Methods for controlling cockchafer larvae in the garden

In this article, we'll discuss effective ways to combat cockchafer larvae in your garden. These larvae are a scourge for gardeners because they're quite difficult to get rid of. Furthermore, their presence can only be detected by digging the soil.

In spring, cockchafers, or May beetles, appear when the first new leaves are already sprouting on trees, especially birches. This is their favorite food, although, of course, they won't refuse anything that might be growing in the garden at this time. After mating, a single female lays about seventy eggs and then immediately dies.

In appearance, the larvae resemble white worms. They pose no danger during the first year, as they feed only on plant debris. However, if the larvae are not eliminated during this period, they will become a real pest the following year, devouring everything in the garden.

Alternatively, you can skip the hassle and simply go to the store to purchase a ready-made insecticide against soil pests, including cockchafer larvae. These include products such as Aktara, Zemlin, Bazudin, and others. When purchasing such a product, it's important to follow all storage instructions to ensure its effectiveness.

Also note that killing females, or adults, will significantly reduce the number of larvae in the soil. So, you can specifically target females to reduce the overall May beetle population in your garden. About effective ways to get rid of moles at the summer cottage.

A simple trap

Alternatively, you can make a trap to kill adult beetles. Take a basin or other large container and treat it with any adhesive. For example, use grease, or line the basin with fly tape. Place a flashlight or other light-emitting device in the center.

All that's left to do is set the trap under a tree overnight. The light will attract the insects when it gets dark, and they'll stick to the trap. In the morning, all you need to do is kill the May beetles completely.

Treat trap

May beetles are often attracted to sweet treats, so you can set traps around your property using plastic cups filled with jam or kvass. These traps can also be hung on trees. All you have to do is check the traps daily to promptly remove any unlucky beetles. Watch a helpful video on the topic. How to treat onions against pests.

Plants that repel

May beetles, like other insects, have a natural intolerance to certain odors. Therefore, to repel them from your garden, you can plant elderberries and lupines. You can also safely plant any cruciferous plants, such as turnips or rutabaga.

You can watch a video accompanying this article for a wealth of information on how to control May beetle larvae in your garden. Gardeners report that larvae are much more difficult to control than adult beetles. Therefore, to reduce the population, it's best to target the females. Remember that May beetle larvae are found deep in the soil, and you'll only notice them in your garden if you dig up the soil.

Important! When choosing a specific method for getting rid of these insects, it's important to consider that the extermination work will be carried out in the garden. This means there are crops nearby whose fruits you will soon eat. Therefore, avoid adding chemicals to the soil that are not suitable for this purpose or spraying the trees with compounds that could later settle on the fruit and cause harm if eaten. Read the tips on: How to get rid of a mole cricket folk remedies.

Be prepared for the fact that dealing with cockchafer larvae in your garden isn't as simple as it seems. It's possible that a single method won't work right away, and you'll need to combine different approaches to at least reduce the pest population over the course of the season, and at best, get rid of them completely and permanently.