How do I get rid of Japanese beetles on my Climbing Hydrangea?
Answer
Dear Sharon: Since the beetles are already on the climbing hydrangea, the safest treatment is to spray with Insecticidal Soap, which is available in most garden centers. If you treat the soil and lawn around your property with milky spore disease, you may lessen the invasion in the future. Also some people use the Japanese Beetle traps set far from the infected plant in the hope that the beetles will leave the plant and go to the trap. This is helpful, but beetles can fly from as far as 5 miles so you may also be attracting beetles to your property. If you do use the trap set it far from ornamental plants that the beetles like, such as roses.