Grubs

Grubs are immature (larvae) beetles including Japanese Beetle, Masked Chafers, Green June Beetle, and many, many others. Grubs can destroy a lawn by eating away at the underground roots. This goes unnoticed until dead, brown areas a few inches in diameter to several thousand square feet begin to show up. Flocks of birds descending to feed on your lawn, as well as brown areas that lift right off of the ground like a rug, are clues that grubs are present. By the time you see these symptoms, there is a severe problem.

Adult beetles emerge from the ground in mid-June through early July. During the month of July, the adults feed on and damage a variety of plants, most notably plants in the rose family. As the beetles reach maturity in the latter part of July they mate, lay eggs just under the surface of the soil, and die. The eggs hatch within 5-10 days. Young grubs emerge and begin feeding on plant roots until well into October. As the temperatures begin to drop, the grubs burrow into the ground to rest for the winter. When warm spring weather arrives, the grubs become active and resume feeding during late April through May. By June, the grubs undergo metamorphosis into beetles, completing one generation and beginning another.

PREVENTATIVE CONTROLS

Prevention preserves your lawn, allows you greater flexibility in timing of application, and uses insecticides that are less toxic than other treatment options. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS WHEN USING PESTICIDES.

BAYER Season Long Grub Control (MERIT): Insecticide with long residual activity, lasting up to 5 months. It is very effective at low rates of application with a low degree of toxicity. Apply anytime between April 15 and July 15. Merit should be watered in following application.

MILKY SPORE: A biological control for Japanese Beetle grubs. Milky spore is a bacteria that lives in the soil, parasitising grubs. Apply 3 times a year for 2 years. It is slow acting, requiring 2-3 years to provide good control, but will remain effective for more than 20 years. This is a natural product, with very low toxicity.

REMEDIAL CONTROLS

If you have an existing grub problem, a remedial approach is often necessary. Grubs become increasingly resistant to the less toxic preventative approaches as they grow. Faster acting, stronger, control measures become necessary. Water the lawn one day prior to application and again following application for maximum effect.

DYLOX: A fast acting, effective control for all grubs, webworms and other turf insects. Apply Dylox in April-May or August-September, when you first observe insect activity.