Natural Grub Killer That Is Safe for a Lawn

Natural Predators

• Introducing natural predators of grubs into the grass are highly effective in controlling the pest. These include ants, ground beetles and parasitoids from the Tiphia species. The larvae of parasitic wasps also feed on the grubs and kill them. Once the insects are dead, the parasitic wasp larvae weave brown cocoons around the dead pests. Natural predators are not harmful to grass.

Nematodes

• A number of insect parasitic nematodes are known predators of lawn grubs. Insect parasitic nematodes are small, round worms that enter their prey and complete their life cycles inside these bodies. Though harmful to grubs, insect parasitic nematodes are harmless to other soil organisms. Recommended insect parasitic nematodes for grub control include those from the Steinernema or Heterorhabditis species.

Bacteria

• The bacteria referred to as the milky spore disease or Paenibacillus popillae, previously called Bacillus popillae, develop inside the bodies of certain white grub species and help control the pests. Applied to lawn in the form of powder, the spores are ingested by grubs. The spores germinate inside the grub bodies and kill the pests. Milky spore disease is most effective at soil temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The greater the density of grubs in soil, the higher the efficacy of milky spore disease.

Sandals

• Specially constructed spiked sandals are available in the market that kill grubs as they feed near the soil surface. Walking over the lawn with the sandals not only kills the pests but also helps to aerate grasses at the same time. According to research conducted by Colorado State University, walking over the at least lawn three to four times is required for effective grub control.