Click on the links below for more:
Healthy Lawns Defy Grubs!
Healthy grass is not attractive to grubs.
It's true. Healthy lawns fight back so it is important to provide lawn grasses with the correct maintenance. Lawns need adequate water, fertilizer, good drainage, adequate sunlight and a slightly acid soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. They need to be mowed often and mowed high.
There are many types of grubs that feed on grass roots. There's chafer beetles and crane flies that deposit their eggs in the soil. The eggs develop into large juicy grubs that provide a tasty treat for birds and critters. As the animals feed on the grubs they tear the grass apart. Netting is often placed overtop the lawn to stop the feeding frenzy, but it's not a solution. If you want to get rid of the grubs naturally, allow the feeding to commence as it is a free non-chemical solution. Once they have finished, it is time to repair your lawn, but more importantly, you must change your lawn maintenance to deter the insects from depositing their eggs in the first place.
Beneficial nematodes are touted as a solution to grub damage in lawns but if the incorrect maintenance continues after the nematodes have done their job, the grubs will return. Caveat emptor; nematodes are quite tricky to use. You must purchase the correct nematodes for the grubs and they work only if they are applied at the right time of year under the correct conditions. Patience is also important as it take up to 3 years to fully control an infestation.
As mentioned previously, correct maintenance is important. Lawns full of moss are really prone to grub infestations. Lawns that don't receive adequate water, especially in the summer also are prone. Grass that has been cut too short and ones that are hungry are also vulnerable.
There are many types of grubs that feed on grass roots. There's chafer beetles and crane flies that deposit their eggs in the soil. The eggs develop into large juicy grubs that provide a tasty treat for birds and critters. As the animals feed on the grubs they tear the grass apart. Netting is often placed overtop the lawn to stop the feeding frenzy, but it's not a solution. If you want to get rid of the grubs naturally, allow the feeding to commence as it is a free non-chemical solution. Once they have finished, it is time to repair your lawn, but more importantly, you must change your lawn maintenance to deter the insects from depositing their eggs in the first place.
Beneficial nematodes are touted as a solution to grub damage in lawns but if the incorrect maintenance continues after the nematodes have done their job, the grubs will return. Caveat emptor; nematodes are quite tricky to use. You must purchase the correct nematodes for the grubs and they work only if they are applied at the right time of year under the correct conditions. Patience is also important as it take up to 3 years to fully control an infestation.
As mentioned previously, correct maintenance is important. Lawns full of moss are really prone to grub infestations. Lawns that don't receive adequate water, especially in the summer also are prone. Grass that has been cut too short and ones that are hungry are also vulnerable.
Chafer beetle.
|
Leatherjacket, the larva of the cranefly.
|
Maintenance Tips to Discourage Lawn Grubs
- Mow lawns long at 3 inches to prevent the adults from reaching the soil and injecting their eggs. In summer raise the mower to 4 inches. This also helps build a stronger grass with a bigger root system.
- Water in summer: at least one inch a week. Don't allow the lawn to get so dry it turns brown as drought encourages grubs and weeds.
- Lime: Apply dolomite lime according to the instructions in spring and if moss still persists, again in fall, for the first year. In the second year, one application should be sufficient. A soil pH test is a good idea. Soil pH for lawns should be 6.0 to 6.8. If the soil is too acidic, the grass plants become weak and the moss takes over, which grubs seem to love.
- Iron: An application of ferrous sulfate gets rid of the moss, turning it brown; it also provides the grass with iron. Cold, wet weather and areas that receive too much shade inhibits iron uptake. Maybe that's why we have such an issue with lawn grubs in British Columbia.
- Iron is an essential trace element for most plants, including grasses. Since mossy grasses are prone to grubs, getting rid of the moss and feeding the grass some iron is an easy way to make the lawn healthier so it can fight back. Ferrous sulfate is available as a liquid and granular. The liquid works faster, but the granular is retained longer in the soil. Follow the instructions on the manufacturer's instructions and don't over apply to prevent iron toxicity.
- Check the maintenance schedule for methods to improve lawn health and soon your lawn should start to show improvement. Be patient and be kind to your lawn, after all it wants to live too!
Click on the links below for more: