Call V.I.P. to apply nematodes today, why risk lawn destruction?
WHITE GRUBS
We are noticing a proliferation of grub damage throughout Oxford County, Ontario Canada. Typically you will notice damage caused by moles, voles, racoons and or skunks ripping up the turf looking for grub “candy”. There are two types of grubs; White grubs and leather jackets. They can both cause destruction by eating the root of the grass and the crown of the grass blade.
White Grubs larvae have six strong legs near the head, and are white. They vary in other characteristics such as size, head color, and hair patterns on the body. These grubs feed on roots of various plants especially grass blades.
LEATHER JACKETS
 |
 Leather Jacket |
Have you seen the giant mosquitoes? Crane flies (Tipulidae) are a family of insects resembling giant mosquitoes. In appearance they seem long and gangly, with very long legs, and a long slender abdomen. The wings are often held out when at rest. Their larvae, called leatherjackets, consume roots (such as those of turf grass in backyard lawns) and other vegetation, and can cause huge damage to turf.
General Grubs Life cycle
In general, grubs have a one or two year life cycle, depending on the type of grub. The following describes a one year life cycle.
Spring – The grubs are fully grown larvae and are actively feeding.
Summer – The grubs turn into pupae and pupate into beetles. This generally occurs around June in the northern US and Canada.
The beetles only live for about a week, mating and laying eggs. These eggs hatch a few weeks later.
Fall – The new grubs feed until temperatures drop and they burrow deep in the soil to avoid freezing, and emerge the following spring.
White Grub Damage Control
The most important thing to do to reduce grub damage is to ensure a healthy, robust lawn. This means regular feedings and annual core aeration to encourage a strong, dense root system. If the lawn has a dense root system, it will tolerate minor feeding by the grubs.
Beneficial Insects – Predatory Nematodes Specific to White Grubs or Leather Jackets.
Predatory nematodes are naturally occuring microscopic roundworms that attack soil larvae like white grubs. They are best used as a preventative application applied to newly hatched larvae. This means that the best time to apply the nematodes is in late August into early October depending on geographic location. The nematodes will not control all the grubs in the soil, but will reduce the grub populations and thereby reduce any potential lawn damage. They are naturally occurring in the soil, but we inundate the soil with the nematodes in order to achieve infection of the larvae.
There are a few factors to consider when applying nematodes.
1. Apply the nematodes to moist soil. If applied to dry soil, the nematodes will die. We recommend a heavy watering prior to the application of nematodes to not only wet out the soil and thatch, but also to drive the grubs closer to the surface and closer to the nematodes.
2. Avoid applying nematodes during bright sunny days. UV light kills nematodes, so it is best to apply them early or late in the day when light levels are low, or during an overcast day.
3. Water the nematodes into the soil as soon as possible. Water carries the nematodes off the leaves of the lawn into the soil where the grubs live. Core aeration prior to an application will facilitate the movement of the grubs into the root zone.
