Allow me to introduce you to my friend. The grub. As is often the case with my friends, I'm going to have to kill him. It was this little creature that did this to my lawn ...
Grubs are larvae of different insects. The European Chafer, or Japanese Beetles, or whatever else. No matter what larvae they are from, grubs are hungry little creeps. They're grazers that line up to chew on your lawn roots the way old people line up for Crab night at The Mandarin.
All it takes is a couple of seasons with these grubs to destroy an entire lawn from the underside up. They just keep eating and eating and eating your lawn roots until the lawn says "Forget this ... death would be easier". And it up and dies.
I've had grubs for years and every year my lawn gets worse and worse. But grub control is one of those weird things that has to be done with very specific products, at certain times of the year. It's a process
So this year, what with fixing up the front yard and everything, I decided it was time to figure out how and when to get rid of these stupid, swollen, wet, wormy things.
My first thought was to hold a "Survivor-style" contest on the street and see who could eat the most amount of them, but even though I put out a signup sheet on a clipboard with a pen attached to it all professional like, no one signed up. Apparently my neighbours aren't any fun. Or adventurous. Or maybe they're all just full.
So I went to my local garden centre and asked a girl I know and trust, what I should do.
Nematodes.
That's what she told me. Nematodes. It rang a bell, but I had her further explain. Nematodes are a natural, chemical free way to get rid of grubs. My suspicion flags immediately went up. ALARM, ALARM ... Green bug control never works! Slowly back away. Leave now!
But I heard her out and then went home and did some research. Turns out .... Nematodes really work. They're the #1 chemical free way to get rid of grubs along with many other destructive bugs. If you're looking for a chemical application, check out Merit Grub control. (It's almost 100% effective.)
So what is a nematode? Nematodes are microscopic worms. You apply them to your soil or lawn and the nematodes work their way down into the subsurface where they make their way into the offending bug. In my case, grubs. Within 24-48 hours, the grubs they came in contact with are dead. Simple as that.
Grub control with Nematodes takes place at the beginning of May and late August to Early October. Twice a year. Once when the grubs in your lawn are just coming up to the surface prior to turning into whatever bug they're going to turn into (May), and once when the new eggs have hatched and the new population of grubs is feasting (August - October). If you only think to put nematode control down once, the later application in August or October is the best time. Past October the grubs burrow deeper into the soil where they're harder for the nematodes to find and kill them.
So there you have it. Get rid of those gross grubs that gorge on your grass. Grimmediately.
One package of Nematodes like this costs $25 and will treat 2,000 - 4,000 square feet of lawn. You can order Nematodes on the Internet or find them in a cooler at your garden centre. Note all of the pests it gets rid of. Even termites!
When you open the cardboard box up, inside will be a baggie with a damp sponge inside.
After packaging, the Nematodes work their way into the damp sponge and hang out. As soon as you unfold the sponge you'll see them. They look like a mush blob.
Pour about a gallon of water into a bucket and put your sponge in and swish it around vigorously. Stretch and pull the sponge. You're trying to get all of the Nematodes out. Swish, swish, swish. This bucket is now your concentrate of Nematodes.
You can either apply them with a Nematode sprayer that gets attached to your hose, or ... if you have a smaller lawn, just water them in with a watering can. Fill up your watering can and then add around a cup of the Nematode concentrate.
If you use the watering can method, remember to shake your can of water every so often to make sure the Nematodes are evenly distributed. Otherwise they'll all just sink to the bottom. Now just walk around your lawn and water!
Your package of Nematodes will come with full instructions.
I'll leave the signup sheet on the fence, just in case ...
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So Karen, it is now the middle of October in Nebraska. We just got mole activity in our lawn the last few days.
Would it be a waste of time to put the nematodes down now? Should I just wait til May & do the application then. I hate to spend the money & time on this if it is a mission in futility. We have not had a mole problem for years. I hate to lose my lawn. Help!
Hmm. Well have you dug to see if you actually have grubs? The mole's technically could be going for something else. I'd give a dig to first see if you have grubs and if you do I'd wait until spring to apply the nematodes. ~ karen!
Love these posts, which are most helpful. Ordered my neems the other day, but unfortunately, they won't arrive until the 12th. I'm okay, though, as long as I can see a light at the end of the grub rainbow. My yard is beautiful, but the Japanese beetles are killing me! Actually, my roses and callas. I tried chemicals, but it really doesn't work very well, and did a bit of research, which lead me to nematodes. I'm praying this works, because I enjoy sitting out back enjoying the flowers and birds. Your posts are giving me confidence that I can control the grub problem. Thanks to all!!!! May you enjoy a grubless year! Oh, and me, too!
Where can you get this stuff at? I so need it bad.
Hi Fran. Garden centres carry nematodes. You usually have to ask for them though because they're kept in a refrigerator. ~ karen!
Excellent weblog here! Also your site lots up fast! What host are
you the use of? Can I get your associate link on your host?
I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Just a quick note. If you are converting your lawn to a garden area, nematodes are a must. After you pull your lawn out or kill it off, make sure that you use the nematodes in the fall and in the spring. If you don't, your garden will be full of them. The part of my garden that we did no use nematodes probably has one grub every 4 inches. It is saturated with them. We have had to treat for two years.
We do the backtoedenfilm.com gardening method. One thing we learned is if you have chickens, and you let them out in the fall, the will dig down and make a major dent in your grub population. They think the grubs are New York Steak!
