Grubs! How do I eliminate them?

[r0GuE]

I've heard of milky spore, but I am dubious of its effectiveness, especially in a place that gets hard winters. But if you disagree, let me know.

Anyway, I see the brown spots comming, and I really don't want those grubs killing my lawn again. I have little kids, but if I have to use chemicals, I can keep the kids in for a week or two. How do I eliminate these things?

 

[johnday]

Rogue; Dig them up and send them to daedong. I've heard the Aborignes like them down there!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There are 2 common grubs that we typcially see. Both look very similar. One is the grub that becomes a Japanese beetle, those are easily killed with Milky Spore. The other grub, which causes much more lawn damage (brown spots) is the Masked Chafer Beetle's grub, it just like the Japanese Beetle grub is white and about 2/3 to 3/4 of an inch long. Unfortunately Milky Spore is NOT an effective treatment for these grubs. Try "beneficial menotodes" that are available from many of the natural or organic garden suppliers. You could check Garden's Alive or one of hte other mail order places, they have a website Gardens Alive Website

By the way, you don't have to hide the kids indoors with this product.

 

[RICHARDG]

I think all grass [so called] problems is caused by to much of every thing,,,two much mowing,,to much attemps at applying fertilizers and such,[chemicals],etc,,,my grass don't get mowed till you have to mow it,,every two weeks,don't put nothing on it,and of course would never consider watering it,,,like clover,dandelions in spring,and any kind of grass that grows and looks like grass,leave clippings on yard,etc,,,,the only time I ever have any brown spots,is when it ain't rained for a month,,then when it does rain,you know what happens?,grass gets green again. thingy

 

[daedong]

John.
The grubs that the Aborignes eat live in the wood of trees. Tasty never the less /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I think Bob meant beneficial nematodes. They are your best bet, but down here in Texas, the local armadillos are also pretty effective. Of course, your lawn gets torn up by those critters (the armadillos, not the nematodes /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

 

[RichZ]

Rogue, in your location in PA, I gotta guess what you have are Japanese Beetle Grubs. Milky spore is about the most effective and safest treatment. I've used milky spores, hard winters have no effect on them, because in the winter it is in it's almost indestructible spore form. The first year you put it down, you'll see a great deal of improvement, by the second year after you put it down, the grubs are gone. You only have to apply it once, and the spores stay in the soil waiting for any grubs that come in contact with them. It can't be any easier, safer or more effective than that!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I think Bob meant beneficial nematodes </font>

Bill . . . right you are. I am a really crummy typist, I know what I want to type but my fingers don't often follow.

And the reason that I suggested them is because they kill the grubs of the bettle that does the most lawn damage. The Japanese beetle is a day feeder and destroys foilage so people are well aware of them becuase they often mass on plants and nearly strip the clean. The Masked Chafer beetle is a night feeder; many people don't even know about them because they are pretty elusive. It is larger than the Japanese beetle an is a caramel or milk chocolate color. If you turn on your flood lights you MAY see a few of them buzzing the lights, but they don't mass like the Japanese beetle does. The grub of the Masked Chafer beetle is very distructive to lawns, far more so than the grub of the Japanese beetle. The Masked Chafer beetle ranges at least through the midwest region, I would presume pretty much anywhere in climate zones 5 and 6 possibly a much wider range than that, but I know they are at least in zones 5 and 6 so Pennsylvania would likely be in their range.

 

[MossRoad]

You could get some moles!

Just kidding! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[r0GuE]

I swear I'm gonna do that milky spore next spring. Give them time to take hold before grub season in August Sept. I took to long figuring out what was happening, and now the lawn is on the brink. I bought some Sevin at Lowes last night. I will get it one and hopefully Ivans remnants will come up here like the last one did. We had 3-6 inches overnight that time.