When to Apply Grub Control?
There are a number of different factors that contribute to dead patches of grass in your yard, from poor watering practices to pet urination damage. However, grass is also injured from hidden pests below the root line. Grubs, or beetle larvae, feed relentlessly on grass roots until they can venture out to feast on nearby flowers. Understanding the grubs' life cycle helps you determine when to apply effective pesticide controls.
Applying preventive grub control in the grass is the best course of action if you had pest issues the previous year. Grubs hatch underneath your grass near the end of July; the warm soil is perfect for new larvae development. To prepare for the hatching period, grub control should be spread across the yard in June or early July. This particular pesticide needs time to work its way down into the grass root structures. Once set into the ground, the pesticide lays in wait for fresh grubs to hatch. The grubs barely have time to emerge and feed on the roots before they succumb to the chemical control.
New grub infestations cannot be treated with the preventive controls; the chemical needs time to absorb into the grass and soil. However, curative pesticides are available to combat grubs in the fall and spring. If you notice a large grub population in your grass, apply the chemical controls as soon as possible to start the elimination process. Since curative controls do not have time to absorb into the soil structure, they are not as effective as preventive pesticides. But, your grub population will decline substantially so that next July you can apply a preventive measure for better control.
Most grub control formulas require a watering-in period immediately following application. In particular, curative controls have a short shelf life once exposed to the air and light; their chemical mixtures decline in strength the moment the bag is opened. Watering the preventive or curative control into the grass is the best way to move the pesticide down into the soil structure to interact with the grass roots. Since grubs rely on the roots for sustenance exclusively, they have no choice but to consume the chemicals and die off.
Determining Insecticide Need
If you see a handful of grubs or beetles living in your grass, it is not necessary to immediately pull out the pesticides. On average, a healthy grass yard withstands a small population of six grubs for every square foot. Grass that has dead patches with a small grub population indicates another health issue within this ecosystem. It is good practice to evaluate other dead grass causes, like watering patterns and foot traffic, before moving on to strong chemical control options.
Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities.