Grub killer is a broad term given to insecticides that target grubs. There are several types of grubs that feed on the roots of grass and other plants. These include turf or goose grubs; they burrow underground and eat the roots of grass, often in large numbers. These little green caterpillars have voracious appetites, but fortunately, there are ways to combat them. Let’s talk a little more about the best grub killers review here on CleverLandscape.com
We often apply grub killer as a preventative measure during the summer months to protect your lawn from a potential grub outbreak. They are also more likely to appear where you’ve used chemical treatments for weeds or previous pest infestations. If you notice grubs have damaged your grass and need help to get rid of them, read on for details about what grubs are, how to identify them, and different methods for eliminating these pests from your lawn.
Grub infestation is indicated by brown patches of drying grass. Grub worms can destroy a lawn if not treated, and they will return the following season. You’ll need the best grub killer to stop the damage. This will not only kill the existing grubs, but will also keep them under control for the entire season.
The top 5 best grub killers review I’ve used to get rid of grub worms are:
1. The Andersons BioChar DG Organic Soil Amendment
Anderson’s Organic bio advanced grub killer plus is one of the best lawn grub killers because it not only kills grubs but also feeds the turf grass, promoting root and foliage growth.
It can also treat white grubworms on the surface and beneath the surface. What exactly are the active ingredients, though?
Carbaryl and bifenthrin, both broad-spectrum insecticides, are present in Anderson’s Duocide. This means it will aid in the control of pests other than grubs on your lawn.
It kills chick bugs, sod webworms, European crane flies, grub worms, and a variety of other turf-damaging feeding insects. As soon as you notice signs of grub damage in your lawn, you can use it as a preventative and curative treatment.
Benefits
- Kills and prevents grub worms.
- Nourishes turf grass roots.
- Kills more than just grubs.
- Surface and sub-surface insecticide.
2. BioAdvanced 700740M 24-Hour Grub Plus for Lawns Ant
The active ingredient in GrubEx is called chlorantraniliprole. This is a highly effective systemic insecticide that kills pests on contact and ingestion.
This mode of action makes it extremely effective at grub control and treatment in lawns.
What white grubworm larvae does GrubEx1 kill?
GrubEx1 will kill the grub larvae of following insects and prevent them from growing into adults and continue the cycle of reproducing: Japanese beetles, European chafers, Black turfgrass ataenius, Aphodius spp., Southern masked chafers, Green June beetles, May/June beetles, Asiatic garden beetles, Northern masked chafers, Oriental beetles, Caterpillars (including Armyworms, Cutworms, Sod webworms), Billbug grubs and crane fly larvae (including European Crane Flies). It will also suppress chinch bugs.
Because it is one of the most effective grub killers and preventers on the market today, it is critical to understand how it works in order to achieve the best results in just one application.
Early in the spring through mid-summer, grub control by prevention begins. Because grubs hatch in the fall and go dormant in the winter, this is the best time to treat them. When the weather warms up in the spring, they harm turf grass.
Early spring to early summer is the best time to use Grube for the best results.
Benefits
- Provides season-long control of grubs.
- Prevents Japanese beetles before they lay eggs in your lawn.
- Does not kill nematodes, earthworms, and soil bacteria.
- Kills grubs by contact and ingestion
Benefits
- Has Trichlorfon (Dylox) – a fast-acting insecticide ingredient.
- Kills grubs within 24 hours.
- Has no residual effect – degrades fast.
- Kills many other lawn insects including ants and cutworms.
3. BioAdvanced, Granules, 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus
Because of its quick-acting nature, this product is a brilliant choice for killing grubs quickly. Nothing kills grubs faster than advanced Bayer Advanced 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus, which contains the active ingredient Dylox.
Apply this grub killer as soon as you notice any signs of grubs in your lawn, and you’ll be able to kill grubs quickly and stop the damage.
When properly watered in right after application, this is a curative and only kills on contact. We soaked this in for 30 minutes where the grubs were. The key ingredient is dylox, which was shown to be effective after only 24 hours in the photo below. It feels great to get them off the lawn.
24 hr. Best Grub Killer – Bioadvanced Grub Killer
It’s rare to find a product that performs exactly as advertised, but someone pleasantly surprised me when I tried this grub killer.
When I lifted the grass in infestation areas within 24 hours, I discovered a lot of dead grubs. As a result, mole activity dropped dramatically over the next few days, as their food was no longer available.
Benefits
- Has Trichlorfon (Dylox) – a fast-acting insecticide ingredient.
- Kills grubs within 24 hours.
- Has no residual effect – degrades fast.
- Kills many other lawn insects including ants and cutworms.
4. St. Gabriel Organics Gardener’s Supply Company Milky Spore
Milky spore acts as a natural grub killer. It’s like spraying a disease-causing biological agent on your lawn to kill the grubs.
The bacteria in milky spore affect only Japanese beetles (at various stages of life), and other important microorganisms in your lawn are unaffected.
