As you work in your garden, then you might come across C-shaped, whitish grubs in soil. They have brown to tan heads and six stubby, brown legs. The grubs are the larvae of various sorts of scarab beetles. Most of the grubs feed on plant roots, but some feed on decaying organic matter. Although white grubs may appear formidable, an occasional grub usually doesn’t cause substantial damage to plants. Spring is a fantastic time to gauge white grubs’ presence and their population level.
Keep Lawns Healthy
The lawn area most likely to include grubs is the yard. Numerous scarab beetles lay their eggs in turfgrass; those beetles include the masked chafer, May and June beetles as well as also the black turfgrass ataenius. A wholesome lawn can withstand some damage from grubs without showing symptoms. So in spring, follow good mowing, mowing and fertilizing practices to keep your lawn just as healthy as possible. Aerate and dethatch the lawn since aeration destroys a range of grubs.
Monitor for Lawn Grubs
In spring, lawn grubs are large and easily seen. They soon become pupae to your resting phase and after that hatch as adults in early summer. Although usually the best time for grub control steps would be in mid to late summer, spring monitoring will provide you an notion of the grub population’s amount. With a sharp spade or shovel, cut through the grass so it is possible to roll back a flap of the turf and appear at the main area. Count the grubs present in 1 square foot of lawn grass roots, using a few 1-square-foot samples. In case the trials average six or fewer grubs, then the grub population level is reduced enough for yard damage from grubs to be unlikely. Home lawns infrequently have severe enough grub infestations to warrant treatment with pesticides. If the amount of infestation is near the threshold of six grubs per 1 square foot, then track the grub population in late summer or fall as well.
Manage Lawn Grubs
If therapy is necessary, consider using beneficial nematodes, which are parasites of white grubs and destroy them. The microscopic wormlike creatures can kill 50 percent or more of white grubs without undermining naturally occurring parasites and predators that also reduce grub levels. Buy nematodes from a reputable provider, and keep them alive until you use them. Apply nematodes once the grubs are active and present, which is usually late spring, summer or early fall. Determining which kinds of nematodes are successful against the sorts of grubs in your yard is essential. Don’t use the nematodes unless temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During hot weather, wait until cooler evening temperatures prior to their program. Mix the live nematodes with water, and apply them with a hose-on sprayer, after the label directions for the specific kind of nematode you use. Then irrigate the yard with about 1/4 inch of water. Additional irrigation sessions might be asked to keep the soil moist but not soggy so the nematodes can move through it freely. Yet another nematode program two weeks following the initial one may be needed.
Monitor Non-Lawn Areas
White grubs you find in compost heaps or piles of plant debris are probably larvae of green June beetles, large, metallic-green and brownish insects. The adults fly in summertime, eating ripe and overripe fruits. The grubs consume decomposing plant material as opposed to live origins. In spring, remove piles of old plant substance, and turn compost piles, removing and destroying the grubs as you find them, to lessen the amount of grubs that can eventually become green June beetle adults.