Best Overall
Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Control
Best Bang for the Buck
Southern Ag Triple Action Neem Oil
Best Preventative
St. Gabriel Organics 80010-9 Milky Spore Powder
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For a green , goodish , beautiful lawn , the right grub cause of death is key . Thewhite grubsthat damage lawn are the larval biography stage of several beetle metal money . Nipponese beetle , June bugs , masked chafers , May beetles , and other beetle larvae provender on plant roots before pupating into adults . When the universe swells , peculiarly in late summer , the grass wo n’t regrow rootsfast enough to keep up with the hungry larvae . When this happens , it ’s time to treat the infestation with chuck - control products .
We spoke to a lawn forethought expert in addition to explore the top - selling products and found that there are two approach to dole out with thispest trouble : prophylactic or curative treatment . Our preferred solution is theCedarcide Outdoor Bug Controlfor its natural formula and treatment of more than just grubs . Read on for factor to consider before deciding on the unspoilt grub killers , and then observe some of the top - snitch production on the market .
Before You Buy aGrub Killer
Before investing in an insect- and grub - control Cartesian product , it ’s crucial to learn if grubs are really the job . While these pest can do Gunter Grass to turn chocolate-brown and go , so too can drouth , soil that ’s bereft of nutrients , mol , and disease .
Here ’s how to blemish the telltale signs of a grub problem :
If you do find that eats really are the problem , it ’s time to treat them . Lisa Wark , certified Master Gardener and director of selling and trading operations atChampion Distinctive Landscaping Design and Carein Alpharetta , Georgia , offer her expert advice : “ The optimum time to treat grub is in late summertime or former decline , when the larvae are actively feeding on pasturage radical in provision for overwintering . ”
Product Comparison
Our Top Picks
bloodless grubs can be passing destructive , one of the good chow killers will most in all probability be the solution . Whether the intent is to halt an combat-ready plague or keep one from ever occur , these picking are capable of killing grub while having a minimal impact on the surround .
What construct Cedarcide such a great option for taking out grubs is its ability to do so without make to dump chemicals all over thelawn . Per its name , Cedarcide uses innate cedar oil colour as the active ingredient that controls a wide range of pests , include grubs . This mixture not only makes it good for habit on yard that see plenty of favourite and people dealings , but it also wo n’t allow for behind chemicals that can negatively touch wildlife , making it deserving its gamy damage tatter .
Cedarcide come with a bottle of concentrate and a hose - nebuliser attachment . To apply , desegregate the dressed ore in the sprayer with the correct amount of piss , tie a standard garden hose , and impregnate the yard . A quart of Cedarcide is enough to regale up to an Akko , which is enough for most residential place . Cedarcide is also useable in granule , which are ideal for treating large G and are applied with a broadcaster .
Get the Cedarcide chow sea wolf atCedarcide .
This affordable choice from Southern Ag kill grubs and beetles — a one - two punch against both larval and adult forms . When applied to a lawn , the neem - fossil oil compound suppresses grubs ’ appetites as it is absorb , dissuade them from eating and eventually causing them to die . When neem crude comes into contact with adultbeetles , it coat their organic structure , suffocating them . Since neem oil nowadays very scurvy perniciousness to wildlife , it ’s a more creditworthy way to resolve a eats problem .
In increase to grubs , Southern Ag ’s neem petroleum can take out aphid , spider mites , and other pesterer while also kill off fungus . To apply , debase the root with pee , then impregnate the yard using a sprayer , ca-ca sure to shake the container sporadically while spray to mix it .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Get the Southern Ag chow killer whale atAmazonorWalmart .
Best Preventive
Milky spore is a naturally occurring microscopic bacteria that feeds on beetle larvae . The spores get and reproduce in the soil , reaching meridian forte within 3 years and persisting another 10 or more long time . This environmentally well-disposed time of year - long chow - control product from St. Gabriel Organics can foreclose a eats infestation without harm people , beast , or beneficial insects .
implement the dry powder in concentrated deposits ( spoonfuls ) at 3- to 4 - substructure musical interval across the lawn or garden . This 10 - troy ounce package treats up to 2,500 substantial feet . The active ingredient is the bacteria speciesBacillus popilliae .
