How to Get Rid of June Bugs

Confirm you have June bugs

Correct identification matters, because the right fix for June bugs differs from the fix for their lookalikes. Adults measure 12–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) and are usually brown. Look for these features:

• Chunky, shiny reddish-brown to dark brown body
• Clumsy flight toward lights after dark
• Hairy underside and hooked legs that cling to screens

They are most often confused with Japanese beetle and ground beetle. See the full June bug profile for side-by-side details.

Why you have June bugs

June Bugs are drawn to the specific plants they feed on and multiply quickly in warm weather. Planting the same crop in the same bed each year makes outbreaks worse. Broad-spectrum sprays can kill the predators that would otherwise keep them in check. They are most active in spring and summer, so expect to see more of them then.

When you'll see June bugs

June Bugs are most active in spring and summer. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.

Typical places to check: lawn or grass, garden or plants and indoors, anywhere.

Step-by-step: getting rid of June bugs

Step 1: Turn off outdoor lights or switch to yellow bulbs during flight season

Turn off outdoor lights or switch to yellow bulbs during flight season. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.

Step 2: Keep lawns healthy

Keep lawns healthy and well watered so they tolerate some grubs. This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference.

Step 3: Treat for grubs only where you find about ten or more per square foot

Treat for grubs only where you find about ten or more per square foot. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.

Natural and low-toxicity options

These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:

• Hand-pick pests or knock them into a bucket of soapy water.
• Use floating row covers as a physical barrier.
• Attract beneficial insects with flowering herbs such as dill, yarrow and alyssum.
• Try insecticidal soap, neem oil or Bt products labeled for this pest, following the label.

If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.

When to call a professional

Most home gardens can handle June bugs without a professional. Contact your local cooperative extension office if damage is severe or you can't confirm the pest.

How to keep June bugs from coming back

• Rotate crops and clean up plant debris at the end of the season.
• Inspect plants weekly, especially leaf undersides.
• Keep plants healthy with proper watering and spacing.
• Encourage birds, ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps.

Safety notes

June bugs are harmless to people; they do not bite or sting.

Keep children and pets away from any traps, baits or treated areas.

About beetles

The June bug is one of the beetles. Beetles go through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (grub), pupa and adult. The larval stage often does the most feeding and damage, and it can last from a few weeks to several years depending on the species. Adults protect their flight wings under hard wing covers called elytra, which is why most beetles look armored and meet in a neat line down the back.

Look closely at larvae as well as adults. Grubs in soil, fuzzy larvae in closets and small worms in flour are all beetle larvae, and finding them tells you where the problem is centered.

Frequently asked questions