What long-term strategies can I implement to reduce Japanese beetle populations?
As a dedicated organic gardener, I'm always on the lookout for sustainable long-term solutions to pest issues, particularly Japanese beetles. I live in a temperate region with a lot of greenery, which seems to favor their proliferation. This season, despite my efforts to combat them organically, I still see a few too many in my garden beds, especially near my beloved heirloom peppers. I'm exploring strategies that aren’t just reactive, but transformative—things like soil management, developing a healthier micro-ecosystem, or even introducing plants that could disrupt their lifecycle. I’d appreciate any advice from fellow gardeners who have successfully lowered their beetle populations over time. What holistic approaches have you found most effective?