step one: pick the japanese beetles off anytime you see them and squish them or throw them in a soapy water bucket. repeat until crazy

step two: Yell and curse at them then run around like a madman/woman cursing more and pulling out your hair.

step three: Give up and hope they don't eat the plants to the ground so there is still enough for you or spray them with chemicals so you no longer want to eat it either, but hopefully kill as many of the SOB's as possible in the process.

Repeat as necessary.

Oh one more thing for some reason I'm not having hardly any problems with japanese beetles this year. I think it's the starlings. They're always in my yard picking things out of the grass and garden. I can't say 100% because the bug off as soon as they see me, but it looks like japanese beetles they're eating......along with doing a number on my zucchini, but I'm fine with that so long as they are eating the beetles.

So far, I think I am following the 3 step plan to a tee. :o)
Think I might try some kind of netting??

I would think netting would keep birds off, but would not block too many beetles

Try a Japenese Beetle trap. I set one out this year and it is working well. I see very few beetles on my plants and my trap is filling up. I see them for sale almost everywhere and you don't have too spray your plants with chems.

Scott

bought at lowe's today, window screening in a roll. Just laid in over top of the basil plants (4x4 box). Working great. Small enough holes to keep the beetles from eating but lets the water/sun in. It is very lightweight too.

Thanks for the trap idea, tried them last year, did not have much success.