Lawn Care

Best Grub Killers to Treat Your Lawn Effectively

We acknowledge that some people are obsessed with their lawns and spend hours working to have a perfect green carpet in their yards. And there’s nothing wrong with that; there are plenty of reasons to take good care of your lawn, even if you are not obsessing over the appearance. Now, do you know what poses the biggest threats to the health of the lawn? Weeds, disease, neglect, and, of course, pests. Several types can be harmful to your yard. And some of them can eat all the grass blades, while some may munch on the roots. In both cases, they will keep trying to attack the lawn so you always have to be attentive.

For many lawn owners, one of the biggest enemies is the grub worms that fall in the category of root eaters.  They are also known as grubs, lawn grubs, turf grubs, etc., and they have the power to destroy your lawn if the population grows out of control.  Fortunately, there is a way to get rid of them! But before we talk about that, it is necessary to learn how to identify them and understand when is the time to take action. That is why we consulted some lawn care experts and compiled their advice in these grub killer reviews!

Top 5 Best Grub Killers: Comparison Table

ProductArea CoveredVolume
Scotts GrubEx1 Grub Killer for Lawns10000 sq. ft.28.7 lb
BioAdvanced 700740M 24-Hour Grub Plus for Lawns5000 sq. ft.10 lb
Bayer Season Long Grub Control5000 sq. ft.12 lb
The Andersons DuoCide Professional-Grade Lawn Insect Control4500 sq. ft.18 lb
St. Gabriel Organics Gardener’s Supply Company Milky Spore10000 sq. ft.2.5 lb

What Are Grubs and Why Are They Harmful to Your Lawn?

Despite the name, grub worms are not actual worms. They are larvae of several species of beetles from a scarab family. These pests have a letter C shape, and their body is shiny and slick.  Plus, they have a creamy white color, while the head is orange. Grubs also have six legs. Sometimes they can take the color of the soil. And because the grubs’ exoskeleton is translucent, you can see what they ate.

Many people think of these pests as larvae of Japanese beetle, but in reality, several beetles have this larval form. That said, it is necessary to keep in mind that their shape will differ depending on the type of beetle. Besides the Japanese beetle that we already mentioned, these larvae can become May/June beetles, Oriental Beetles, and Northern & Southern Masked Chafers. All of these larvae have a similar life cycle and they cause the same type of damage by eating grass roots. Apart from that, they can attract other animals that eat grubs, which can cause additional damage to your lawn.

What Are Grub Killers?

Before we move on, it is essential to understand that not all, even the best grub killer for lawns types contain the same ingredients. Various active ingredients will have different effects. Hence some will be exceptionally effective, while others not. The most common active ingredients that you can find in lawn grub treatment products are trichlorfon, dylox, and imidacloprid. Besides grubs, these ingredients also destroy ticks, cockroaches, fleas, etc.

Grub Control Products Types Overview

It is incredible how much damage can such a small creature, that is not even an insect yet create, isn’t it?  Without the proper grubs control products and other preventive measures, they will destroy the lawn to the point that you will have to do a full repair and renovation. Keep in mind that there are products designed to prevent the damage and those that will kill the grubs. Today, we will focus on grub worm killer products.  With so many options out there, naturally, you can be confused about which one will work best for you.

So then let’s take a look at some of the best lawn grub killers, to determine which would be a better option for you.

Granular Grub Killer

Granular grub killers are convenient and easy to apply. You need a handheld or a walk-behind spreader, and you are good to go.  If there are granules left, after you are done spreading, you can put them back in the bag and use them some other time. And while making our grub killer reviews, we’ve found out that that it is best to use this type of treatment before the rain, so the ingredients go deep in the soil. Alternatively, you can water the lawn. It is better to use granular grub insecticide when you have kids or pets.

Liquid Grub Killer

Liquid grub killers are super-efficient.  Their application is simple and fast because all you need to do is spray the liquid grub control for lawns. However, it can be challenging to determine how much of the liquid grub killer concentrate to use for certain surfaces. Apart from that, it is harder to remove unwanted spills. With that in mind, it is essential to be extra careful if there are kids or pets around. So, bear in mind to check whether you need to dilute the concentrate before applying it.

Grub Killer vs. Grub Preventer: Which One to Choose?

As we already mentioned, there are products like Bayer grub killer created to destroy grubs and those that are used for prevention. Make sure which one you need, because they are very different.  If you are looking for preventative check if the product you are interested in contains imidacloprid. These products target the eggs and the larvae in their earliest stage. Grub killers target adult, active larvae as well as soil mites.

How to Use Grub Killer Properly?

Using the grub killer, whether liquid or granular, is pretty straightforward. However, there are some things to keep in mind:

  • Always check the instructions from the manufacturer to make sure you follow the application rate and timing.
  • Check if you need to dilute the concentrate and follow the instructions to do it.
  • If you use granular killer, do it before the rain. Alternatively, make sure to water the lawn after application.
  • Always wear protective gloves and boots when applying liquid grab killer.
  • Don’t treat the lawn in windy weather.
  • Make sure that the ground is dry before you let pets or kids play on the lawn.

FAQ

Do Grub Control Products Also Kill Bugs?

In short, yes. As we mentioned earlier, these products kill other insects and parasites such as ticks, fleas, mites, bugs, etc. It can also destroy the parasites that cause powdery mildew on grass.

Can I Use Grub Killer in Flower Beds?

Yes, you can use them in flower beds without worrying that they will destroy the flowers.  Apply the same rate as you would with the lawn. Another thing a lot of grub killer reviews and advices from users suggest is that you need to remember to water the flowers after the application of the grub killer.

Can I Seed Grass After Applying My Grub Killer?

Ingredients in grub killers and grub preventives don’t destroy grass seed. Hence, there is nothing that stops you from seeding the grass after applying grub killer. Keep in mind that you can also do it before spraying the product.

How Long Does It Take to Kill Grubs

There is no straightforward answer here. Generally, it all depends on the product you choose. Some best grub worm killer might need between 10-14 days to start working. Others will become fully effective after 60 to 90 days.

Conclusion

Pest control is one of the essential parts of lawn care. Grubs are pretty invasive, so make sure to have one of the best grub killer products and home and apply them as needed. And now that you know now what kind of products exist on the market, it will be much simpler to choose your best grub killer 2023, won’t it? 

So, have you had to deal with grubs before? What are your experiences?

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