Grub Control

Grub Control

Grubs are the larval (immature) stage of beetles that feed on grass roots. Infestations can cause extensive and permanent damage to lawns, requiring expensive renovations to repair. A healthy, well maintained lawn will resist minor grub infestations and not show symptoms. However, when the lawn is stressed by summer drought or winter conditions grub damage becomes apparent. Moreover, even infestation levels below which lawn damage may occur, the very presence of grubs in the lawn can attract raccoons, skunks and birds that will actually rip through the lawn searching for grubs as food.

The most damaging grub species in Ontario and Quebec is the European chafer. As an adult beetle, it can be seen flying around trees and houses at dusk between mid June and mid July, when it is laying eggs in lawn areas. These eggs hatch at the end of July or early August and feed on the lawn’s roots through the summer and fall, when most of the damage occurs. They spend the winter in the lawn and ‘pupate’ into an adult the following spring/early summer to start the whole process again.

Merit® Grub Control
Grub control utilizing Merit® is widely recognized as the most effective means of protecting turf from damaging grub infestations. Merit® is an insect control product that is applied only once per season at a very low use rate. It is most effective when applied between egg laying and egg hatch, which is essentially June and July. When Merit® is incorporated into the soil after its application and lawn watering, it is absorbed by the grass roots and moves through the grass plant. When grubs hatch and feed on the roots, they immediately stop feeding.

Merit® applications do not require immediate watering to be effective, however we suggest watering within 24 hours as a good rule of thumb. Do not over-water, only 5-10mm of water is necessary (20 to 30 minutes for most sprinkler systems).

For more additional information about Merit® grub control contact our customer service centre.

Natural Grub Control Using Nematodes
For those who are looking for alternative methods of grub control, or those property owners who live in municipalities with bylaws restricting pesticide use, nematodes may be an answer. Nematodes may not achieve the same level of grub control as Merit®, however they are gaining in popularity and are a fit for many property owners.

 Nematodes are microscopic worms that move through the soil and seek out grubs. They enter the grub and release bacteria that convert the grub to a food source for young nematodes. This causes the grub to stop eating and eventually die. There are several nematode strains on the market, however, nematodes are extremely selective on the type of insect they infest. We use the most effective nematode strain available against European chafer grubs. Nematodes are safe to use on lawns and do not harm plants, people, pets or even beneficial insects.

Nematodes must be applied when grubs are present from August to the fall or in the spring (May). Nematodes can not be applied during dry conditions. They must be applied to a moist soil and watered-in immediately, or applied during rain. The lawn should be watered for at least 3 days following treatment to maintain a moist condition. This allows the nematodes to move through the soil to hunt for grubs.

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