

June bugs are a nuisance for many people. They come out during the first few months of June, and they can be very difficult to get rid of. This article will give you some great ideas on how to deal with June bugs. Keep reading so that you don’t have them in your yard all summer long!

How Do You Get Rid of June Bugs?

You can get rid of June bugs in a few simple ways. But you may be wondering what are June bugs? We have an answer for you.

June bugs are a catch-all term for over 300 species of beetles. Sometimes, you may also hear June bugs referred to as June beetles. 

The following are a few different ways you can work to tackle your June bug problem:

  • Attack the adults by using June bug traps
  • Avoid too much fertilizer, which creates a hotbed for June bug grubs
  • Get a grub killer
  • Make a natural repellent
  • Try insecticides as prevention and use pesticide sprays during the summer season

And since there are so many ways to get rid of June bugs, let us elaborate on each of them in a bit more detail!

So, How Do I Attack the Adult June Bugs?

To attack the adult June bugs, you can use June bug traps. Many times, people will make the traps using household items or will simply purchase them at their local lawn and garden shop.

These June bug traps work in two ways:

  • They trap and kill June bugs so they do not continue to breed
  • They attract the June bugs away from your home, reducing their population around it too

The following is a short recipe to help you make your own June bug trap:

  • Mix 1/2 cup of molasses and a 1/2 cup of water in a jar
  • Bury the jar to the rim next to an infected plant

The sticky syrup will trap and drown the adult beetles. This sweet treat may attract other animals, so be mindful when adding this homemade concoction to your yard. 

If you do not want to make a June bug trap at home, you can easily find them online or at your local home and garden center. Additionally, if the June bugs are a major problem, you can invest in some bug zappers. These can be placed outside, and June bugs will flock to them.

June bug zappers attract June bugs using ultraviolet light, which is emitted by special bulbs inside the gadget. Some models feature an internal fan that sucks nearby June bugs into a holding chamber where they are electrocuted on metal grids. The dead June bugs then drop down into another collection tray for easy disposal later. 

Other types of electronic June bug traps simply trap the insects inside via fine nets or some other type of covering so you can vacuum them up later or throw them away without touching them at all if desired.

Try Insecticides as Prevention and During the Summer Season

Insecticide sprays can be used during the summer season. In addition, you might want to consider using them preventatively before June bugs begin swarming up to your house by applying a barrier spray around your foundation. 

The best time to apply this preventative insecticide is in June or July, before the grubs have time to molt into adult beetles. 

However, please note that this type of insecticide should only be applied by a licensed pest control professional. Furthermore, always make sure you know what is being applied to your yard and what is safe for your household. 

You may choose to opt for a different pesticide if you plan to have your pets and kids rolling around in the yard all summer. Be sure to discuss these points with a professional before any work is done on your yard. 

Make a Natural June Bug Repellent

Another option you can use to get rid of June bugs is to make a homemade repellent. There are a few different recipes out there, so try them all and see which one works best for you!

The following are different repellents you can make for June bugs using household products:

  • Dish soap – You can make an easy repellent by mixing two cups of warm water with one cup of dishwashing liquid and adding eight drops of any type of essential oil (such as peppermint). Spray this solution on your bushes or around windows where you see June bugs landing. 
  • Oil and garlic – Combine one tablespoon of mineral oil with chopped garlic. Then, add water. Mix until combined, then spray on bushes or windows where June bugs land.

Buy a June Bug Grub Killer

Since oftentimes, June bug populations that are out of control cannot be diminished by taking out the adults; you must go after the grubs. The grubs are an earlier stage in a June bug’s life cycle, and they will leave holes in your lawn. 

With grubs, you may also notice the following:

  • Brown patches in your lawn
  • An increase in mole or skunk activity (as they feed on grubs)
  • An increase in dead grass

One June bug grub killer product to consider is called Merit Granules Insecticide. This June Bug grub killer can be applied all season long, and it will kill not only June bugs but also Japanese beetles, ants, crickets, and sod webworms as well! 

Decrease Your Fertilization Regiment

Healthy grass is wonderful, and you may need to fertilize your lawn to get the lush green grass you desire. However, over-fertilizing your lawn can cause excessive root growth.

The abundance of root growth leads to an outcrop of June bugs. They love the densely woven roots and will munch away on your grass. June bugs will also burrow into the roots and lay eggs.

If you make sure to decrease your fertilization regimen, June bug infestation can be reduced. 

In Summary: Getting Rid of June Bugs Is Easy

The June bug is an enemy of lush green lawns. June bugs will eat away at the grass roots, causing bare patches and other unsightly features in your yard. 

There are a few different ways you can get rid of June bugs, including making your own at-home June bug repellent and traps.

How to Get Rid of June Bugs
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Filed Under: How To, Pest

About Jena Slocum

I've been an avid DIYer since owning my first home in 2003. So much so that I apprenticed with a carpenter and then started my own carpentry business. I have built many fences, decks and pergolas for clients for the last 10 years and love sharing that knowledge with our readers.
I love taking a bare backyard and creating a beautiful space to gather with friends and family. I especially love building hardscapes like decks, pergolas and outdoor kitchens that elevate backyards into year round hangouts.

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