I don't see grub problems here in the city. But I have heard good things about CedarCure from ict organics.Listed as effective on egg and 1st instar life stage for grubs. I have used their other products with great results.

Branch Creek has a product called grub shield. @phasthound can share a bit more info on this product.

 

Wasn't ICT a sponsor at 1 time?

 

I treated grubs organically like 20 years ago with nematodes...good results....but I'm sure their is something better by now

 

Nematodes work just the short shelf life 2 weeks in a fridge makes them a bit more difficult.

 

I believe they have isolated a bacteria that infects and kills grubs now too, a friend in Washington had posted a link about the state spraying large areas (like whole counties!) with it to fight Japanese beetles.

 

Yes, but so far there has been a limited available to the lawn care industry.

 

Just took a closer look at a site that said they sold it. Actually load up the online store ..

SOLD OUT!!

That sucks. I'd consider using it myself it the price was at least comparable to granular imidacloprid.

 

Milky spore is another good organic product if the grubs are present

 

I've never used Milky Spore. I believe it only controls Jap Beetles and can take up to 3 years for it to be effective.
Here's another option I have never tried.
https://www.planetnatural.com/product/lawn-aerator-sandals/

 

I've tried something similar but for compaction issues. You have to make sure you raise the spikes all the way out or you tend to lose balance easy.

 

 

Thanks for all the help! Maybe we will be able to get the cedar cure before next season. But in the meantime does anyone know a good source for nematodes?
Also, does just plain aeration help with grub issues as well?

 

Thanks for all the help! Maybe we will be able to get the cedar cure before next season. But in the meantime does anyone know a good source for nematodes?
Also, does just plain aeration help with grub issues as well?

How big of a grub problem are you dealing with?
Are they Japanese beetle grubs?

 

I have used Grub Gone with excellent results. It's a bacteria that kills many types of beetle grubs.

 

LOL! I clicked that link for the "aerator shoes".

"Note: Studies have shown that these "spiked shoes" are equal to or more effective than some insecticides for controlling Japanese beetle grubs. Researchers reported killing 56% of the grubs by walking over plots of lawn 3-5 times."

Give me a break. I was pulling up grass in my own yard last week and I tried smashing the grubs I saw with a garden rake and I could barely hit them when I could SEE them without repeated strikes.
Those spike shoes? Yeah, you're gonna get REALLY lucky to stab a grub as you walk.

 

Here is a Michigan professor who is working on natural enemies of grubs in the turfgrass setting.

Keep in mind that most lawns can tolerate a high level of grubs--if--the soil moisture is kept high with irrigation in fall.

Mach II is sort of organic--Molt accelerating compound.

 

Try this link for more information about David Smitley and his research, on natural enemies and diseases of white grubs.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/david_smitley
and:

https://www.researchgate.net/public...Larvae_and_Reduced_Fecundity_of_Female_Japanese_Beetles_Coleoptera_Scarabaeidae

And:
https://www.wktvjournal.org/tag/dave-smitley/

 

Good links Riggle! It appears his studies on the pathogen are limited to Jap Beetle. I wonder if any studies have been done on other grub species?
The last link contains information every LCO should follow and educate their clients on.

 

I’ve been experimenting with endophytes grass seed.
It doesn’t kill the grubs but they don’t the endophytes so the move on to others lawns. I’ll know next season if it works I have replaced two lawns that both have had repeated grub problems.

 

According to University of Massachusetts:
RESISTANCE TO INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS
Endophytic grasses have shown high resistance to foliar-feeding insects such as billbugs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, and fall armyworms. Biologically active alkaloids are found only in infected grasses. The insecticidal effects produced by these compounds deter insects from feeding or cause “antibiosis” effects which alter the life cycle of the insect. The result is an ultimate decline in the population. Alkaloid levels in the roots are low and therefore, endophytes are not effective against root feeders such as white grubs.

 

I just saw a video out of Michigan State University. Dave Smitley and Ron Calhoun. It suggested that plenty of water during the peak egg-laying season would discourage European chafer--because--European chafer grubs prefer dryer soils.

 

However, Jap beetle grubs prefer moist soil.

 

Where are the grubs? I did not see many this year in Michigan. Rainy year, of course.
Were the grubs in your town more or less numerous than last year? European chafer or Japanese beetles?

 

Had one area in Cascade that was loaded with grubs. European Chafee close by.

 

Very few beetle adults here in my area along the Ohio shore of Lake Erie. One comment about endophyte-infected grass. I know it is not supposed to affect insects or grubs below ground BUT........ my lawn at my first home was over run by ground moles until I renovated it and planted endophyte perennial ryegrass. No more moles. They still burrowed in my neighbor's lawn but stopped right at mine. Explanation? My Ohio State hort staff friends didn't have a clue.

 

Good points Phil and Mark.
Is there any grass that claims to be grub resistant?
Are there any fair comparison tests to compare the grub resistance of varieties or species of grass?
Difficult thing to prove.

Edit. This claims tall fescue is more grub resistant--and perennial rye is more easily damaged.
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ent10

and
http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/18/3/329.full

 

https://www.arbico-organics.com/pro...b-sc-steinernema-carpocapsae-heterorhabditis-bacteriophora/beneficial-nematodes

I've been using these Nematodes from Arbico successfully for years.

And cedar cure for any break through damage

 

I have been using diatomaceous earth successfully. Here's a link with more info.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/diatomaceous-earth-kill-grubs-83628.html

 

Yes, diatomtaceus earth will kill grubs, but be careful with it as there are down sides which are highlighted on this link in-bedded with the one you provides.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-diatomaceous-earth-lawns-74517.html
In addition, DE will kill earthworms which are very beneficial to healthy lawns. IMHO, the best defense against grubs is a thick dense turf with substantial root systems.