Although they aren’t dangerous to humans, an infestation of june bugs will eat through your lawn and landscape. The larvae eat plant roots, and the adults eat flowers and leaves. These scarab beetles swarm around outdoor lights, which can be a nuisance for people during the warmer months. Our guide explains how to get rid of june bugs with DIY repellents and keep them from returning using proven methods.

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What Are June Bugs?

June bugs (Phyllophaga species) are known by other names, such as may bugs, may beetles, or june beetles. The C-shaped, whitish larvae live underground. In late spring, these small reddish-brown beetles come from the soil as full adults. There are approximately 300 species of june bugs, and they appear in most ecosystems in North America.    

June bugs, which are a type of scarab beetle, have heavy, brown, round bodies. As adults, they grow to be between half an inch and one inch long. June bugs fly with clumsy movements and a signature buzzing sound.

June bugs can kill lawns and crops, their preferred food source. In their larval stage, the white grubs live in the soil and eat plant roots. As adults, they eat leaves, flowers, and plant stems. They are attracted to light and are most active at night. They frequently clatter around windows, glass doors, and outdoor patios.

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What Are the Signs of a June Bug Infestation?

Seeing several june bugs outside during early summer could indicate the arrival of warm weather rather than a severe infestation. However, if you hear frequent pinging of june bugs on your windows at night or see dead june bugs around your doorway and patio, you may have a june bug infestation.

As spring continues, stay alert for these signs of an infestation:

• Frequent banging and buzzing on your windows: June bugs are drawn to light. If inside lights are on in the evenings, you will hear frequent pops and clangs as the beetles fly into your windows.
• Landscaping damage: Look for patches of dead turfgrass, holes in your plants’ leaves, and damaged flowers.
• Large numbers of grubs and adult beetles: One of the easiest clues is the number of june bugs you see. Look for grubs, not just beetles. 
• Many june bugs inside your home: One or two june bugs might slip inside when you open the door. However, several june bugs at once or many dead ones over time indicate a significant problem.

When you identify an infestation, start prevention, repellent, and extermination methods to eliminate june bugs. June bugs can congregate in large numbers, so take action quickly.

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Problems Caused by June Bugs

June bugs can cause significant landscaping damage. Their tendency to flock to lights and bang against windows can also be annoying. 

Damage to Plants and Lawns

June bugs eat plants, both as grubs and as adults. They eat the roots of plants, flowers, and grass in the soil as larvae. This activity weakens your plants, making them less able to absorb nutrients and ward off disease. June bugs eat the stems, flowers, and leaves of plants and large strips of grass as adults.

June bugs cause plant damage throughout their lifecycle. They tunnel into the soil when they lay eggs and are in their larval stage. These tunnels disrupt the integrity of the soil and harm grassroots, leading to damage in subsequent growing seasons.

June bug larvae eat most roots, from young plantings to established shrubs and ornamental plants. Adult june bugs prefer fruit trees, berry plants, roses, and tree bark.

Nuisance to Humans

June bugs aren’t dangerous to humans. They don’t bite or spread disease. But they can be irritating. They are attracted to light, so they become noisy in the evenings when they try to access light around your home. They can also emerge in large numbers, making it unpleasant to gather outdoors.

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How To Get Rid of June Bugs

We recommend using DIY repellents and strategies to keep june bugs out of your garden and home at the first sign of june bugs. 

DIY June Bug Control Methods

You can use homemade or storebought methods to eliminate june bugs and reduce their numbers in your yard. Consider these DIY options: 

• Apply beneficial nematodes: Beneficial nematodes are a microscopic variety of roundworms. They hunt grubs in their environments. Moisten the soil and spread an application of beneficial nematodes in the soil where they can kill an entire colony of grubs. This step can prevent infestations early.
• Maintain your landscape: June bugs look for lawns with thick amounts of thatch and landscapes where insecticides have killed their natural predators. Keep your landscape trim and relatively dry without overwatering the garden beds or letting the soil get too soft. This is a long-term approach and not an immediate solution.
• Set traps: Set traps around the perimeter of your home and landscaping where you frequently see grubs and beetles. A common DIY trap is a one-to-one mixture of molasses and water in a bottle. The june bugs get into the container and can’t get out. You can also use storebought traps with long-lasting attractants.
• Use neem oil and other organic insecticides: Using insecticides is a common strategy for killing beetles and bugs. However, because the pests are in your garden beds, it’s best to use organic insecticides and neem oil. This minimizes potential damage to your landscape. Keep these substances away from your pets and children.

When To Call a Professional

You can call a professional pest control service to handle june bug pest control anytime, especially if you don’t like dealing with them. We recommend calling a professional when there are large numbers of pests or significant damage to your landscape.

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How To Prevent Future June Bug Infestations

Prevent infestations in your landscape with routine maintenance. Keep your lawn and garden beds trimmed, and allow natural predators such as lizards to live in your landscape. Use organic insecticides, and turn off your outdoor lights when they aren’t in use.

To keep june bugs out of your home, line window exteriors and entryways with diatomaceous earth to repel the pests. Also, ensure your window screens are in good shape.

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Our Conclusion

June bugs aren’t dangerous, but they’re a common pest that can damage your lawn and landscape. Keep your lawn safe with diligent maintenance and insecticidal treatments. Protect your home with well-maintained window screens and diatomaceous earth treatments to keep the beetles out.

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FAQ About June Bugs

Are june bugs harmful to pets?

June bugs are not harmful to pets. They don’t bite, but they can cling to fur, fabric, and collars.

Can june bugs fly?

June bugs can fly. However, their movement is clumsy, and they only fly for short periods of time. June bugs will fly into people, windows, and other things.

What are june bugs attracted to?

June bugs are attracted to lights. They congregate around patio lights, porch lights, and security lights and fly into windows to try to reach interior lights.

What is the lifespan of a june bug?

The lifespan of a june bug is three years. They spend most of the three years underground as larvae before transitioning to the pupal stage. June bugs emerge as adults in late spring, mate, and die before autumn.

Where do june bugs lay their eggs?

June bugs lay their eggs in moist, soft soil approximately three inches below the surface.

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