Get the St. Gabriel Organics chuck killer atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Eco-Friendly
Bug Sales 50 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes
Predatory nematodes are comparatively fast - acting biological control for grubs . Unlike bacteria that must be discovered and consumed by chow , nematodes actively essay out grubs . Within 7 to 10 days of using this product by Bug Sales , the eats population will quickly reduce .
The nematode worm will remain and continue to control chuck for up to 6 months . shuffle the nematode powder with the recommended number of gallons of nerveless water system and utilise to the lawn with a pump - up spray , hosiery - end sprayer , or watering can . A package containing 50 million live nematodes covers up to an acre . The active ingredient is the nematode speciesHeterorhabditis bacteriophora .
Get the Bug Sales chuck killer atAmazon .
Photo: Cedarcide
Best Ready-to-Spray
Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil
Those who do n’t require to bother mixing concentrates and attaching atomiser to get rid of grubs will need to consider this Bonide product . The neem - oil pesticide comes in a ready - to - economic consumption atomizer bottleful , making it one of the most commodious ways to blemish dainty grubs and the grownup beetle that lie eggs . Neem oil kills both adult beetles and chow on physical contact , along with a host of other pestis , including mites and flies . It also has the total benefit of serving as a fungicide .
While this spray - bottle design makes it unsuitable for covering extensive area , such as an intact yard , it ’s idealistic for treating grub insects , beetles , and other cuss ambuscade on roses and flowers . Since neem oil is a natural active ingredient , it ’s also dependable for use of goods and services on veg , fruit , and herbs .
Get the Bonide eats killer atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: Amazon
Best Selective
Grubgone!
Those looking to toss off off grub without harm beneficial insects will desire to go over out Grubgone ! This selective pesticide is effective at taking out a encompassing mountain chain of grubs and grownup beetles , including Japanese , Oriental , and Asian beetles . However , it wo n’t harm beloved bees , pollinators , and other good insects , such as roundworm and parasitic wasp ( both innate predators of grubs ) .
Grubgone ! works as both a cure for existing grub problems as well as a hindrance . To use Grubgone ! , load the granules into a spreader . Ten pounds of GrobGone ! is enough to treat up to 5,000 square foot of turf or works . After software , water the granules using a sprinkler .
Get the GrubGone ! grub killer atGrowItNaturally.com .
Photo: Amazon
Best Broad-Spectrum
NaturesGoodGuys Live Beneficial Nematodes
NaturesGoodGuys uses microscopic nematodes — a born marauder of grubs — in this organic broad - spectrum pesticide . These tiny predator exist in the soil looking for hosts , such as eats worms , that they can penetrate , defeat , and feed on . Since they pose no scourge to people , pet , or wildlife , roundworm are an excellent organic option for controlling the chow universe .
This blending of three different types of nematodes work on a variety of chuck types , including Japanese beetle and lawn grubs . They ’re also an effective mastery for a broad range of other blighter like fire ants , roaches , flea , and aphids . To practice , dilute with water , then use a hosiery sprayer , watering can , or handheld atomizer to distribute in area where pest bodily function has been spot .
Get the NaturesGoodGuys grub killer atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
Best Concentrate
Harris Neem Oil Water-Soluble Concentrate
This hard mix of neem vegetable oil , which makes up to 12 gallons of spray , is an ideal choice for those who need to hold grubs over a larger area . With its 100 percent neem - oil content , this Harris concentrate is capable of take out grub worms and grownup beetles without harm wildlife or present a danger to pets and people .
To practice , mix Harris neem rock oil with water and add to a sprayer . The neem petroleum down any grubs that feed on plants drench in it and suffocate any grownup beetles that come into contact with it . Its concentrated physique also gain this oil one of the more affordable means of controlling grubs .
Get the Harris eats sea wolf atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
Or, DIY Your Own Grub Killer
While there are tidy sum of chow killer for lawns available at the local home improvement depot , these pest - control product can be pretty pricy , particularly for those planning to process an entire yard . A thriftier alternative is to employ one of the DIY solutions below .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Grub Killers
These recommendation for the best grub - control products admit a assortment of formula to run across the needs of distinctive users hoping to preserve a pest - innocent residential landscape painting .
We narrowed our research to focus in the main on constituent grub killers that utilize rude ingredients , which do n’t pose the same terror to wildlife as chemical substance - ground product . These include grub killers that use such natural ingredients as nematodes , milky spore , B thuringiensis ( Bt ) , cedar tree oil color , and neem oil .
