Treatment FAQ

how necessarry is it for grub treatment?

by Catalina DuBuque PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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By spring, the grubs are just a few weeks from their beetle stages. They’re larger and hardier, but it’s still possible to get them under control. Working with a professional on the right type and amount of Spring grub treatment to use is essential. That’s the best way to rid your yard of pests while keeping it healthy.

You do not have to apply grub control annually unless you see grub damage. If you have been treating your lawn with a preventer and killer for successive years, it may be time to stop until you notice any signs of grub damage return. In healthy turfs, grubs may not be a significant problem.Jul 2, 2021

Full Answer

How to kill grubs naturally?

Grub Treatments Insecticides can be used as preventive treatments while adult beetles are laying eggs during early summer. Imidacloprid insecticides, which can …

What is the best treatment for grubs?

May 22, 2020 · One trichlorfon product has “24 Hour Grub Control” in its name and would seem to indicate that it will kill grubs in 24 hours. However, even trichlorfon should not be evaluated for at least five days after application (assuming it rains or irrigation was applied), and carbaryl may need three to four weeks to be effective.

When to apply grubex and obtain the best results?

Grub control measures need to be taken on annual basis to work consistently. Skipping a year may be fine, but if any beetles have laid their eggs in your lawn’s soil over the course of that last year, you can be looking at a seriously damaged lawn by mid-fall. The cost from prevention to full-blown control/eradication and repair will easily double.

When is the best time to apply grubex?

Apr 20, 2022 · You need grubs about 8 to 10 grubs per square foot before you would really achieve damage. To prevent grubs, use residual lifespan of insecticides that we apply to the turf. Even though we know that most white grub populations arrive in July or August, some of these insecticides have residual activities of 3 to 4 months, and so we can apply them earlier to …

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What happens if you don't treat grubs?

Healthier grass can tolerate more grub feeding, and all grass can tolerate some grub feeding. A grub infestation will cause patches of thinning turf, and these patches will gradually increase in size. Often times grub damaged grass will pull out very easily at the roots.Sep 20, 2019

Do I need to put down grub control every year?

You do not need to apply grub control every year successively unless you see grub damage. If you've been treating your lawn with a grub preventer and killer for a few years in a row, it may be time to stop until you see the signs of grubs and European chafers again.Sep 7, 2020

How often do you need to treat for grubs?

The grubs are highly destructive to lawns. They feed on the roots of the grass in summer, resulting in dead patches of turf. Grub killers may be applied up to three times per year, depending on the pesticide and the manufacturer's instructions.

When should I start treating for grubs?

Treating in late summer or early fall is ideal, as that is when the smaller, young grubs are most susceptible to nematodes. There is also usually a short window for application in early spring before the grubs get too big and pupate, but that is a narrower window and can be difficult to time properly.Aug 10, 2017

Will grubs go away on their own?

Will grubs go away on their own or die in the winter? Unfortunately, no. Grubs hatch in late summer and begin to feed. They lay eggs that hatch and grow until mid-fall, at which point the grubs move deeper into the soil to survive the chilly winter season.Mar 16, 2022

Is it too late to treat for grubs?

By the time damage is apparent it is much too late for preventive white grub products such as Merit and Grub-X. These must be applied before mid-August. Insecticides must be watered in to be effective.Sep 10, 2008

Will grub damaged lawn grow back?

If you have areas of dead turf, you'll need to re-seed them. Some areas will need to be scraped clean, soil added, and seeded. However, some areas may just warrant slice-seeding to repair them. Either way, they aren't coming back on their own.Sep 5, 2013

What are signs of grubs in lawn?

Signs of Lawn Grubs

Grubs normally strike in mid to late summer and cause brown or yellow spots in your turf. if you have moles, skunks, raccoons, or birds digging around your turf, that can be a sign of grubs.

What is the most destructive insect pest in Michigan lawns?

Chinch bug
They can be one of the most destructive turfgrass pests of home lawns and high mowed golf course roughs. They can be found in the northeastern U.S. from Virginia to Maine, west to Minnesota and throughout Michigan. Chinch bug adults.Apr 14, 2017

What do grubs turn into?

These white, C-shaped creatures have soft bodies with legs near the head. They feed on grass roots (and organic matter in the soil), causing sections of grass in the lawn to die. A white grub eventually turns into adult Beetles and emerge from soil to mate and lay eggs.

What causes grubs in your lawn?

The grubs get their start when the adult beetles lay eggs in your turf, usually in spring. After the eggs hatch, the grubs evolve in three stages, with grub damage greatest in late summer, when you will see areas of your lawn thinning and yellowing. Later, irregular brown patches appear in your turf.Nov 2, 2020

How do you get rid of grubs naturally?

