Dead Front Yard

Question: Hello, 
My front yard appears to be dead and I don't why. It is brown and not growing anything, even weeds. It is getting muddy with the rain and there seems to be new ant villages. It is approximately 15'x30' and not on the side of the house. The front yard faces south and has no trees. There is some shade on the west from the neighbors adolescent tree. This is in a St. Paul residential neighborhood. 

Thank you for your attention to this problem and any suggestions about what can and needs to be done. I don't want it to spread. Also, if I need to re-build my lawn what would be a native sustainable or pollinator option be? 
Thanks again.

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 10, 2023, 1:26 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. It could be grubs from Japanese Beetles.  With a shovel peel off the top 1 inch of top soil in a couple areas.  https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/japanese-beetle.htm https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles#:~:text=Larva%20(white%20grubs)&text=Legs%20are%20easy%20to%20see,the%20tip%20of%20the%20abdomen.  Please write back with photos

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 11, 2023, 12:05 PM EDT
response: Hello Again, OMG! You were right! I dug in a couple different places and sure enough there were 100s of Japanese Beetles larvae! I'll include one picture of a 3"x3" patch that I dug up. The next question then, is what in the world do I do about it? There are way too many for me to just pick out. I would never get them all. I can't really afford a lawn service and I'm not crazy about all there chemicals. I have 2 cats and my neighbors have chickens in their backyard so they don't like chemical sprays either.Thank you for your advice. Sincerely, Rebecca  On Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 12:26:49 PM CDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 11, 2023, 12:22 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. Fortunately these creatures are cyclical, some years a lot, some few.  There is nothing to do this year except to make your lawn less hospitable to them.  If you get grass, let it grow to 4.5 inches before mowing it to 3.5.  The taller the grass, the deeper the roots.  In Sept, write me back for over seeding and lawn renovation instructions.  https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care#lawn-repair-and-renovation-1759563 There is a new brain-sucking parasite of these things.  We are seeing it here. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/factsheets/THE%20FLY%20THAT%20ATTACKS%20JAPANESE.pdf  Never set traps for Japanese beetles--they draw more to your property.  If you or your neighbors have flowers, the best thing to do is to go our Am and late afternoon with a small plastic bucket with a couple inches of water and a capful of detergent in it.  The detergent destroys the surface tension so that they cannot fly and they drown.  Once you get good at it, you can sweep 3-6 beetles into the bucket with one swoop. Sorry to bring you bad news.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 11, 2023, 1:07 PM EDT
response: Hello again, Thank you for answering my question and providing a not-so-good-news answer. So am I to understand that there is nothing that can be done to prevent these larvae growing full cycle? I have 2 4x8 foot vegetable boxes in the back yard. How can I prevent that from getting attacked by the beetles once they hatch.Also, is there a duration of life cycle to expect or does this go on all summer? Thank you again. Rebecca   On Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11:22:16 AM CDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied May 11, 2023, 2:27 PM EDT
response: Here is some information.  https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles This is the life cycle.   chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/jb/downloads/JBhandbook.pdf I suggest bug cloth over your vegs.  This is cheap and you can easily make simple frames out of garden posts, sticks, spare lumber.  The key thing is to let the pollinators pollinate your vegs and when you see early fruit then put the cloth over. The cloth will let the rain and sun in and will not retain heat.  Even so, you should water tomatoes from the bottom of the plant and cut off the bottom six inches of plant to prevent soil germs from climbing the plant

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 11, 2023, 3:10 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your time and attention. I will let you know how it all works out! ;-)Rebecca  On Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 01:27:53 PM CDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: