How Natural Predators Kill Lawn Grubs
Biological predators, like birds, raccoons, moles and more, are an option when it comes to grub control for lawns. You can choose to leave your soil exposed to welcome animals to devour the pests. For example, you can use bird feeders to attract birds to your yard to feast on the grubs. But do keep in mind, animals will dig holes in your lawn, which can cause further damage to your yard.
Lawn Grubs: What Exactly Are These Icky Creatures
Grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles, June beetles, chafers, and other beetles.These white, C-shaped grubs have soft squishy bodies with legs near their head. They feed on grass roots and organic matter in the soil, causing sections of grass in the lawn to die. It can happen really fast. One day youre looking out at your healthy lawn, two days later its wiped out entire patches will be brown, dry, and wilted. Why didnt you see it coming? Because lawn grubs are super sneaky. Theyre underground, out of sight, feasting on your lawns tender roots, which kills the grass.
How To Treat Grub Damage
After treating your lawn for grub damage, its vital to restore your turfgrass to its former lush, green appearance. For best results, repair grub damage in the fall or early spring. Treating grub damage at this time gives the lawn a better chance of growing and becoming healthy again.
To treat grub damage, the first step is to rake off dead grass and remove thatch. Next, use a lawn aerator to perforate the lawn with small holes. This action allows nutrients to get to the roots, prevents compaction, and results in a healthy lawn. Then, reseed the bare patches of lawn with grass seed.
After you have reseeded the lawn to repair grub damage, thoroughly water the grass.
Proper lawn grub prevention, natural lawn fertilization, and proper mowing will keep your turfgrass in excellent healthfree from white grubs.
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Get Rid Of Lawn Grubs With Our Help
Dont let your lawn fall victim to the ravages of lawn grubs. The friendly neighborhood lawn technicians at Green Lawn Fertilizing are here to help. We know how to end grub infestations the natural way to prevent you from experiencing the problems associated with lawn grubs. Give us a call today at 888-581-5296 for a free lawn-care estimate.
Natural Control Of Lawn Grubs
Theres also a non-toxic Lawn Grub killer made from Neem Oil extract.
Applied as a foliar spray or soil drench, it is consumed by Lawn Grubs feeding on the plant and disrupts their ability to feed, causing starvation and death.
Used properly, Neem Oil extract is safe for humans and does not target beneficial insects such as Bees, Butterflies and Ladybugs.
Always read the safety directions and instructions on the product label before use.
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Replace Your Lawn With Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is not a natural product, but it is worth adding to this list because it is an effective option that requires no toxic pesticides or repeated treatments. Replacing your natural grass lawn with synthetic turf is a sure way to keep a grub population from taking hold in your lawn and destroying it. Plus, you can enjoy a lush, green lawn throughout the year that looks, feels and functions like natural grass without grub problems or the mowing, watering, weeding, aerating, edging, fertilizing and other tasks that are required to maintain a healthy, natural lawn.
Common Signs Of A Lawn Grub Infestation
- Increased bird activity on your lawn
One of the most easily spotted symptoms is an increase in bird activity on your lawn. These grubs make a great snack for the local birds and youll find them popping over to your place for lunch!
- Spongey lawn
A spongy lawn can also be a good indicator of grub activity.
- Brown patches in your lawn
Brown patches that gradually spread may also be a sign that grubs are present.
But if you are looking to confirm for certain if they are there then there are a couple of tests you can try.
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Get Rid Of Grubs For Good
Though grub populations can be an unsightly annoyance, there are several different ways to reduce their numbers while still looking out for your yards health. Make sure to monitor your grass for brown spots and look into lasting, natural solutions for grub infestations!
The best way to get rid of grubs is to use natural methods that will help keep grubs away for good rather than using pesticides and having a recurring problem year after year.
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Why Are Grubs Bad
A large grub population can decimate a vegetable garden, flower bed or natural grass lawn, but most serious grub issues that homeowners deal with have to do with their lawns. While a small population is generally not an issue and will not destroy your grass, a population of 10 or more grubs per square foot can cause significant damage.
The damage caused by grubs is largely due to their diet, which consists primarily of grass roots, as well as other organic matter in the soil. As they eat the roots of your grass, they destroy the root system, which means your grass will not get the water and soil nutrients it needs to stay healthy. This will lead to patches of grass that are brown, dead and easy to pull out of the ground.
A significant grub population can also lead to lawn, flowerbed, and garden destruction indirectly as birds, raccoons, and other grub-eating critters tear up your lawn or garden to get to the grubs.
