do japanese beetles like fig trees? we have roses and japanese maples in the front yard and every year we get ton of japanese beetles attacking those. yesterday, i saw one of them in my fig container trying to dig into the soil. i picked it up and crushed it.

if they do like fig trees and start getting to them, what should i do about them? i read that "milk spores" thing will get rid of grubs in the ground, and neems oil thing will kill the adult beetle. will those things harm fig tree or the fruit?

pete

Hi, Japanese beetles never bother my fig. It munched on my maple and plums but I think they do not like the white milky stuff from fig leaves.

I applyed milky spore two years ago and it really reduce the amount of beetles in the yard.  Did not take care of all of them due too many untreated yards around me.

Karla

I find the beetle damage to be both gross & subtle (pun intended). They devastate roses & other fruiting flowers.
They HAVE gotten a (stressed !) fig leaf here & there but as my ripes don't come until Sept., they do not have a chance to get fruit here but...
bet they would if it were available in June & July ! (They devastated our entire peach crop (1 huge tree) this year).
We use TRAPS, but lord, got to place them away from your place as they will attract all of the beetles in the neighborhood !