If you don’t like this product, the St. Gabriel Organics 80080-P Milky Spore Grub Control Mix Pest Controller is a milky spore alternative that will provide you with over 15 years of grub control in your lawn.
The only criticism I have of the Milky spore grub control is that it is ineffective in small infestation areas. In lawns with a lot of grubs, this is an excellent grub killer.
The more grubs there are, the faster the disease spreads and the rest of the population dies. It won’t work if there aren’t enough grubs to help spread the disease to other grubs, particularly those that are lodged deeper in the soil.
Benefits
- Introduces a grub-killing disease.
- Long-term grub control (15 to 20 years)
- Does not kill important lawn soil organisms.
- Safe for pets and humans.
- With a 10 oz box, you can cover as much as 2500 sq. Ft
- Nourishes other beneficial lawn organisms
5. Merit 0.5 Granular Systemic Insect Control – 30 Pound Bag
Merit contains 0.5 percent Imidacloprid, which is one of the most effective insecticides for grub control. Merit broad-spectrum pesticide will help you control other lawn pests such as mole crickets, chinch bugs, aphids, billbugs, and more, besides grub infestations.
Merit 0.5 Granular systemic insect control will kill bugs and provide excellent long-term preventive and curative control because of its long residual activity.
Imidacloprid is the best grub killer on lawns where other desirable insects such as bees are not present because it is a systemic insecticide that works as a neurotoxin.
If used in this manner, it has the potential to cause a significant decline in the number of bees in the area. I wouldn’t recommend using Merit on your lawn if you have flowers that attract bees.
Benefits
- Has Imidacloprid – highly effective in killing grubs and other pets.
- Provides long-term grub treatment.
- Kills grubs at any stage of development.
- Use on turf grass, golf-courses, and landscape plants.
Grub Control Product Buyer Guide
The active ingredient is the first thing to look for when selecting a great grub treatment for your lawn. That’s not all, though.
User reviews and ratings can help you figure out what to expect. I’ve outlined some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for the best grub control.
What Is The Active Ingredient In Grub Control Products?
All grub it does not create killers equal. Different active ingredients may have different results. Some are the most powerful, while others are extremely powerful. It’s also important to consider how long the treatment will last.
The following are some of the most common active ingredients found in effective grub killers:
- Trichlorfon
- Dylox
- Trichlorfon
These kill grubs and may also kill pests such as fleas, ticks, cockroaches, silverfish, and white grub worms.
You might come across some products that claim to get rid of lawn grubs by both killing and preventing them.
A treatment that controls grubs and Japanese beetles for at least the entire season would be ideal.
Do Grub Control Products Also Kill Bugs?
While you may see grub damage now, ant hills may appear in your lawn soon. In most cases, the best grub killer is one that provides treatment benefits that go beyond grubs.
Some brands have grub control products and products that kill hundreds of other insects that could infest your lawn.
The Ortho Bug B Gon Insect Killer for Lawns, for example, kills over 100 insects such as ants, mole crickets, chinch bubs, lawn spiders, cutworms, sod webworms, and even fleas.
If your grub problem isn’t limited to white grubworms, a grub killer that is also a general pest control for lawns will give you the best bang for your buck.
Grub Killer Granular vs. Liquid
Although it is typically a matter of preference, some homeowners prefer liquid grub spray to granular insecticide.
Some trichlorfon and/or carbaryl formulations are available as liquid concentrates that can be sprayed on your lawn to treat grub infestations. They are equally effective as granular treatments applied with a spreader.
Concentrates and ready-to-use sprays are the two types of liquid grub killers available.
Liquid sprays are riskier than granular grub control because they can drift due to wind and harm children, pets, and you. Some of the best granular grub killers state it is safe for children to return to the lawn after they have been watered.
Most granular grub treatments work for a long time to keep pests at bay. Their active ingredients are usually absorbed into an inert substance like clay or corn cob.
Pro tip: Water down any granular insecticide immediately after application for effective grub control in your lawn. To get rid of the grubs, it needs to go down into the soil where they are.
The difference between a grub killer and a grub preventer
Before you go out and buy a solution, make sure your lawn is free of grubs by inspecting it.
Remember that most healthy lawns can withstand a few grubs feeding on the roots showing no signs of damage.
If your lawn has been plagued by grubs for the past couple of seasons, consider investing in a two-in-one grub preventer and killer. GrubEx is an excellent product for grub control in lawns.
You need a product that not only kills white grubworms, but also kills adult beetles before they lay eggs that will hatch into new grubs and destroy grass as soon as the winter is over.
Sources
- University of Massachusetts Amherst: Current Insecticide Approaches for White Grub Control
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency: Dylox Grub Control (Trichlorfon).
- NCBI: Effects of spring imidacloprid application for white grub control on parasitism of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by Tiphia Vernalis (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae)
- Michigan State University: Bifenthrin Pesticide: Managing White Grubs In Irrigated Turf
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