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Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Grubs In Garden
Many gardeners have dealt with the irritation of finding grubs in the soil among their plants. These critters are voracious root-eating worms that turn into leaf-eating adult beetles .
Its not a pretty sight, seeing fat white worms crawling around, eating the roots of your crops, and damaging your lawn.
If youre reading this article, then youre likely seeking natural, harmless ways of getting rid of grubs once and for all.
Fortunately for you, there are plenty of methods you can use to rid your garden of grub bugs without harming your plants.
Use Neem Oil Or Azadirachtin
Azadirachtin is a component of neem oil. While many people think neem oil and Azadirachtin are the same things, neem oil contains very little Azadirachtin.
As such, people usually buy concentrated Azadirachtin to use on their lawns. According to one study, Azadirachtin application on Kentucky bluegrass killed Japanese beetles at 5x the products label rate.
Neem oil is another pest control option. Pure neem oil deters the grubs from feeding, growing, and laying eggs. For best results, mix neem oil with water and spray the diluted solution on affected areas.
Pros: Both options are affordable Azadirachtin is classified by the EPA as relatively non-toxic , while neem oil is considered non-toxic, which means it wont harm people or non-target organisms.
Cons: Both neem oil and Azadirachtin require regular reapplication despite its efficacy at killing larval Japanese beetles, Azadirachtin wont kill mature beetles or deter them from laying eggs.
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Preventive Insecticides That Will Prevent Grub Damage Next Fall And Following Spring
These products are used to prevent future grub problems, not to control the grubs present in the lawn in the spring. 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 neighbors 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.
In addition, grub control products that contain the active ingredient chlorantraniliprole are safe for bees, even when weed flowers are sprayed. Finally, avoid spray drift or granular spreader drift to flower beds when applying thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin or any insecticide for grubs other than chlorantraniliprole
A Summary For Successful Grub Control
- Check the bag or bottle to determine what active ingredient the product contains.
- Do not use products containing ONLY lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin or permethrin for any phase of grub control.
- Do not use preventive compounds such as clothianidin, thiamethoxam or imidacloprid now. Use them in June or July to control grubs that would be damaging turf in the fall. Applying them now will allow some of the chemical to leach through the turf or break down to the point that not enough insecticide will be there in July to control grubs.
- The preventive compound chlorantraniliprole should ideally be applied in April or May to control grubs that would be damaging turf in the fall as it will take longer for the material to move to where the grubs will be feeding in July.
- To kill grubs in the spring or fall, use carbaryl or trichlorfon.
- Always wear rubber gloves and rubber boots when applying insecticides to turfgrass.
- Make sure to irrigate the lawn with at least 0.5 inches of water* and allow the grass to dry before allowing anyone or pets into the treated area. Irrigation is essential for the chemical to be most effective.
- Store insecticide products in a locked cabinet not accessible to children.
- Proper fertilization is important to prevent and allow the lawn to recover from grub damage.
- Mow lawns immediately before applying an insecticide for grubs to remove weed flowers and protect bees.
- Apply in spring or fall to active grubs.
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Make A Homemade Grub Killer With Borax
Before you consider making a homemade grub killer using borax, it is important to note that borax contains boron, and too much boron will kill your grass. If you use a borax grub killer repeatedly on your lawn or in flowerbeds or garden beds, the boron will accumulate in the soil and nothing will grow. So, this option should be used sparingly, if at all.
If you choose to use borax, the simplest recipe is to add one tablespoon of borax with warm water in a spray bottle. Then, use the spray bottle to distribute the borax-water solution on areas where you have found grubs. You will need to repeat this treatment until you have eradicated the grub population, so remember the part about boron accumulating in the soil over time before you choose this option.
Other recipes for borax grub killers include mixing onion, peppers or garlic in the warm water with the borax.
Natural Methods To Get Rid Of Grubs
There are a few different types of natural grub solutions that will work well in an organic, chemical-free lawn. A tactic called integrated pest management is a natural way of controlling insect infestations in lawns and gardens.
Many gardeners use these tactics because they dont negatively impact grass health and growth. Traditional pesticides will kill off the initial grub population, but they often dont prevent the issue from returning the following season.
Integrated pest management introduces natural predators and beneficial bacteria and fungi to address an insect infestation. A few types of predators, bacteria, and fungi are particularly helpful for grub infestations as weve outlined below:
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Best Recommended Company For Grub Control And Prevention
Grub control can be confusing and time-consuming for many homeowners, and some find the waiting period concerning because you wont know if the treatment has worked for several years in some cases. Hiring a professional lawn care company to handle your treatments is often a better idea and yields faster, guaranteed results.
