Question
We have two American Linden trees that are about 15 years old. As soon as the first leaves appear in the spring, something starts to eat them. The trees manage to flush out again, but something continues to chew on them all summer long. Two arborists came out. One said to do a soil drench with Merit in the fall. The other said to spray it with an insecticide. What it correct? Is there something else we can do? They suspect it's the Japanese Beetle, but from what I've read, I don't think they eat the leaves in the spring - it seems that they do more damage in the summer. Is that right? Thank you very much.

Answer
They are both correct Merit is an insecticide.
Common name: Imidacloprid

Type: Other

Primary action: Contact, Ingestion

Formulations: Wettable powder, Granule, Water-soluble packet

Insects controlled: Billbug, cricket, mole cricket, turfgrass weevil, white grubs, Japanese beetles

Merit is relatively safe for humans and the environment.  The active ingredients  are very low and are broken down by soil organisms.   Merit is  effective grub controls when timely and properly applied. Merit gives 98% control of grubs when applied from July 1st - August 15th.  It is best to water the product in well shortly after application.  
Trade Name: Merit, Merit 0.5G Insecticide, Merit .3G