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natural grub control?

17 years ago

Is there a natural grub control that i can use on our lawn? We had a terrible infestation of Japanese beetles this year but we have well water & i don't want chemicals getting into the well, nor do i want to lose the earthworms we have.

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

User
17 years ago
Try the following products.

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/beneficial-nematodes.html

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/lawn-aerator-sandals.html

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/milky-spore.html
botanybob
17 years ago
Sherlock -- Are you recommending lawn aerator sandals as a control for Japanese beetles? Does this actually work??? Has anyone tried this?
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Hi mboston. First of all, try to find out what is causing the brown patches. If you have St. Augustine grass, it could very well be chinch bug (common this time of year), or I guess it could be grubs too. Do your research and try to find out what you need to treat. Chinch bug can be seen if you inundate the area with water. The bugs climb to the tops of the grass (google it). I have two patches of St. Augustine grass. To prevent chinch bug and grubs, I use Guardian/lawn patrol nematodes. They are a beneficial nematode that attacks the underground pupal stage of certain bugs. Chinch bug, grubs and thrips are some of these bugs. I get mine thru hydro-gardens, but I think other companies sell them as well. It is not a fast fix, like most organic and biological controls, but after a few months, it can be very effective. Call the company and ask to speak to someone about how long it takes, or any questions you may have. A person actually does speak to you there! I also like my garden bugs and refuse to spray. This has worked very well for me. Anna
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I have not heard about milky spore for a long time. Milky spore is a disease that infects various insects and larvae and kills them. From what was discussed back when it was discussed the effectiveness was very hit or miss. Some people reported that you had to use it every year for years for it to be effective some date in the future. Another natural grub control is called beneficial nematodes. BN are a small worm like creature - much smaller than their host insect. BN do not kill the insect directly, but they carry a disease that does kill the insects and grubs without harming mammals, birds, or reptiles. They enter the host body through any opening they can find. At that point the infection is complete and it's a matter of about 48 hours before the host is dead. Then the nematodes hatch about 250,000 more inside the host carcass. The only thing holding these things back from taking over the world is that then need fairly moist soil to move around in. I like to tell people to apply them on day 3 of a 4-day rainstorm. The soil must be wet at first and that is usually enough to take care of your insect issues (including fleas, by the way). If you can keep the soil moist for many days you might get a huge multiplier effect for other insects. The BN that I use come from this place. I get them at a local nursery, but they get them from Hydro-Gardens.
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User
17 years ago
I haven't actually tried Lawn Aerator Sandals it was just a suggestion. But to make sure people don't think I am listing random ideas, I think it would be a good idea if I made my motives clear. A few people have questioned my responses lately and I find it disconcerting at times because I put a lot of thought and research into my posts.

I only recommend things after first looking carefully into them. I research a person's problem in depth and then list the best available ideas I can find for handling it. I find it better to research a problem and suggest possible solutions than to leave the problem go unanswered. That way other people get a chance to come up with something to add, making the solution more complete.

I made my screen name Sherlock Holmes for a reason. I try to do my very best in coming up with a solution where others have failed. But even Sherlock Holmes could not solve everything. There are many problems I won't touch because I feel others can answer them better from their own experiences. My experience is limited, but I make up for that with research. And I continue to learn all the time.

So, when I recommend Lawn Aerator Sandals, I am merely listing a possible idea to try. I never post a solution without first researching it. I do not believe in just guessing a solution. Therefore, if I feel I cannot solve a problem based on the information given, I will either ask for more info or step aside and hope that someone else will come up with something.
heptacodium
17 years ago
natural grub control...moles would be an acceptable answer.

And just because it is a chemical does not mean it must also kill earthworms. Get over the fear of chemicals...chemicals can be good...as I say every time I clean my bathroom.

Personally, the best answer to the question of natural grub control, especially as concerns jap beetle, would be a product called milky spore. It's on the web and I'm willing to bet in your local garden center.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I sooooo disagree with that comment regarding hazards to earthworms. I also disagree with the remark 'Get over the fear of chemicals'. Without the fear (and consequent respect, I would hope), more chemical abuse than already exists would occur. Hepta, you should be more responsible with what you say in a forum such as this, as so many uninformed folks may heed that really crummy advice. Remember, let's 'try' to not do any harm here.

It is very well documented that some of the most commonly used insecticides, herbicides, AND fungicides do severe damage to earthworm populations. To say nothing about other important soi biota.

Sherlock, though I find the thought of using the spiky soil aerators for grub control interesting (and kinda rewarding), know that spikes, when used frequently, can cause soil compaction. Calling them 'aerators' is not an accurate label. ;-) I have to admit, that I might be tempted....if I had a hot-bed of grubs and the kind of soil I didn't have to worry about compacting.

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