Hi Scott,

I’m so glad you find our service helpful; thank you! It is unfortunate that one of Japanese Beetles’ favorite plants to eat is Virginia Creeper.

There is a variety of free online resources available to the public that are based upon research from local University Horticulture Departments. Colorado State University research has produced a Fact sheet #5.601 about attempts to manage Japanese Beetle: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/japanese-beetle-5-601/#:~:text=Japanese%20beetle%20larvae%20are%20a,reduce%20damage%20to%20nearby%20plants.
The author, Dr. Whitney Cranshaw, concludes that handpicking or shaking adults off leaves and into soapy water is the best strategy for control during the summer months. Traps have not been shown to be effective; the scent emitted by the traps oftentimes only attracts more beetles! The article goes into great detail about the beetles’ life cycle and how larvae can be controlled with certain insecticides or by insect parasitic nematodes.

You also might consider making your garden attractive to birds who like to eat these beetles; Maybe provide a birdbath? You might also consider ripping out your Virginia Creeper as this will be an ongoing problem for you in future Summers. In its place, you might consider planting an alternative vine. PlantTalk #1727 gives some suggestions https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1727-vines-colorado/
They include both Trumpet honeysuckle Lonicira sempervirems and flowering clematis.