So, let's look at some home remedies for grubs and natural ways to get rid of grubs.
  1. Encourage birds to hang out in your yard. ...
  2. Feed your chickens. ...
  3. Limit irrigation. ...
  4. Relocate them. ...
  5. Treat with milky spore. ...
  6. Introduce beneficial nematodes. ...
  7. Apply neem oil. ...
  8. Repel the beetles.
May 18, 2018

When to apply grub control?

They will not work on grubs found in the lawn from the middle of October through the middle of May. However, when applied in June or July they provide excellent protection against the next generation of grubs. So, if you need to apply the preventive insecticide BEFORE the grubs are there, how do you know if you need to use an insecticide or not? If you confirmed grub damage the previous fall or spring, meaning you found lots of grubs, then you may want to use a preventive insecticide for one or two years to build a more dense turf that will be tolerant of grubs. If you have treated for several years and you do not see evidence of grubs in your lawn or in the neighbor’s lawn, it may be time to stop treating. There is an erroneous philosophy being perpetuated that because we have European chafers and Japanese beetles in the area, it is necessary to treat every year or your lawn will be damaged by grubs. This is not true.

Where are the active ingredients on a grub control?

The active ingredients are usually shown on the bottom right or left of the front of the bag and listed as a percent of composition.

How long does it take for carbaryl to kill grubs?

Both compounds work equally well on Japanese beetle grubs. It will take 10-14 days for the grubs to begin dying after the insecticide is applied. One trichlorfon product has “24 Hour Grub Control” in its name and would seem to indicate that it will kill grubs in 24 hours. However, even trichlorfon should not be evaluated for at least five days after application (assuming it rains or irrigation was applied), and carbaryl may need three to four weeks to be effective. Do not apply any curative compounds in the spring after May 15 as grubs stop feeding in late May as they prepare to pupate. As with the preventive products, lawns should be mowed immediately before applying carbaryl or trichlorfon to protect bees.

What products are not good for grubs?

Do not use products containing ONLY lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin or permethrin for grub control. Products containing only these ingredients will not work for grub control because the active ingredient binds with organic material and will not move down to where the grubs are feeding. These products work well for above-ground feeding insects that live on the grass leaves or soil surface, but not for insects that feed on the roots. At one garden center a clerk showed us two products, one containing only permethrin and one containing only bifenthrin, when we asked for products to control grubs. Neither of the products listed grubs on the label printed on the bag and neither of the products would have controlled grubs.

What insecticides kill grubs?

There are two chemicals, carbaryl and trichlorfon, that are considered curative treatments. They are short-lived compounds that kill all life stages of grubs. These two insecticides are the only options if high numbers of grubs are found in the fall and in spring before early May. Our research indicates they will kill 20-80% of grubs when applied in September or 20-55% when applied in late October. They are not as effective as the preventive compounds in reducing grub numbers.

Why do you need to mow before applying insecticide?

If you are applying a product containing clothianidin, thiamethoxam or imidacloprid, the lawn should be mowed prior to the application so that no weeds are flowering in the lawn when the insecticide is applied. These active ingredients can be toxic to bees if the bees visit flowers that were recently sprayed. Mowing prior to making the application will avoid this problem by removing the flowers. Weeds that flower again after mowing are much safer than weed flowers that were sprayed directly with insecticide, but some of the insecticide is absorbed by the roots and will move into the pollen and nectar. More research is needed on this, but it could cause problems for native bees or have long-term health effects on honey bees or bumble bees. If there is nothing flowering in the lawn, there is nothing in it that would attract bees.

When do grubs appear in lawns?

Grub damage may appear in home lawns from mid-September to November or from March to early May. However, for low-maintenance lawns, even if the turf is not killed from grub feeding, the thinned and weakened turf may be prone to weeds and drought stress. Healthy turf with a few grubs may not need an insecticide.

How does grub control work?

This includes removing the infested areas of turf, controlling the grubs that are present, installing new lawn and then the maintenance required by the addition of a new lawn.

What is a grub in lawn?

Grubs, white grubs or lawn grubs are all names for the larval form of the beautiful scarab beetle species. While the adults are gorgeous, their immature grub forms are ugly and downright dangerous for your lawn. These caterpillar-like forms are white with brown heads and they often curl up like a “C” when disturbed.

How long does a grub lawn last?

However, their lifecycles can range anywhere from one to three years, so you can see damage during other warm parts of the year as well. Grub lawn damage looks like big, irregular dead patches and once those appear, there is nothing you can do but cut out sections of your turf and lay new sod down.

Is grub prevention more expensive than grub control?

You may need it, you may not. Here’s what we do know – grub prevention is significantly less expensive than grub control or repair should your property wind up with a grub outbreak.

What is the best way to kill grubs?

