To get rid of June bugs, break the grub cycle, reduce night lights, and treat turf at egg-hatch with targeted controls.
June bugs (also called May beetles or June beetles) show up at dusk, bounce off windows, and leave chewed leaves and patchy turf. The fix isn’t a single spray. It’s a simple plan that targets both stages: the flying adults and the root-eating “white grub” larvae in soil. This guide walks you through timing, tools, and smart habits that keep numbers down without wasting money.
Quick ID And Why They Show Up
Adults are chunky scarab beetles, usually reddish-brown to dark, about ½–1 inch long. They’re active at night and drawn to porch lights. The larvae (white grubs) curl into a C-shape under turf and feed on roots. Most species run on a two- to three-year cycle, which explains why a lawn can look fine one summer and torn up the next. If you’ve typed “how to get rid of june bugs” into a search bar, you’re likely seeing both adults outside and lawn thinning from grubs underneath.
How To Get Rid Of June Bugs: Timing That Works
Treatments land best when matched to the life cycle. Adults fly late spring into summer to mate and lay eggs. Eggs hatch in mid- to late summer; tiny grubs feed close to the surface. As weather cools, grubs burrow deeper. In late spring they move up again to feed before pupating. That rhythm sets your calendar for lighting tweaks, hand removal, and soil treatments.
First Moves You Can Do Tonight
- Swap bright bulbs at entries for “bug” or warm LED bulbs and switch off non-essential outdoor lights.
- Close blinds/curtains at dusk so indoor light doesn’t beacon beetles to your glass.
- Shake shrubs after dark into a bucket of soapy water; adults drop fast and sink.
- Cover prized veggie beds and young ornamentals with row cover at dusk during the flight window.
Life Cycle Calendar And Best Actions
Use this at-a-glance table to match actions to what the insects are doing in your region. Adjust dates a bit for your climate zone.
| Stage / Window | What’s Happening | Best Action |
|---|---|---|
| Late Spring–Early Summer | Adults fly at dusk; mating and egg-laying begin | Reduce night lighting; hand-collect; protect tender plants |
| Mid–Late Summer | Eggs hatch; tiny grubs near surface | Apply preventative products on turf at egg-hatch; water in per label |
| Late Summer–Early Fall | Grubs feeding; still reachable in upper soil | Curative treatments if damage shows; spot-treat hot spots |
| Fall Chill | Grubs move deeper to overwinter | Pause soil treatments; repair turf; reduce thatch |
| Late Winter–Early Spring | Grubs resume feeding closer to the surface | Scout under sod; consider spring curatives if pressure is high |
| Any Time | Lawn stress raises risk | Water deeply, mow right, improve drainage, relieve compaction |
| Any Time | Night attraction to light | Use warmer LEDs, motion sensors, or cut unneeded lights |
Getting Rid Of June Bugs Safely: Step-By-Step
Step 1 — Confirm You’re Dealing With June Bugs
Lift a square foot of turf on damaged edges. If you count more than 6–8 C-shaped grubs in that patch, you’ve found the culprit. Adults at lights and beetle feeding on leaves add to the picture. Don’t confuse them with Japanese beetles; those are smaller with metallic green/copper and white hair tufts along the sides. Spotting the right insect keeps you from buying the wrong product.
Step 2 — Cut The Nighttime Draw
Light management is simple and it works. Switch to warm LEDs or yellow “bug” bulbs near doors, add motion sensors, and turn off decorative lighting during the peak flight window. Close shades indoors so glass doesn’t glow like a beacon. Fewer adults around the house means fewer eggs in nearby soil.
Step 3 — Protect Plants And Hand-Collect
Cover vulnerable beds with row cover from dusk till morning during heavy flights. Shake shrubs over a tub with soapy water. On patios, a fan near lights pushes poor fliers off course. These steps lower adult feeding on leaves and limit egg-laying in beds closest to the house.
Step 4 — Tune Up Your Turf
Healthy turf shrugs off light feeding and recovers faster. Mow at the high setting for your grass type, water deeply but not every day, and aerate compacted soil. Dethatch if the thatch layer is thicker than a half inch. Thick thatch and compacted soil shelter grubs and weaken roots, which magnifies damage.
Step 5 — Treat Soil At The Right Time
There are two broad approaches for lawn grubs: preventative (aimed at eggs and tiny larvae in mid-summer) and curative (aimed at feeding larvae later). Many labels require watering in to move the product into the root zone. Always read and follow the label on your specific product, including protective gear.
