Killing Japanese Beetles?

Question

I have a small orchard that has been devastated by these horrible creatures.

I have put up beetle bags and next year plan on raising some guinea fowl, but what can I do to make my orchard undesirable to them in the first place?

Answer 1

Our local extension service recommends against beetle traps unless you put them far away from what you are trying to protect, because they attract more beetles.  A landscaper told me that he uses Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control on trees that are valuable.  It protects against Japanese beetles for about a year.  It is fairly expensive to use, so he only treats some trees.  It is a systemic, so you put it around the root zone to be absorbed by the roots.

Answer 2

You should not have put the beetle bags in your orchard. They attract them. You should have gone a mile away and hung them in a woods, or field.  Away from your orchard.