How to Get Rid of June Bugs, According to Experts

June bugs are one summertime guest you don't want frequenting your yard. They can wreak havoc on your flowers, plants, and even trees. Each stage of their life cycle can cause damage to everything from your grass to your beloved garden. These pests tend to emerge in the late spring and stay all summer long unless you find ways to keep them out.

So, to protect your outdoor oasis, it’s essential to learn how to get rid of June bugs and ways to prevent future infestations. So, we went straight to the experts for top tips on how you can win the battle against these beetles. 

What are June Bugs?

Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations and pest control expert at TruGreen, says that June bugs, also known as June beetles or May beetles, are a type of scarab beetle that produces grubs that feed on lawn roots and can cause significant damage when populations mount.

"June bugs got their name because they're most active in late spring and early summer," Feldman says. "The May and June beetles are best identified by their reddish to brown color, and are larger compared to other common beetle species, as they often grow up to 1 inch in length," he informs.

He continues, "They have a complete metamorphic life cycle, meaning they start from eggs laid in the soil, develop during a larval stage as a grub that feeds on roots, pupate, and finally emerge from the soil as an adult beetle."

Jim McHale​​​​, President of JP McHale Pest Management LLC, says that June bugs are not in the "true bug" order (Hemiptera) but reside in the "beetle" (Coleoptera) order. He warns that larval stages can be very destructive, and mitigation strategies should focus on this stage.

Why Do June Bugs Get Into or Around Homes?

"Adult [June bugs] are attracted to lights at night and often congregate in large numbers around porch lights or streetlights," Feldman informs.

McHale also says that switching the type of lighting outside your home and reducing the amount of light on your premises overall can keep June bugs from coming near your home. "LED or yellow exterior lighting can reduce the risk associated with attracting foraging adults," McHale says. "Shutting off interior lights when not needed or pulling shades down can help reduce pest pressure."

Common Signs of June Bugs 

Besides seeing June bugs buzzing around in the evenings or after dark, there are a couple of other signs to watch out for so you know if you need to work on getting rid of them. Here are some common signs your yard is riddled with June bugs:

• Your yard has brown patch spots: McHale says that a June bug infestation can be identified by brown spots in your lawn. Lifting the grass can reveal the "C" shaped larva that is causing damage. Keeping your lawn healthy and thick lawn will help deter pest activity.
• Plants have holes in their leaves: While various types of insects eat plant leaves, this can also be a sign of June bugs. If you notice small, uneven holes in the leaves of your plants or trees, then it's time to take action.
• Holes in the yard: June bugs can attract animals that feed on them, such as moles, skunks, and birds. So, if you notice more mole trails or holes in your lawn, this can be another sign of an infestation.

How Do You Get Rid of June Bugs? 

It may take a combination of methods to completely eradicate these resilient insects. But Feldman says that combining methods can effectively reduce the presence of June bugs and mitigate the damage they cause. Here are some tricks of the trade to implement to rid these pests from your property. 

Light Management

As mentioned above, light can be a big component drawing June bugs to your home, so it's worthwhile to reduce outdoor lighting during the beetles' active months. Use yellow or sodium vapor lights, which are less attractive to June bugs. You can also utilize UV Blue Light Bug Zappers near the home to prevent luring adult beetles to home entrances.

Treat with Chemicals

Feldman and McHale both say that preventative insecticides can target the potential grubs that may feed on the lawn. "Treatment strategies should target the larval stage," McHale says. "September and early spring are suggested windows to perform lawn treatments. It's at this time that larval stages reside closest to the root system and are vulnerable to effectively applied products."

Try a DIY Repellent Spray

Matthew Wilson, pest control expert and CEO of handygardeners.com prefers a more natural approach and recommends trying a DIY repellent spray. "This homemade repellent spray will create a June bug soap opera," he says. "Mix a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle with water. Spritz it on your plants—the bugs hate the soapy drama."

He continues, "Add a splash of essential oil for added flair—peppermint or neem seems to really repel the little buggers. Your plants will thank you."

Let Nematodes Battle the Beetles for You

Another natural way to get rid of June bugs is with the help of nematodes. "These microscopic soldiers help win the war against the June bug grubs from right under your feet," Wilson says. "Mix them into your watering can; let them infiltrate into the soil. They search for grubs, infect them, and make the lawn a no-grub zone. It's the tiniest secret agents working 24/7 for you."

Set Up a Bat House

So it may sound a bit odd and unconventional, but bats can provide professional pest control. “Set up a bat house nearby and invite them over for a moonlight dance party," Wilson says. "Next thing you know, these bats will be dive-bombing down to chow down on any available June bugs like it's an all-you-can-eat insect buffet."

How Do You Prevent June Bug Issues?

Feldman says keeping up with lawn care can help prevent June bugs. "Since grubs prefer lawns with excessive thatch, controlling thatch in your lawn through regular soil aeration can ensure your yard remains less attractive for adults to lay eggs into," he informs.

Remember that nematodes can stop June bugs at the source and actually eat the grubs before they can reach adulthood. So, this can be an excellent way to prevent June bugs naturally.

McHale says that timely applications to infested landscapes will intercept developing larval stages. Traps can be employed to capture adult fliers; however, strategic soil applications, synergized by a healthy, thick lawn, are your best defense.