What Really Works On Grubs (And When)
Below is a plain-English summary of common options. Check local guidance and turf restrictions before buying. A helpful reference on timing and product categories is provided by university turf programs such as NC State’s white grubs guide and University of Wisconsin’s grub control page.
| Option | Best Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preventative turf products (e.g., chlorantraniliprole; check label) | Early–mid summer at egg-hatch | Targets small larvae; water in; gentle on many beneficials compared with broad-spectrum picks |
| Curative picks (e.g., trichlorfon on label; regional restrictions apply) | Late summer–early fall or spring when grubs are near surface | Short residual; water in; use only when counts and damage warrant |
| Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae (Bt galleriae) | Early instar window in mid–late summer | Biological; performance improves on small grubs; follow rate and re-treat schedule on label |
| Beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis spp.) | Late summer evenings with moist soil | Soil must stay damp; apply at dusk; buy fresh, refrigerate per vendor |
| Metarhizium (entomopathogenic fungus) | Label windows; warm soil helps | Biological; variable results; patience needed |
| Milky spore (Paenibacillus popilliae) | Not a fit for many June bug species | Best for Japanese beetle grubs; results on other species are limited |
| Professional services | When DIY trials fail or turf value is high | Pros can confirm species and place the right tool at the right time |
Scouting: Know When You’re Winning
Every two to three weeks during summer and early fall, peel back a few turf squares at the edge of any browning. Count grubs in each square foot and note size. Fewer small grubs after a mid-summer preventative treatment means it hit the window. If damage keeps expanding and counts stay high with finger-thick grubs, plan a curative pass while they’re still within the top couple inches of soil.
Porch, Patio, And Garden Fixes That Help
Lights And Entryways
- Warm LED bulbs or yellow “bug” bulbs cut attraction near doors.
- Use motion sensors so lights only run when needed.
- Seal gaps and add screens; adults thump glass and sneak in through tears.
Beds And Shrubs
- Row cover at dusk on young plantings.
- Shake adults off foliage into soapy water.
- Prune dead leaves that hide beetles by day.
Lawn Care Habits That Reduce Risk
- Water deeply once or twice a week rather than daily sprinkles.
- Keep mower blades sharp and mow tall.
- Aerate compacted soil; fill cores with compost-sand blends for better root growth.
- Topdress thin spots and seed in late summer so turf thickens as grub numbers drop.
Common Myths And What To Do Instead
“One Big Spray Fixes It”
Adult beetles may fall quickly to lights-plus-soapy buckets, but the root of the problem is in soil. A single spray on leaves doesn’t reach grubs. Time your lawn treatment to egg-hatch or to active feeding near the surface.
“Traps Solve The Problem”
Pheromone traps are designed for Japanese beetles and can pull in beetles from the neighborhood. That can raise adult counts in a small yard. For June bugs, you’ll get more value from light reduction, plant covers, and well-timed turf work.
“Milky Spore Works On Everything”
Milky spore targets Japanese beetle grub species. June beetle species respond poorly. If you want a biological route for June beetles, look at Bt galleriae or nematodes and apply when grubs are small.
Safe Handling And Label Basics
If you choose a pesticide, match the active ingredient and timing to the label, wear the listed gear, and water in when directed. Keep kids and pets off treated areas until the re-entry interval passes. Store products locked and dry. Many lawns can be managed with cultural steps plus a single well-timed treatment, which keeps inputs low.
Case Walk-Through: A Weekend Plan
Friday At Dusk
- Swap two porch bulbs to warm LEDs; switch off unneeded yard lights.
- Shake beetles from shrubs into a soapy tub; cover veggie beds.
Saturday Morning
- Lift two turf squares on the edge of any brown patch and count grubs.
- If counts exceed your comfort level and grubs are small, choose a preventative product and apply per label; water in.
- If grubs are large near the surface and damage is spreading, pick a labeled curative; water in.
Saturday Afternoon
- Aerate compacted zones; rake thatch if it’s thicker than a half inch.
- Topdress thin spots and seed if you’re within your region’s seeding window.
Sunday Evening
- Reset covers at dusk during peak flights.
- Set a reminder to scout again in two to three weeks. If results look good, you’re on track.
When To Call A Pro
Call in help if a high-value lawn keeps declining, if you’re unsure which species you have, or if labels look confusing. Pros can ID larvae to species, pin down the timing, and choose treatments suited to your grass type and region.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a shelf of products to beat June bugs. Cut the lights that draw adults. Protect plants during the flight window. Build turf health. Hit grubs at the right moment with a well-matched treatment. If someone asks you how to get rid of june bugs, you can share that sequence with confidence—and use it yourself next season too.