The first one is powerful chemical insecticides that provide a quick result. The other one includes organic insecticides that are either based on plant extract or use nematodes as biological control. Which one to choose largely depends on the levels of grub infestation. Natural solutions are of low toxicity but have a milder effect while chemical solutions are more potent but should be applied with caution. Products containing active ingredients like chlorantraniliprole should be used as a preventive soil treatment. Insecticides made with chemicals like trichlorfon and carbaryl are the most effective when applied in mid-August.

When to treat grubs in the garden?

Timely treatment is crucial as otherwise even the most effective product won’t provide proper effect. Mid-August is the most favorable period for undertaking a curative method as the grub worms are still small. By the end of September, the grubs have grown and dig deeper into soil outside of the insecticide action area due to the drop in temperature. Spring is also not the best curative grub control time as after the winter, the grubs are quite large.

What insecticides are effective in August?

Insecticides made with chemicals like trichlorfon and carbaryl are the most effective when applied in mid-August. 1. Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Killer.

How to kill grubs with nematodes?

These small worms will start looking for grub worms underground, and once they find them, they will secrete bacteria that kill grubs. Apply nematodes on an irrigated soil, and water it once more after setting the nematodes free there . The best time for the procedure is early morning or early evening as at that time, you will avoid direct sunlight. The weather should either be sunny or rainy, but do not let the nematodes into the soil when it is when it is too hot or dry or when it is raining heavily as the rain can simply wash them off.

How to kill grub worms in the ground?

The treatment can be used by letting the nematodes directly into the ground or by spraying them. Once in the soil, the insects will chase and kill grub worms. You should store nematodes in the refrigerator.

How big do grub worms get?

Their lower abdomen is darker due to the soil particles in it. Grub worms can reach two inches in length. Remove some of the damaged soil carefully, (especially in places where green grass borders brown grass) and check for the grub worms matching the above description.

When to use curative worm control?

A curative approach is suitable for solving the problem quickly, i.e. if you have discovered grub worms at your lot and would like to immediately get rid of them. It is suitable for the summer when the larvae are small and actively feed near the soil surface.

What Are Lawn Grubs?

Lawn grubs, also known as white grubs, are small white creatures that curl up into a distinctive C shape when disturbed. The grub worm is the larval form of several types of scarab beetles including Oriental beetles, Japanese beetles, chafer beetles and green June beetles.

Do You Need Lawn Grub Control?

There are several types of damage in the lawn that may indicate grubs. Brown patches that don't green up in the spring may be the result of grubs feeding the previous fall. In late summer and fall, randomly shaped dead patches may indicate grubs.

How to Control Grubs in Grass

Some grub control methods are simply good lawn care practices. A healthy, thick lawn discourages beetles and grubs, and has a deep root system that'll be more tolerant of damage that does occur. See 8 Easy Tips for the Perfect Lawn for ideas on how to maintain a healthy lawn.

Repairing Lawn Grub Damage

Once you've found an effective method of lawn grub control, you need to repair the damage they caused. Some areas may recover simply with proper care. Just clear away the dead material and water the damaged area.

When to use grub control?

Summer and fall applications handle smaller, younger grubs before they spend months gnawing away at your yard’s root system. During winter, depending on local temperatures, grubs burrow deeper into the ground to feed and mature. Applications aren’t as common during these months because more needs to be used in order to saturate the ground enough to reach them.

How to contact Think Green for grub treatment?

Rather not spend the next nice weekend poking holes in your lawn? Understandable! Need help with your Spring grub treatment? Call Think Green at (678) 648-2556 for a free estimate, and keep your weekend to yourself instead.

How long does it take for grubs to get under control?

By spring, the grubs are just a few weeks from their beetle stages. They’re larger and hardier, but it’s still possible to get them under control. Working with a professional on the right type and amount of Spring grub treatment to use is essential. That’s the best way to rid your yard of pests while keeping it healthy.

Can you wait to do grub treatment in spring?

Spring can make homeowners antsy to get started on outdoor tasks, but performing some of them too early can impede their effectiveness. Grub treatments, for instance, should be held off until grubs have returned to the top inch or so of soil. Before that time, you may have trouble reaching the problem effectively. At the same time, you don’t want to wait so long to do your spring grub treatment that massive damage has been done.

What is the best treatment for grubs?

Part of this treatment includes the use of beneficial organisms such as nematodes. Nematodes are tiny (microscopic) worms considered environmentally friendly and effective grub predators.

When to apply grub treatment?

This is easy to pinpoint. The months of August through October see the most grub activity on your lawn.

What is grub control?

Grubs are synonymous with lawn damage and require adequate and far-reaching control strategies to check their activities. Part of the several considerations to make includes knowing when to apply grub control. This is as important as the actual process of getting rid of grubs. Grub control involves several things.

How many grubs are in a square foot?

Doing this will involve digging up parts of your lawn to observe the soil. When more than 5 grubs are found per square foot, treatment will need to commence immediately.

