Grub-free Lawns

[Edward12]

Grubs are sneaky and they usually attack in fall. Our lawn suffered from grub attacks last spring and I tell you it was one ghastly sight to see.

Do you know that grub prevention is best done during summer?

[garden ann]

I gather that the beetles which give birth to grubs lay eggs during the summer especially from mid to late summer.

When you prevent them from laying eggs the during that time, then it will be the best prevention technique.

there are organic applications which can be used to kill the newly hatched eggs before they can mature and wreak havoc on my lawn.

[vermigiant]

Here's your lawn grub! So innocent-looking but watch out after they have eaten under your lawn---you will be left wondering what happened to your lawn which had turned yellow then brown

[fleurdelys]

I've seen similar looking insects underneath cut coconut trees. They can eat through the wood of the tree! I can only imagine what they can do to a lawn

[John S.]

This is the adult beetle, calleld Masked Chafer,
which lays eggs that eventually develop into
white grubs in your lawns.


The Japanese beetles also feed on many
plants as adults and lay eggs in lawn areas
which will later develop into a grub problem
later in the season.

[farmerbrie]

1. a bacteria which causes Milky Spore Disease can be inoculated into the lawn before grubs appear or begin to eat up your lawn. An inoculation of this type of bacteria in your lawn can last for many years.

2. Beneficial nematodes - Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae- they feed on ants and termites, and the larval and grub stages of various beetles, weevils, armyworms, cutworms, chafers, webworms, borers, maggots, fleas, fungus gnats (sciarid flies).

--> these nematodes are contained in a formulation and mixed with water
to be sprayed or watered in your lawn.

--> once they are released, these nematodes will seek out the grubs and
enter body openings and when they are inside they release an
endotoxin.

[farmerpiper]

You may wonder what you can do when your lawn has been damaged by grubs

Your target date for renovating your lawn should be in early fall. You just rake away debris and water the area. Perhaps some of the grass whose roots have been damaged can still recover. Reseeding of bare or thin areas is highly recommended.

[vermigiant]

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes have shown good results for white grub control. Nematodes are very small unsegmented worms and are sold as Hb nematodes.You can order them online or through mail order catalogs. This particular species will search out white grubs and after entering the grub, release bacteria that kills the grub. Apply this products late in the day to lawns with adequate soil moisture and watered immediately.

[george]

I've noticed grubs while turning my compost pile, and I was wondering - do these grubs have any benefit? Do they aerate the soil, consume dead material, or control other pests?

I've seen that Milky Spore Powder is very effective at controlling grubs. It spreads from grub to grub and is a self renewing toxin. I'm just curious - are there any instances where the grubs are beneficial?