RADIO TRANSCRIPT
September 9, 2024
Matt Rodriguez

This is Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

Fall is the perfect time to treat your yard for next year’s grubs. Japanese beetle and June bug grubs are hatching right now and if you kill them before they grow to be large, tough, indestructible grubs, you’ll be way ahead of the game. To scout for potential grub issues, wait until August and use a shovel to cut a 1-square-foot flap of sod and roll it back. Examine the soil and roots in the top 3 or 4 inches. Repeat this process in several locations to get a good sampling. If you find an average of five or more grubs per square foot, a curative pesticide application is justified. Small grubs are easily killed at this time of year by applying products containing trichlorfon. Brands such as Dylox and Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control are easily found in area garden centers. They should be applied before the end of October because the grubs will dig deep into the soil to avoid cold temperatures. You can also utilize Milky Spore bacteria. A commercial grade bacterium that can infect young grubs with disease. September is the best time to apply these spores to eventually kill the grubs. Always follow label directions when applying any pesticide. There are other grub remedies on the market that are used during the summer months. They work well at that time of the year but will not be effective now. If you struggle with identifying grubs, reach out to us and we can help identify.

This has been Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. For more information, call us at 828-764-9480.