June Bugs 101: What Are June Bugs?
If you have spent a night out on your porch and have noticed large bugs flying toward light sources, then you are likely dealing with some June bugs on your property. Located in most areas of North America, especially in warmer climates, these beetles can cause damage to your lawn and can be an overall nuisance during the summer months.
Guide To June Bugs – What Homeowners Need to know
June bugs are beetles with the genus Phyllophaga with over 300 different species. In North America alone, there are over 100 types of June bugs. They are plant eaters, and they are often attracted to light, so you might see them flying haphazardly toward your window or a light bulb during the night in the summer.
The reason they are called June bugs is that after incubating during the spring, they emerge from the soil in late May and early June. This is why they are sometimes also called May bugs depending where in the country you are located.
What do June bugs look like?
Depending on the species, June bugs can look a little different. You’ll find that their colors range from a reddish brown to a dark black. They are large at almost an inch long, and you are most likely to find them in your lawn. However, they only feed at night, which can make it difficult to determine whether or not you might have an infestation.
Types of June bugs
While there are many different species of June bug, there are two that are most common in North America.
Common June bug
The common June bug can be tough to identify since they do not have any markings on their bodies, but they do have a hairy underbelly. Ranging from mahogany to black, they are attracted to the plants that you will find in your backyard, including fruit trees and lawns. They will often leave behind munched-on leaves and brown patches in your grass.
Green June beetle
The green June bug, or the June beetle, is slightly smaller than the common June bug. Like its name suggests, these beetles sport a metallic green color, and they love munching on fruits and berries in particular. It’s their larvae that tend to cause the most damage to lawns or turf grass, which is why when you think you might be dealing with a green June bug problem, calling in a professional might be your best bet to get rid of them. They are most commonly found on the east coast of the United States.
The life cycle of a June bug
The life cycle of a June bug begins in the spring, when females lay their eggs in the soil. They can lay up to 200 eggs at a time depending on the species, which means that an infestation can spread very quickly. Also depending on what type of June bug you are dealing with, eggs can incubate for around two to four weeks.
During the summer and fall, eggs hatch into larvae, also known as grubs, where they remain underground. They feed on roots of grasses and plants, which is why this period is usually the time that they cause the most damage to lawns. At this stage, they are white and C-shaped and about an inch long.
Depending on where the bugs are located, they might overwinter, meaning they bury deep into the soil to wait out the colder months before resuming feeding in the spring. The larval stage can last from around one to three years depending on the species of June bug.
At the pupa stage, the bugs bury themselves into the soil for around another two or four weeks. This happens in the late spring and early summer. Once they have completed their final transformation, they emerge from the soil as adults. They only live a couple of weeks, and during this time they mate and lay eggs to start the cycle again.
Are June bugs dangerous?
June bugs are not considered dangerous. They do not bite or sting, they are not poisonous, and they do not spread disease like other pests. However, they can be a nuisance if you have a number of them flying around your home at night, and they can cause significant financial damage to your lawn and plants.
They are also difficult to get rid of because they are more active at night and because their larvae are found underground. That’s why if you suspect you might be dealing with a June bug problem, having a professional come to take a look is a good idea.
Why are June bugs a problem?
While June bugs are overall harmless and you do not need to worry about them harming your kids or pets, they can ruin your lawn or plants you have in your yard. Since most damage occurs at the roots of these plants, they are not easy to eradicate. This can be costly since replacing grass, turf, or plants doesn’t solve the problem–you will need to target them when they are in the grub stage of their life cycle.
How to prevent a June bug infestation
The best thing you can do in order to keep June bugs from making a home in your yard is to maintain a healthy lawn in the first place. You’ll want to keep grass healthy by regularly mowing and watering deeply to promote strong roots. Another thing you can do is aerate your lawn, since the more compacted the soil is, the more attractive it is for a nesting ground for female June bugs.
Of course, removing attractants for June bug adults is also a good idea. If you have outdoor lights, make sure they are turned off at night, or use yellow lights designed not to attract bugs if you need to have them. If you tend to have mulch or compost on your property, make sure to remove it regularly since these serve as an attractive breeding ground.
How to get rid of a June bug infestation
If you have had an infestation in the past or your area is prone to attracting June bugs, then you might want to apply nematodes to your soil in the late summer and early fall when grubs are thriving. These microscopic organisms are safe for humans, pets, and plants, but they help to target grubs when they are most vulnerable.
Another option to consider is Milky Spore disease. These are a natural bacterium that are known to specifically attack grubs. This treatment also can last up to 10 years, so it’s well worth the investment if you are concerned about an infestation. A professional pest control service can give you more information on this and whether it is the right solution for you.
Allowing wildlife to roam your yard can also be another way to naturally get rid of June bugs. Animals like birds, frogs, and toads find grubs and adult June bugs delicious. Planting native plants in your yard or adding a bird feeder can bring them to your lawn.
If you have a an infestation, then it might be time to consider an insecticide. You’ll want to target June bugs at the grub stage if you use this method and apply it during the summer when grubs are feeding. As with any chemical application, it’s usually best to call pest control professional to take a look and do the job.
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