Here is what you should know about the Japanese Beetle traps-they attract the beetles in order to capture them. So the best way to use them is by placing them someplace other then your yard. And I'm quite sure your neighbors will not appreciate you putting them in their yard. Just pick the beetles off and put them in a soapy solution to kill them if you are too squeamish to crush them. They will not kill your tree one way or the other. And look into beneficial nematodes to control the grubs that become the beetle.

Unfortunately, with topical sprays which is what you need to use, the beetles do a lot of damage before they either decide they don't like the taste or they die. I found that they don't thrive around geraniums. Perhaps planting geraniums around your other flowers and shrubs might help.

The only way to get rid of the adults is to trap them and kill or spray. Now, at this time, put down Milky Spore( a powder form)around all plants. This goes into the ground and the bacteria destroys the developing grubs of the Japanese Beetle. Next spring you will only have a few. It needs to be repeated every 3-4 yrs. It also destroys iris borer grubs as well as other grubs. I've used for 10 years.