A grub-free lawn...naturally
Did your lawn suffer from a grub infestation in the spring? By taking action you can prevent further damage next growing season.
The European chafer and Japanese beetle are the most common grubs in Ontario. Adults breed through the early summer and lay eggs in your lawn, which hatch grubs in late July and early August. These grubs feed on grass roots. You can see the effects in the late fall and early spring in the form of patches of dead grass. Skunks, raccoons, other small mammals and birds can dig up your lawn to feed on the grubs.
Late summer and early fall is the best time to fight grubs - when they are smaller and closer to the surface. One of the best ways is to use microscopic worms called nematodes that seek out grubs, enter their bodies and feed on them from the inside out.
Nematodes should only be applied when environmental conditions are suitable for their survival. Nematodes are sensitive to sunlight, drying out, and extremes in temperature. To give them the best chance for survival, apply them to the lawn on an overcast day or in the evening. Water the lawn before applying and again immediately after. Keep the treated area watered for several days after a nematode application.
Follow handling instructions on the product label as nematodes are living organisms that can also be killed when improperly handled or stored, and will be ineffective at controlling grubs. Nematodes need to be kept in a refrigerator until used. Once they are mixed with water they need to be agitated frequently and used within 20 minutes.
You can maintain a dense, healthy, high-quality lawn by using good maintenance practices throughout the growing season (proper mowing, fertilizing, irrigation, topdressing, reseeding and thatch control). Your lawn will have more roots and damage by pests such as white grubs will be minimized.
For more green lawn tips, visit Ontario's Your Environment web site.
