Gardening

Using Beneficial Nematodes Against White Grubs

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White grubs at three different stages. Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Wikimedia Commons

You can treat infestations of white grubs (larvae of June beetles, European chafers, Japanese beetles, rose chafers, etc.) in the lawn with nematodes, small parasitic worms that infect and kill young larvae. There are various species of nematodes that will do the job, mostly in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. They work by penetrating their host and injecting bacteria that kill them.

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Nematodes are parasitic worms too small to be seen by the naked eye. Photo: CSIRO

Note that beneficial nematodes are harmless to beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs, as well as earthworms, and also to birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, etc., although they also help control other harmful soil insects such as weevils, fleas, borers, wireworms, onion maggots and fungus gnats.

In the Northern Hemisphere, nematodes are best applied at sunset or on a cloudy day between mid-August and early October in cooler climates, mid-July through August in mild ones, as that is when the grubs are freshly hatched and most vulnerable to infestation. The soil should be warm (70 to 86?F/21 to 30?C) and moist (apply after rain if possible, otherwise water deeply the day before).

 

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Some brands of nematodes can be stored at room temperatures.

You should be able to find beneficial nematodes in your local garden center. If not there are many mail order sources on the Internet. In years past, you had to ask for them, as they were stored out of sight in a refrigerator (likewise, they have to be stored in a refrigerator at home until you’re ready to use them). However, recent technological developments in storage methods have led to some brands that don’t require refrigeration, although they must not be stored in sunlight.

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Nematodes can be applied using a hose-end sprayer. Photo: Spray-N-Grow

To apply, mix the product in water and spray on the lawn, following the instructions on the product purchased (they’ll vary a bit depending on the species of nematode and the way the supplier has packaged them). Water the lawn after the application and as needed over the next 14 days so the soil remains moist, especially in heavy or clay soils, as this ensures that the nematodes will descend deep enough into the soil to reach their prey.

Combined with other control methods (such as turf enriched with compost, mowed high, and mixed with other plants such as clover), you’ll find nematodes quite effective… in the medium and long term. But not necessarily the following year! That’s because nematodes are especially efficient in killing freshly hatched white grubs in the first year of their cycle, the ones that hatch in July (mild climates) or August (cool climates). They’re not so good at controlling 2nd-year grubs (those that live two years underground, as is the case with June beetles), the ones that will cause the most damage the following year. That’s why it is often in the third summer you’ll see the full results of your treatment, because that year’s generation will have been largely eliminated. Once introduced, beneficial nematodes can remain in the soil for many years, providing long-term control.

Note that it is not necessary to eliminate all the white grubs from a lawn to get excellent results. A healthy lawn can tolerate a modest population of white grubs without showing the typical symptoms (brown patches in the lawn). That’s what you should strive for: a natural balance in your lawn’s environment, one that will give you a healthy lawn without disrupting Mother Nature’s cycle.20170828C CSIRO

Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career. Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.

4 comments on “Using Beneficial Nematodes Against White Grubs

  1. Pingback: Flea Beetles: the Shotgun Insects – Laidback Gardener

  2. I agree! I’m striving for the natural balance of the lawn’s environment, one that will give you a healthy lawn without disrupting Mother Nature’s cycle. It will be a lot of work since I’ve only moved in a year ago, but I will work toward it over time.

    I did pick some of the white grubs out of my flower beds before planting my summer crops. Thankfully there wasn’t a lot.

  3. Interesting. I’ve also heard that controlling grubs helps control voles and moles, since that’s what they love to eat.

    I’ve also heard it said: If you dig up one square foot of soil in a suspect spot and find more than 5 grubs, you should definitely do something.

    But I like your idea best

    • It might discourage moles, but they don’t absolutely need white grubs: if you have a lot of earthworms, they’ll still be happy. Voles: I wouldn’t think getting rid of white grubs would have much of an effect: they mostly eat surface insects. More than 5 grubs per square foot: that would be about right. It’s actually a good thing to have a small population of white grubs. That will keep the nematodes alive to attack upcoming generations of grubs.

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