We strongly recommend TruGreen as a professional lawn maintenance company. It provides a huge array of services to help remove grubs and other insects and keep your lawn and property looking beautiful and lush. Its prices are reasonable, its results are based on a soil test and science, and it guarantees your satisfaction. Check out TruGreens plans and services to find one that works for you.
Read our TruGreen Review to learn more about its services.
- Large variety of plan options tailored to homeowners wants and needs
- All services are backed and performed by TruExpert Certified Specialists
- Services provided in 49 states
our rating9.5
Apply Neem Oil Homemade Grubworm Killer
Neem oil has insecticidal properties and is effective in repelling grub worms in lawns and gardens. This natural pesticide deters grubs from feeding, laying eggs, and growing into adults, thus breaking their cycle and helping in their control and stopping lawn damage.
To use neem oil recipe to get rid of grubs naturally, mix neem oil with water and spray it on a grub-infested lawn using a hose-end sprayer. Apply generously over the areas with dead patches of grass to make sure you target the larvae.
Another common homemade recipe for getting rid of grubs naturally is dawn dish soap. While it is not 100% effective at controlling grubs, it can help control mild infestations in your lawn.
To get rid of grubs naturally using dish soap, mix dawn soap with water and spray it over the infested area. The dish soaps solutions smothers and suffocates grub worms and Japanese beetles, killing them in the process. This DIY solution can also kill adult beetles and prevent them from laying eggs in your lawn.
According to the Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Insecticidal soaps kill by suffocation, they appear to disrupt the cellular membranes of the insect, and they remove protective waxes that cover the insect, resulting in dehydration.
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How To Check Your Lawn For Grubs
What Are Lawn Grubs
Lawn grubs are the wriggly, worm-like larvae of different types of beetles, like Japanese Beetles and June Bugs, that hatch in the spring and summer. These pests are roughly an inch long, curl up into a C-shape when disturbed, burrow into your lawn, and feed on your grassroots. In small quantities, theyre fine, but if large populations are left unchecked, they can do serious damage.
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Introduce Natural Predators To Eat The Grubs
Grubs have plenty of natural predators. While predators like raccoons and moles will damage your yard, others wont.
Birds like chickadees, blue jays, and robins, for example, love grubs and will happily eat them all day long. Backyard chickens will also graze the yard and pick up grubs.
To use birds as a natural control method for grubs, make your yard as attractive as possible for the winged visitors.
Add bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses around your yard. This will attract beneficial bird species and help keep your yards grub populations in check.
Pros: Easy, non-toxic, safe for households with kids and pets.
Cons: Birds may damage vegetable gardens or potted plants.
How To Get Rid Of Grubs In Lawn: 6 Effective Ways + Natural Control
If there are grubs in your lawn, youll start to notice a change in the shade of your turfgrass. Browning of grass during summer and early fall is a likely sign of white grub worms causing the damage. The key to getting rid of lawn grubs is first identifying their signs, and then applying the best control method as I am going to show you here.
The white grub worms in your lawn are a larval stage of scarab beetles. As soon as winter ends, these worms become active when warmth kicks in. They start to damage your lawn by eating grass roots at a high rate.
If you fail to identify and kill lawn grubs on time, theyll develop into pupae, and later into full-grown beetles. The beetles will later start eating lawn grass and other foliage in your yard, causing even further plant damage.
But how do you know youre dealing with grubs in your lawn and not a disease or other problems?
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Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Grub Worms In Your Lawn
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Grub worms damage your lawn by feeding on the roots, and eventually turn into adult beetles that eat the leaves of other prized plants in your garden. Many homeowners simply treat their lawn with a chemical grub control product, or grub killer, once or twice a year. But there are also a number of natural methods that can be effective ways to get rid of grub worms. Check out the following tips from our readers on how to get rid of grubs naturally.
Q: I have white grub worms all over my garden and I hate to use pesticides. Are there any natural methods to get rid of them?
Answer 1: Earth-friendly beneficial nematodes seek out and kill grubs and other soil-inhabiting insects. They come on a sponge that you soak in water, put in a sprayer and spray your dirt or lawn. They will multiply over time and continue to kill grubs. They have nematodes that seek and destroy flea larvae too. Here’s what one reader says about his experience with nematodes: “Works great. Did my yard last year, my dogs never have fleas unless we go someplace else. The nematodes for grubs work equally as well. Had them in my compost pile, wiped them out. No more grubs!” .
Answer 5: Other readers have seen results using neem oil. Mix as directed with water and spray affected areas of your lawn to deter beetles from laying eggs, as well as keep grubs from feeding. .
