When is the best time to apply grub treatment?

Delivered at the right time, grub control treatments can mean the difference between success and failure. I learned this the hard way as a yard care operator after years of wasted time and effort trying to control grubs in lawns. You should apply treatments when grubs are most vulnerable, during the period when they are actively feeding. Get out of this time period, and you will be fighting grubs all season long.

Follow local beetle flights to time preventatives perfectly. Japanese beetles emerge when the soil temperature is 65° (18°C). I use simple soil thermometers to monitor soil conditions. Apply treatments 2 to 3 weeks before egg laying is expected for maximum protection.

Look for grub surface activities so you can time any curative control applications. Observe the lawns after dark by flashlight during late summer. Where you see many C-shaped larvae, you are in a position to take action. I schedule my treatment dates according to these notes from the calendar.

Think about weather conditions before applying. Avoid spraying on windy days, as this can cause spray drift to occur. Avoid spraying just before heavy rain, as it can wash the application away. I loosely follow the hourly forecast and try to apply my treatments on overcast days with light winds, as this strategy should help if you are dealing with absorption.

Keep treatment logs to refer back to later. Write down the product used and application dates, and the cheapest record results. A decade of records shows me regional patterns in grub cycles. It becomes behavioral data to consider when to plan your application every year.

Read the full article: Effective Lawn Grub Treatment Guide