What is the best way to kill grubs?

Insecticides are known to be effective in grub control.

When is the best time to apply grub control measures?

The months usually having the highest record of grub activity (destruction of lawns through feeding) are late July, August, and September.

Do grubs fly off?

Plus, grubs cause limited damage at this stage of their development. When they eventually become beetles, they fly off in search of favorable territor y. A favorable territory will be one with attractive plants such as crepe myrtle, roses, and ornamental cherries among several others.

When to treat grubs in lawn?

Some move as much as 12 inches below the surface. Come March, lawns already under attack by grubs are best treated in early spring or fall. Apply Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus for fast results.

When to apply Bayer 24 hour grub killer?

Some move as much as 12 inches below the surface. Come March, lawns already under attack by grubs are best treated in early spring or fall. Apply Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus for fast results.

Do you have to treat your lawn every year for grubs?

There is an erroneous philosophy being perpetuated that because we have European chafers and Japanese beetles in the area, it is necessary to treat every year or your lawn will be damaged by grubs. This is not true. Preventive products are the most effective.

How to treat grubs in lawn?

Before hiring a professional or treating the lawn with insecticide, determine if the grub infestation is truly severe enough to warrant treatment. Select a 1 square foot area that encompasses healthy grass and damaged grass. Grasp the grass by hand and try to pull it up and away from the soil.

How thick is grub treatment?

Lawn preparation is an integral part of grub treatments. Mow and dethatch the lawn if the thatch is thicker than 1/2 inch. While it may seem simple enough, it is time-consuming, strenuous work. It is not terribly complicated work, however, and can be done by a homeowner who is up to the task.

How long does it take for grubs to die in a lawn?

Wear protective clothing while treating the lawn and do not enter the area or allow pets or children on the treated grass until it has dried. It may take 10 days for the grubs to die. av-override.

How to get rid of grubs in grass?

Grasp the grass by hand and try to pull it up and away from the soil. Where grubs have been feeding, the grass should pull up easily as though it were newly laid sod. If the grass does not lift easily, lift it in a few areas with the tip of a dirt shovel.

What insecticide is used to kill grubs?

Treating with Insecticide. Imidacloprid is a good insecticide for homeowners to use if they are not hiring a professional. It will kill the grubs of chafers, black turfgrass ataenius, billbugs, June bugs and more. The application rate is 3 teaspoons per 1,000 square feet.

What bugs eat grass roots?

Billbugs, black turfgrass ataenius and June bugs as well as European and masked chafers are just a handful of the possible species whose grubs may be eating your grass roots. A lawn professional can identify the exact species.

What do grubs eat?

The word grub is a general term used to identify the larval stage of certain beetles. They feed on the roots of grasses, damaging or even killing the grass. A variety of insects' larvae (or grubs) feed on grass roots.

What is a grub?

The Grub Problem. A grub is what the larva of various insects is called, especially beetles. So just as butterflies and moths have larval forms known as "caterpillars," the Japanese beetle, for example, has a grub as a larval form (because they curl up, grubs appear to have C-shaped bodies).

What is a grub in a lawn?

Their grub is 1 1/4-inches long, white, with a reddish-brown head. Having grubs in your lawn is problematic on three scores: The grubs, themselves do damage, eating grassroots, thereby damaging the grass. If you spot large dead patches of grass in your lawn, grubs could be the cause.

How do grubs affect lawns?

Having grubs in your lawn is problematic on three scores: 1 The grubs, themselves do damage, eating grassroots, thereby damaging the grass. If you spot large dead patches of grass in your lawn, grubs could be the cause. 2 If they are Japanese beetle grubs, once they mature into adult beetles, they may eat the leaves on several of the plants that you are landscaping with, including rose bushes and Japanese maple trees. 3 Likewise, adult June bugs eat the leaves of landscape plants, such as oak trees. They also damage grass blades. 4 Moles eat grubs, so having grubs in your lawn is an open invitation to moles to come on in and set up shop. Thus grub control is a central pillar in mole control, too. Another pest that eats grubs (and that you may, therefore, be attracting to your yard if you allow grubs to flourish in your lawn) is the skunk.

How many grubs are in a square foot of sod?

You shouldn't worry if only a few are present here or there. But you should start worrying if you find 7 to 15 grubs per square foot.

What pests eat grubs?

Another pest that eats grubs (and that you may, therefore, be attracting to your yard if you allow grubs to flourish in your lawn) is the skunk.

What do June bugs eat?

Likewise, adult June bugs eat the leaves of landscape plants, such as oak trees. They also damage grass blades.

Do grub killers need water?

Your lawn's need for water may conflict with product instructions for your grub killer. Since most plant protectants require proper application at a specific time relative to the life cycle of the target species, consider this timing and how it relates to the development of your new grass.

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