Kudzu beetles are little brown bugs that may invade a home for the winter. This article will provide some general information on where they came from and how you can control local infestations.
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Kudzu beetles are being reported throughout the southeast and have made the “invasive species” list for many states. This means they’re prolific, problematic and have some kind of economic impact.
KUDZU BEETLE BIOLOGY ^
Known as the Bean Plataspid, kudzu beetles are native to India and China. The kudzu beetle’s scientific name is Megacopta cribraria and in it’s home country, they thrive on just about any plant found in the yard or garden but seem especially fond of kudzu. Not surprisingly, states here in the U.S. with kudzu seem to have the most activity.
KUDZU BEETLE INVASION ^
Since kudzu beetles overwinter or hibernate when it gets cold, they seek safe harborage for the winter away from the cold. To accomplish this goal, they’ll target anything warm. Houses make excellent places of refuge which is why many homeowners discover them accumulating on their homes come late fall and early winter. Activity will vary from region to region and as weather patterns change but this insect is quite hardy and the cold will not kill it. So on warm days where the temps move into the 50’s, they may decide to get active. For this reason they’ll be a persistent pest when most others are dormant.
When seen in the spring, kudzu beetles will typically be leaving structures and foraging out into fields for the soon to arrive warm months. When seen during the summer on the home or in the yard, it means you have a healthy population that should be treated before it gets worse. Basically a yard full of kudzu beetles in the summer almost guarantees they’ll gather to use the closest home for safe harborage during the cold of winter. The following video shows what they commonly do once they start invading the home:
BEST KUDZU BEETLE SPRAY ^
If you’re seeing them on the house, treat the siding with CYPERMETHRIN. It work’s fast and should knock out all activity immediately. Cypermethrin is also highly repellent which should keep them away and off the home for several weeks. Retreat as needed which will probably be a couple of times a month during the fall. But if you have them active in the yard, you may need to treat anytime from March through November. Add 1 oz per gallon of water and apply the mixed gallon to 500 sq/ft of surface area.
To help the Cypermethrin do its job faster, add SPREADER STICKER to your tank mix. Spreader sticker will enable the cypermethrin to “spread” out and cover the beetles faster and completely. Basically it enhances the performance of the chemical. This is a big help for “tough” insects like STINKBUGS, ASIAN LADYBUGS and Kudzu beetles. These pests all have tough exteriors making it hard for chemicals to penetrate quickly but Spreader Sticker will help big time. Mix 1 oz per gallon of water with the 1 oz of Cypermethrin to get the best results.
BEST ORGANIC KUDZU BEETLE SPRAY ^
Since kudzu beetles love vine type plants, they’ll commonly invade vegetable gardens feeding on melons, zucchini, pumpkins and tomatoes. To protect your garden from feeding kudzu beetles, we have an organic concentrate which can handle this pest. Known as MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER, its actually strong enough to kill them within an hour yet safe enough to use on edible veggies once a day. In most cases, 1-2 treatments will take care of an active problem and if you treat once a month during the growing season, they won’t return.
To apply the Cypermethrin or Multi Purpose Insect Killer, you’ll need a good PUMP SPRAYER.
KUDZU BEETLE CONTROL INSIDE THE HOME ^
If you’re seeing in the home, treat with DFORCE AEROSOL. Dforce is fast acting and can last several weeks. It comes equipped with a thin, injector straw for treating cracks and crevices. Direct treatments to baseboard molding, door frames, window frames basically any where they may be entering. Again, retreat as needed which may be 1-2 a month until the invasion subsides.
Kudzu beetles are a relatively new pest here in the United States but they appear to be here to stay. To keep your home beetle free, treat the outside before they get it scented and marked which will no doubt attract more.
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Michael says
So not only is Kudzu an invasive species, but it’s predator is too… Any way to control Kudzu itself?
Tech Support says
Michael,
Kudzus is easy to control with our 2-4-D seen here:
2-4 D: https://bugspray.com/yard/herbicide/weedar-64-gallon
Technical Support
800-877-7290
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