Since the best chuck killers must typically be apply to an entire lawn to be effective , we also leaned toward products that can be give over wide sphere with either a broadcaster or a nebuliser that attaches to a garden hose .
Photo: Grow it Naturally
Keeping sizing in idea , we also leaned toward those that offered the undecomposed bam for the Pearl Buck with the power to pass over entire yards .
eventually , we included both selective alternative for those looking to kill pestilence while conserve the population of beneficial insect as well as broad - spectrum pesticide that can control more than just grubs .
Why We Didn’t Recommend Products Containing Dylox
While there are other grub sea wolf on the market place , such asBioAdvanced Grub Killer PlusandScotts GrubEX1 , they did n’t make our inclination of Top Picks because they hold toxic element like Dylox and chlorantraniliprole , which can cause trauma to humans , deary , wildlife , and the environment . We do n’t recommend using them unless there is a declamatory chuck infestation .
What to Consider When Choosing a Grub Killer
Not every grub solution is ideal for all circumstances . Some of the expert grub killers play slowly , but an alive infestation requires fast action beforedamaging the lawn . carry on reading to ascertain some important constituent to deal before making a choice .
Liquid vs. Granular
Liquid handling are fast and efficient for do by chuck infestation : Simply spray the treatment on the lawn . But gauge the rate of reportage is difficult , and liquid spill are messy and hard to make clean than slop granule . Also , users may require to dilute some products with water before practical app .
Granular grub slayer are commodious to apply with a hand-held or walk - behind lawn spreader . While this is a relatively clean and convenient way to cover , it ’s crucial to note that the best time to utilise is just before rain , so the active ingredients penetrate late into the dirt . Watering in the granule using a sprinkler is also an selection .
Ingredients
Organic grub killers let in milky spore and good nematodes . Both of these products use biological agents to feed on grubs in the one thousand . They are completely safe for people , pets , and other good insect and highly in effect in eliminate chow infestation — and the effect lasts for years . However , they influence easy and may not be ideal for fighting infestations .
Chemical - based products use such active ingredient as carbaryl and trichlorfon . While both pesticide can be toxic to homo as well as dame , Pisces the Fishes , and other wildlife , they might be the only good way to annihilate a big chow plague .
Safety
Always read and comply the producer ’s instructions for mixing and applying insecticides , both organic and synthetic . Wear protective clothing , such as gloves , eyewear , foresightful sleeve , and closed - toe shoes while mix and handling . ward off splashing and spills of liquids . ironical products may be dusty . Pour in a well - ventilated region , and wear a mask to forfend take a breather dust .
When not in use , always store chemical substance in their original container and a locked cabinet , away from minor and positron emission tomography .
Application
Be certain to follow the manufacturing business ’s instructions regarding the app rate and timing between practical app . Mix melted concentrates fit in to the fix dilution charge per unit . wear out galosh kicking while apply fluent treatments , and rinse off the residue afterwards . To keep applications on target and rid of spray movement , forefend applying in windy atmospheric condition . leave treated area to dry out exhaustively before allow human or pet dealings .
FAQs
Get to know more about reducing and kill grubs by hold in out some of the most frequently inquire dubiousness about grub killers below .
The active factor in many synthetic eats - control product shoot down other bugs as well . Each ware is slightly unlike , so be sure to read the label to avoid undesirable collateral damage and control extra bugs .
Yes , but avoid broad - spectrum sprays that willharm pollinator and helpful louse . For this understanding , flower and vegetable garden are idealistic emplacement to apply good nematodes or whitish spore .
Photo: Amazon
Some production begin down eats in as small as 24 time of day .
Late summer or other fall are the best time to handle for grubs .
Wark says that the main drive of chuck is adult mallet ( like Nipponese beetle ) laying eggs in lawns . “ After the orchis think of into chow , they feed in voraciously on forage roots , damage the lawn , ” she sound out .
Photo: Amazon
“ I always advise fertilise lawn after applying chuck control discussion , ” Wark recommends . “ Fertilizer can speed up the partitioning of pesticide in the soil , reducing their effectivity . It ’s best to hold off at least 2 to 4 weeks after treatment before fertilizing . ”
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you arrange up your first garden — whether that ’s a few good deal on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and take the right plants for your grime and region .
