While the variety of grub control products is not as extensive as the variety of grubs, there is still plenty to sort through. Grubs are essentially larvae of different insects, with white grubs being the most prevalent in North America. Most grub removal products focus on white grubs, with Japanese beetle larvae being the prime target. Grub control products require precise timing, so if you are thinking of trying a do-it-yourself pest control plan, follow product instructions exactly as directed. Grubs can quickly infest a lawn, so do not waste valuable time by ignoring the instructions of your grub control products.
Pick Your Poison
Using insecticides is a common grub solution, whether you are utilizing a professional exterminator or trying out do-it-yourself pest control. There are two basic grub removal methods that involve pesticides, curative and preventive, and several different products to go with either.
Curative Grub Control Products
Curative grub control products should be applied in the spring or fall when the grubs are recently hatched. Products containing Sevin (a.k.a. carbaryl) or Dylox (a.k.a. trichlorfon) are both curative grub control products. Be certain to closely follow the watering instructions, as well as the timing, to achieve effective grub removal. (Contacting a local master gardener or agriculture center will provide you with the best advice on timing.)
Bayer Advanced 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules
- Easy to spread granules
- New high-efficiency granules provide 50% higher concentration
- Covers 5,000 square feet
- Active ingredient: 9.3% Dylox
Sevin-10 Bug Killer Dust
- No-Mix, Ready-To-Use
- 5% & 10% formula
- In convenient bags and shaker canisters
Preventive Grub Control Products
Insecticides used in preventive grub control products, Merit (imidacloprid) and Mach 2 (halofenozide), are best used right before any eggs hatch. The issue with this method is that you must apply it before you are certain any grubs even exist. Yet, if grub control has been an issue for you in the past or you know of a neighborhood infestation, then preventive grub control products are a safe bet.
Bayer Advanced Season-Long Grub Control Granules
- One application kills grubs all season long
- Promotes vigorous root growth
- Contains Merit
Greenview Grub Preventer and Killer
- Season-long protection
- Covers up to 7,500 square feet
- Contains Mach 2
Go Green
Some of the most widely used grub control products are all natural. As with all grub control products, timing – along with other directions – are crucial to achieving successful grub removal. Organic grub control products can be very appealing to someone tackling do-it-yourself pest control. And, natural grub control products give parents and pet owners the added benefit of peace of mind.
Milky spore is a bacteria that is only harmful to the Japanese beetle grub, the most prolific of all white grubs. Spread the spores whenever larvae is present using a special tube from the store, if necessary. Once the milky spores are in the soil, the beetle grubs ingest the bacteria. The bacteria replicates inside the larvae and eventually exterminates the grub. As the grub decomposes, more of the milky spore bacteria are released into the earth. For small infestations, a single treatment may be enough, but have patience as this can be a slow process.
- St. Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Powder
- Duncraft Milky Spore Powder
Another form of organic pest control comes from a surprising place: nematodes. Beneficial nematodes are parasites that carry bacteria, which can exterminate many lawn pests, including grubs. Beneficial nematodes use grubs and other lawn pests as hosts. They crawl inside the body of their host and release bacteria to slowly kill the pest. The nematodes feed on the bacteria and ensuing dead grubs, living off of the remaining larvae and continually killing the pests.
Some beneficial nematodes are used to kill other pests, namely fleas, so it is important to look for a grub control product. Nematodes labeled as
heterorhabditis bacteriophora or steinernema scarabaei are both known to be potent grub control products. (Currently only the
H. bacteriophora variety is available in the U.S.)
Arbico Organics NemaSeek
- Garden size package contains 10 million nematodes
- Treats 3,200 square feet
- Product specifications: H. bacteriophora