Grubs, or larval stages of beetles, can wreak havoc in natural grass lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens. Individual grubs might not cause too much damage, but large populations can destroy plants rapidly.
An assortment of natural remedies may help alleviate grub infestation. These treatments are non-toxic and safe for humans, animals and pollinators alike.
Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic roundworm-like creatures found in soil that parasitize the aboveground stages of insect pests. Nematodes have proven particularly effective against grubs, Japanese beetles, June beetles and other garden beetle larvae as well as caterpillars, flea beetles and other soil-dwelling pests that damage garden plants, lawn grasses and flowers.
Nematode treatments are simple and cost-effective ways to protect soil against pests and diseases. Available at many home and garden centers or online, nematodes should ideally be applied after rainfall or when watering the garden if possible; otherwise lightly aerate it prior to using nematodes on it for best results.
Milky Spores nematode is widely recognized as one of the most effective nematodes available, killing grubs within weeks when applied in appropriate conditions. As Milky Spores are nontoxic to other organisms in soil or humans and pets alike, yet highly effective at killing grubs.
Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly referred to as Bt, is a natural biological agent used to combat grubs and other insect larvae. Bt comes in different strains designed specifically to kill specific types of insects; one strain called Bt galleriae has proven particularly successful at killing curly-leaf beetle larvae which feed on vegetable crops.
Root knots, twisted roots, leaning or dying grass and wilting flowers can all be telltale signs of an infestation by grubs. Once damaged roots cannot absorb water and nutrients necessary for their survival – leading to plants turning brown or gray before eventually dying off completely.
Additionally, gardeners have found that mixing equal parts vinegar and dish soap together in a spray bottle works effectively against grub infestation. When making this solution, spray it onto soil around infested plants in a consistent fashion; repeat if necessary. Nematodes may also be buried into the soil to stop them coming up to the surface and attacking plants directly.
Milky Spores
An infestation of grubs in your vegetable garden can wreak havoc. Their larvae attack plant roots, leaving them damaged or dead; they also nibble away grass and flowers for sustenance. Roots provide water and nutrients needed by plants, so when damaged by grubs they affect every aspect of their growth; serious problems could reduce harvest yield or even kill off entire plants! However, natural solutions exist for managing them effectively.
Once you suspect an infestation of grubs, check for signs of their damage by looking out for their telltale signs – slimy white or yellowish-white larvae feeding on grass roots and flowers; white- or brown-tinged vegetable roots becoming white or brown; slow growth from garden plants etc.
Milky spore, a naturally-occurring disease that targets beetle grubs, is a safe and effective solution for dealing with garden grub issues. Spread by beetles, the disease works by infecting them with bacteria that causes their death; powder form of Milky Spore can then be applied directly onto lawn or garden soil surfaces for easy application; protective eyewear and gloves should be worn when handling this product as its ingredients could irritate sensitive skin surfaces.
Apply fungicide to areas in your garden where there has been evidence of grub infestation. Apply it in late summer or early fall when activity peaks and they’re nearer the surface; over time the fungicide will work to infect and kill these pesky creatures; though full elimination could take several years.
Assist natural predators in controlling an grub infestation by placing food sources like bird feeders, houses and baths near bird baths for them. Worm-attracting compost or leaf mold added to soil also brings beneficial nematodes that devour grubs; an additional natural solution would be setting out traps with fermented fruit juice mixed with water as bait for them.
Bacillus thuringiensis
There are various home remedies to remove grubs without resorting to harmful pesticides that could pollute groundwater, harm pets and children, or kill beneficial insects. Natural solutions, such as milky spores, nematodes and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have proven successful at controlling them in vegetable gardens. Before resorting to one of these methods however, ensure you have tried other options to minimize the chance that they affect pollinators such as bees or butterflies.
Gardeners typically discover a grub issue when digging up flowerbeds or lawns for planting in spring, late summer or fall. Some homeowners also notice yellowing or wilting grass patches around their yard as signs that indicate there may be an issue with grubs, which feed on roots of plants and grasses while degrading their health resulting in increased weed growth or stunted plant development.
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic parasites that seek out and infect grub larvae, killing them without harming people, pets or plants in any way. Beneficial nematodes are available at gardening centers as well as online.
Attract birds that are natural predators of grubs as another solution. Hang bird feeders, water dishes or birdhouses in your garden to attract chickadees, blue jays and other predators who will hunt down and control grub populations by feasting upon them during their daily visits to your yard. Backyard chickens may also help by foraging for them at night as they roam about.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring bacteria that produces a toxin lethal to herbivorous insects like beetles. When applied as a spray or drench to soil, Bt works by binding with proteins in an insect’s gut wall; once consumed it causes immediate death upon ingestion. Bt has also become popularly used organic gardening where genes engineered into crops allow them to produce the toxin themselves.
Insecticidal Soap
Grubs, or larval forms of beetles like Japanese beetle or June beetle larvae, feed off of grass roots to cause damage that results in poor performance plants that wilt and turn brown or yellowish; severe infestations of grubs can lead to the entire garden or lawn dying in its entirety – the best way to detect an issue with grubs is noticing any bare spots in your yard or garden.
There are various natural methods available for eliminating grubs from soil. Three of the most effective include using nematodes, milky spore, and bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), all parasitic biological agents which attack and eliminate grubs without harming other organisms in the environment or soil. Products like these can often be found at home and garden centers and are easy to use.
Nematodes, in particular, are microscopic worms which hunt and kill grubs without harming people, pets or plants. You can purchase Nematode packages at most home and garden centers along with instructions for their application – providing an ideal chemical-free alternative with no reapplication required!
An infestation of grubs can be catastrophic for vegetable gardens and flower beds, and left untreated could eventually destroy them all. To combat grubs effectively, insecticidal soaps work on contact by washing away their outer cuticle to disrupt cell membranes resulting in leakage as well as physically blocking breathing openings of their target insects leading to their death through suffocation.
Natural methods to get rid of grubs include encouraging birds to devour them. Placing bird feeders around your garden or flower beds and encouraging birds to visit will help decrease grub numbers in your yard; any remaining will simply end up buried underground where they no longer cause damage.
Other natural ways of controlling grubs include providing ample irrigation in gardens or lawns to mitigate root damage caused by these creatures, using hot pepper infused in water as a spray-on deterrent, beer traps for snails and slugs, or beer repellent spray.