How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Planter Boxes

Beetle larvae, called grubs, live in the soil and feed on different types of plant matter. Harmful grubs attack plant roots and sometimes the stems, leaves and fruit of the plant. White grubs prefer decaying organic matter, so these organisms are often found in compost piles. Grubs gain access to planter boxes via two methods. The beetles either lay their eggs in the box or the potting soil mixture was previously infested with the pests.

Bleach
Potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any surviving plants from the planter box. Dump out the grub-infested soil.
- 2
  Rinse any remaining soil residue from the box. Wash the interior of the box with a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water. The bleach water kills any remaining eggs or pests attached to the interior of the box.
- 3
  Add fresh potting soil to the planter. If you are using compost or homemade soil, sift through it first to ensure there are no grubs living in the compost.
- 4
  Shake the excess soil from the plant roots. Rinse the remaining soil off the roots with a gentle stream of water.
- 5
  Replant the healthy plants in the planter box. Plant them at the same depth they were growing at previously.

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