You're lucky Frank that this is the first year you've seen beetles. I moved to Madison three years ago. The first year I only had a couple. The second year I had thousands. This year isn't too bad, but that's partially because the roses weren't blooming when they first started showing up. They're mostly on the raspberries this year which is annoying, but my berry patch is over grown so the beetles can't really do too much damage. There's some on my cherry tree which worries me more as the cherry is still small enough that the beetles can hurt it. I kill them by drowning them in a bucket of soapy water. The beetles have an instinct to dive down when threatened, so I stick the bucket under then and shake them off the plant. I don't worry about getting every single one. I used milky spore on my lawn last year too which should help. I have most of the roses in the neighborhood so I get the majority of the beetles in my yard, so I assume doing milky spore on my lawn will do some good since most of the eggs are probably laid in my yard too.

I've had more than I have had in previous years, but not an onslaught. Still, I'm being vigilant. Each one killed is less next year. Hopefully.

The adult beetles you found don't do any damage to plants. It's their larvae or grubs that do the munching. If you dig up more than about six white grubs per square foot, control may be needed. Choose selective, least toxic, IPM-compatible products whenever possible. The microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis and insect-killing nematode products that can be applied like insecticides have minimal negative impacts on nontarget organisms. The insecticides azadirachtin, pyrethrum (pyrethrins), and imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Lawn Grub Control, GrubEx, etc.) are also relatively safe products. Each of these products is effective only on certain pests and all must be properly timed and applied to be effective. You'll want to apply the product you choose when the larvae or emerging adults are close to the surface of the soil. Adults emerge from the soil June through early August appearing about dusk and are attracted to porch lights. Eggs usually are laid in the top 2 inches of soil. The developing grubs will reach the final instar (third) in late summer and early fall. Most damage to roots is done in September and early October when the grubs are full-sized (about an inch long) and feeding vigorously. Feeding continues until cooling temperatures force the grubs to migrate 5 to 10 inches deep in the soil to hibernate. By late March, overwintering third-instar grubs begin migrating upward near the soil surface to feed. They continue feeding on roots (especially grass) and organic matter until May, then move back deeper into the soil to pupate. Be sure to follow label directions exactly on whatever product you decide to use.

I see a few Japanese Beetles on the roses. I have been absent from the garden so I probably have a lot more, just not getting in there and seeing to what extent. I noticed them on a rose near the front walk on my way by. I don't usually get a high population of them. I hope to get out there and get rid of them before I end up with one. Yes, each year it's a different combination of critters. I usually get a lot of damage from earwigs during the night. This year I've barely seen any damage from ear wigs. It was quite a significant difference, especially to my basil and echinacea. Last year they were awful and this year I can actually enjoy them. I wondered if that crazy winter with all the snow cover had something to do with it. I can't imagine what other reason would have made such a change. I haven't been keeping up with the RLLBeetle this year either and I noticed going past a Lily the other day the foliage is not looking so good. But I'm not worrying about it. I think whatever year I have time to pay attention to it, I can get it under control. I was reading an article in the Globe from the Sunday paper about a gardener that was not keeping up with her garden this year and how it was doing better without her interventions then it usually did with it. That gave me a good laugh. I think it is just a better gardening year then usual. Next year will be different again.