Just as with turf weed control, the best strategy for grub control is prevention. Recently we have discovered that our best results actually come from a springtime liquid application for the three major grubs that affect turf grass – Japanese Beetle, June Beetle, and European Chafer Beetle.
Grub control products should be watered-in deeply to work effectively. Over the past several years, we have noticed that the month of June – when traditional grub control is applied – has been warm and dry. So we adapted our grub control program strategy – and the results speak for themselves!
At Green Grass Lawn Care, we provide a preventative grub control treatment in early spring. This is sufficient for most lawns. For heavy grub infestations, a curative grub control treatment may be recommended.
Surface Insect Control
Surface insect control is included in our turf management program on an as needed basis. During the summer months as we fertilize your lawn and spot spray for weeds, we will also check for sod webworm and chinch bug larvae damage. Our early-season grub control program is so effective that we rarely find infestations of these other two turf-eating insects.
A sod webworm infestation is easy to spot; that tell-tale tan moth flying about when you walk across the lawn. Another identifiable factor concerning sod webworm is that they are only found in sunny locations. Chinch bug damage resembles drought damage – there are large brown patchy areas of dead grass. Chinch bugs are often found in sunny dry areas and in sandy soils.
Is grub control toxic? This is a concern for many people. Imidacloprid, or “Merit,” is a synthetic form of nicotine that absorbed by invertebrates, causing calcification within the insect, interrupting nerve function and ultimately death. Merit (Imidacloprid) is not absorbed by humans and pets. It passes through the body within 24 hours. Imidacloprid is used in some 400 different household products, including flea and tick control for dogs and cats and in treatments for head lice. These products are 700% to 1700% more concentrated than the grub control used on your lawn.
