Why do lawns get 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. Milky spore is a beneficial bacterium and natural predator of Japanese beetle grubs. It comes in white powder form and can be released on the affected area of the lawn when grubs are present. When applied, milky spore will release spores which will infect the grubs and continue to multiply.

The spores will reside in the soil for up to 15 years, meaning they will continue their outbreak against future grub invasions. However, this solution may not result in the desired outcome immediately. Milky spore should be used independently of other pest control solutions because it requires the actual grubs present in the soil to take effect. Another natural grub treatment is the use of beneficial nematodes, which are tiny worms that live in the soil and pursue grubs and other pests as hosts while they release infectious bacteria.

Once the nematodes find a grub to reside in, they will release bacteria that kills the host grub. Nematodes will not harm plants, animals or humans, but they will attack pests and insects through built-in homing capabilities. Nematodes can be applied in a liquid form. Like milky spore, nematode pest control treatments should not be applied in direct sunlight. Heavy watering is required immediately before and after applying the liquid nematode treatment.

Neem oil is naturally derived from the seeds of a tree found in India called the neem tree. Neem oil is used as a pest control solution for killing lawn grubs. As gardeners become increasingly concerned about using traditional chemical-based pesticides, alternative pest control solutions are growing in popularity. This is largely due to increasing education and awareness about the harmful impact of chemical pesticides. Many chemical-based pesticides will only get rid of lawn grubs initially, which often leads to the pests returning time and again as they will develop a resistance to the chemicals.

You may have tried do-it-yourself grub-killing solutions to ensure a chemical-free method of pest control. Some DIY solutions call for a combination of household products like mouthwash, lemon juice, liquid dish soap and water to create a spray that can be applied all over your yard. However, this homemade solution only acts as a deterrent for grubs and is not an effective or immediate way to kill them.

Better yet, a treatment that can be applied to grubs at any stage of their life cycle will be a better solution for year-round pest control. It will be necessary to implement an infrequent watering schedule, too. When you do water your lawn, though, make sure to water it deeply to promote deeper and stronger growth of grass roots. Adult billbugs are creamy or brown but not metallic.

They chew holes in grass where they lay their eggs. Adults and their larvae are equally damaging since they feed off the grass roots. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. What Is a Grub? Warning Insecticides are dangerous and best handled by a licensed pesticide applicator. Tip Beetles lay their eggs in moist, irrigated soil. Featured Video. Related Topics. Landscaping Lawn Care. Read More. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for TheSpruce. Dig up a one-foot cube of dirt from your lawn and throw it in a wheelbarrow.

Take some gloves and separate the block while looking for grubs. Grubs travel close to the surface and may not be able to make it to different sections of your property depending on things in the way.

If your house, shed, or other man-made obstacle separates parts of your lawn, the grubs may not be able to move around its structure ultimately keeping them in one area to feed. There are also different microclimates in different soil areas of your lawn. Turf Unlimited will help you take back your lawn from these invaders with our trained professionals. Pest Control Unlimited. Why Are There Grubs in my Lawn?