Louisiana June Bugs – Why Do They Call Them June Bugs when they come out in March?
If you're in Louisiana, chances are your porch, carport, and backyard are under attack—by June bugs! These little nuisances are everywhere. Try stepping outside at night, and you'll find them dive-bombing the light, flopping around upside down, or just making it impossible to get in the door without a surprise bug ambush.
But let’s talk about the real mystery here—why are they called June bugs when they show up in March? Did they not get the memo? And what’s with the name “May beetle” when they clearly have their own agenda?
Are you curious about how long we have to deal with them? I did some digging (so you don’t have to) and found some wild facts about these stubborn little flyers.
WHAT ARE JUNE BUGS?
Dr. Midhula Gireesh, an entomologist at the University of Tennessee, says June bugs belong to the Phyllophaga genus, a massive group of scarab beetles with over 900 species. The good news? They don’t bite, and they’re not poisonous to people or pets. The bad news? They’re still everywhere.
HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?
According to Today's Homeowner, if you're ready to fight back, patience is key. Wait about five to six weeks before treating your yard. To get rid of adult June bugs, they recommend using Bifenthrin or Imidacloprid. If you want to stop the next invasion, Carbaryl works best on their larvae (grubs). These insecticides target the beetles’ nervous system, keeping them from taking over your outdoor space.
So, how are you dealing with the June bug takeover? And seriously—who named these things? Either someone didn't know what month they were in when they named these bothersome bugs, or the bugs are disrespectful and ignored the calendar. Here are a few more details about the ol' June bug.
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