I have never seen nematodes do any damage to my worm population.
My garden area would look so empty if I didn't plant my tomatoes in it, which is why your info is a fantastic help to me! (These plants all came from my little greenhouse ;))
Oh, and, by the way; I've read the articles about eggshells deterring Grubbs. The majority consensus is that eggshells attract Grubbs. Only when the shells are left in larger pieces do they combat Grubbs, because they slice n dice the little pests' outer "skin" as they crawl thru/over the larger shells.
Lezlie
A thousand thank yous for this info! I've been witnessing the food chain for a few years, now: the moles that push up my lawn, plowing all over for their feast of Grubbs.
I'm a beginner gardener.
I have tomato plants, still in containers, that I'm afraid to place into the ground....fear of these Grubbs ruining my first-year of dirt under my nails.
I've actually been considering putting out crushed egg shells laced with dry yeast, on the opposite side of my property.
Egg shells to draw, yeast for the natural rupture, once they ingest.
1K Thanx!
Lezlie
You're welcome Lezlie! And for the record, tomatoes actually really like growing in pots, so no need to worry about that. :) (granted they need to be bigger ones than you brought them home from the garden centre in). ~ karen!
Are these the same Nematodes that knot up roots and end up killing vegetables? If it is you might want to note that. Its very hard to get rid of nematodes once they are in the soil. They have destroyed many hard working gardens.... Just a thought.
No, of course not, lol. These are "beneficial nematodes". The don't hurt anything but grubs. ~ karen
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I have been very happy with milky spore for organic grub control.
http://matthewgustke.com/2014/04/02/organically-controlling-tomato-hornworms-white-grubs/
Thanks Antrhrup - I'll take a look at it. ~ karen!
Ok, cool--it's off to get some---but was wondering, as the other person above, is it safe to use around a dog? Thanks so much in advance!
Sure! They're just weird little microscopic thingamabobs that live deep beneath the grass. ~ karen!
Oh my goodness... Thank God for wonderful people like you! I am running out to Lowes this morning to pick up my new best friends. I will turn them loose this afternoon. We are expecting a good soaking rainfall tonight here in NJ. Thank you Karen!
I never thought I would be so interested in these nasty little garden dwellers but these posts are cracking me up! I have only one question remaining about these nematodes... Can I apply them after I have already planted my veggies? While planting my basil and parsley only two days ago, I came across these little, nasty white worms about 3/4" long if unfurled, but didn't realize they were harmful. Later, as I kept thinking about my garden, I remembered how my garden just fizzled last year... Almost everything seemed to die off suddenly. I bet these little terrors were in the soil back then too. I've already planted basil, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and string beans.... Is it too late to save my veggies now? Can these nematodes be applied after planting? If yes, will they cling to my veggies if they are sprayed on the plant too? It is freaking me out to think that they might cling to a veggie that I will eventually eat. My 6 year old daughter thinks nothing of helping herself to some freshly picked parsley to munch on... And it doesn't occur to her to wash anything first! (I do not use pesticides so that is usually not something I discourage her from doing.). Can I save my plants now or do I need to pluck them all out and start over? How long after treating the soil with nematodes do I have to wait before I can safely plant veggies? (Okay... So I had more than one question!). :-)
Hi Betty - These are beneficial nematodes, so not to worry. They won't harm your vegetables one bit. And they live only underground (they'll die above it) so they won't be clinging onto any parsley. Also, these nematodes have no interest in plants. They're just after the grubs. So your vegetables are safe right where they are. ~ karen!
Still haven't read anything to say these nematodes don't kill the earthworms...does it harm those? And, is it safe for dogs to be on the yard after adding these?
Grubs devoured our garden last year and really put the kaButz to our output. I am using Nematodes this year. We had a big problem with our veggies growing to maturity and then "BOOM" they just die out. I have seen grubs from time to time but never thought they may do this . Also you commented about the Nematodes going after termites??? Karen could you explain when you have a chance. Thank you for your website. I really like it ...jw. griffith
Hi JW, thanks! I'm happy you like my site. As far as the termites go, I'm afraid I can't elaborate any further. I only really knew they went after termites after reading the package, lol. Grubs can definitely eat your vegetable's roots and kill them but I'd have thought you'd be seeing far more of the grubs if they did all that damage. To have enough to take down a whole vegetable garden you'd normally be able to see a bunch of them in every trowel full of soil. Definitely put the nematodes down, but also keep an eye out for other things that might be killing your vegetables. Good luck. ~ karen!
I used Grub Busters Nematodes which can be purchased at homedepot.com and amazon.com with free shipping. They come in a little biodegradable ball and contain the best nematodes to kill grubs.
I find grubs in my composter. Every year I feed them to my chickens.They love and fight over them. Nasty bugs. In my lawn and garden now. And I also have skunks now digging up my flower beds. Got to get some nematodes.
Yup. Skunks are a sure sign of grubs. Break out the nematodes! ~ karen
How long after I spray nematodes can I cut my lawn?
Stuart - As soon as it dries! They soak right into the soil. ~ karen!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for posting this! I found a grub today and flicked it at myself as I was trying to dig it up! Ew!
I have a question: what happens after the grubs are gone? Do you then have a nematode infestation?
And are these the same as roundworms? That's what comes up first when you google 'nematodes'
Hi Kris - There are several different types of nematodes. The ones you buy for grubs aren't detrimental at all. Nematode away! ~ karen