SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

<b>Timing is everything.</b>
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Grub worms are as ugly as the damage they cause. These pests are so sneaky it is often difficult to even know they are doing damage until it is too late. Worse yet, they usually pick the lushest lawns to feast on.

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Grub worms are white, C-shaped larvae that are in the developmental stage of May, June or Japanese beetles. These pests are found in the soil below the thatch layer of your lawn and feed on the roots of grass plants. When left untreated, grubs can cause severe damage to turf grass in a short period of time.

<b>How can you tell if your lawn has grubs?</b>

Grub damage leaves irregular brown patches and the lawn may have a spongy feel. Sod will roll up like loose carpet, if the roots are already destroyed. The only way to detect that your lawn has grubs is to gently pull up a small section of sod. If you see more than four grubs per square foot, you may have a problem.

<b>The easiest way to stop a grub worm from doing it’s damage is to kill it in the earliest state.</b>
There are several products that you can use, and each has its benefits. Ingested insecticides include: Dylox and Proxol (Trichlorfon), Ficam and Turcam (Bendiocarb), Sevin (Carbaryl), Oftanol (Isofenphos), Mocap (Ethoprop), Dursban (Clorpyrifos), Crusade and Mainstay (Fonofos). These products can be available in liquid, wettable powder and/or granular forms. Some can be applied as early as April and others as late as October. Be sure to read the label for correct times and amounts. It is important to understand that the older a grub worm gets, the harder it is to kill, so early diagnosis will make your job much easier. Even though prices on the ingested insecticides will be less, you must remember that several applications may be required so your labor cost will need to be added into your actual product cost.

The milky spore disease is very effective against Japanese beetle grubs and cycles effectively for years in the soil. Bacteria name for the milky spore disease is: Bacillus popilliae and Bacillus lentimorbus.

For more on Microbial Insecticides use the following link:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_IN081

Here is a great site for information on control of the grubs:
http://entowww.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/L-1131.html
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Edited by - SprinklerWarehouse Irrigator on Mar 30 2002 02:11:52 AM