8 Best Grub Killers Of 2022

Grubs are the white, small, c-shaped larvae of such as June beetles, Japanese beetles, and chafers. They live just below the lawn’s root system and feed on the roots of grass and plants. Grubs can cause heavy damage because after feeding on grass roots, they change to pupae, which hatch into beetles. A grub killer is a solution that kills grubs. 

Curative insecticides are essential, short-lived products that kill all life stages of grubs. You only need to start a grub control treatment when you see signs of damage in your lawn. Grub killers may be applied up to three times per year, depending on the pesticide and the manufacturer’s instructions. Best grub killers available in the market are: Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus, Dr. Pye’s Scanmask 10 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes, Garden Safe HG-93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate, Sevin 20 lbs. Lawn Insect Killer Granules and many more. 

1. Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus

Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus is an excellent turf rescue formula that kills Grubs overnight! This product hinders grubs and other listed pests from further damaging your lawn. It works on contact, providing overnight results. This grub killer treats 10,000 square feet. Kills Grubs effectively in 24 hours. It also kills Ants, Crickets, Billbugs, Chinch Bugs, Cutworms, Grasshoppers, Mole Crickets, Earwigs, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Leafhoppers, Millipedes, Sod, Sowbugs, Ticks and Webworms,

To make sure you cover the whole area uniformly, first treat the border of the lawn, then fill in the center. Spread parallelly, walking at a uniform pace to ensure even distribution of the granules. Ensure to water your lawn thoroughly within 24 hours after application. The lawn can be mowed once the granules have been watered into the soil. For use after the first indications of grubs. Degrades quickly and does not stick around. Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules will only last up to 48 hours after application. The average cost is between $20 to $80 depending on the quantity.

2. Dr. Pye’s Scanmask 10 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic insects that will seek out and destroy over 230 kinds of soil living and wood boring insects, such as flea larvae, white grubs, corn rootworms, cutworms, strawberry weevils, cabbage root maggots, gypsy moth larvae, fungus gnat larvae, and many more.  

They are entirely safe for people, pets, and the environment, and are compatible with other beneficial insects such as ladybugs, praying mantids and lacewings and do not harm earthworms. These are shipped live in the box and may be mixed directly into the soil and are applied with a sprayer. 

This grub killer may be released by spraying with water, injecting into burrows or mixing with mulch and applying directly to the soil or potting mix. They may be utilized any time of the year, considering the ground is not frozen. Do not release in direct sunlight, as this will kill them. See directions for details. It covers up to 300 square feet, but quicker results are attained with higher concentrations, covering only 200 square feet. 

Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic in size and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The 7 million active units in each pint container will chase, sneak into, and kill most soil dwelling pests. They will attack over wintering adult insects, pupae, diapausing larvae, and grubs when they are in the bark, soil, or even ground litter. The average price is between $17 to $40 depending on the quantity you purchase.

3. Garden Safe HG-93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate

Garden Safe HG-93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate defends roses in your garden against insects, diseases and mites. Do not add extra stickers, spreaders, extenders, etc. to Garden Safe Brand Neem Oil Extract Concentrate. It stops powdery mildew in 24 hours, killing eggs, larvae and adult insects. Shake well before using. For best performance, do not mix with cold water (less than 34°F). It effectively prevents and controls black spots on roses, anthracnose, rust and powdery mildew.

Do not apply to wilted or otherwise stressed plants, or to newly transplanted materials before root establishment. It can also be used as a dormant or delayed dormant spray to control overwintering eggs of various insects on fruit and shade trees, roses, shrubs, roses and other ornamental plants and vegetables. 

It should not be applied to known sensitive plant species such as impatiens flowers, hibiscus flowers, fuchsia flowers, some rose varieties, ornamental olive trees or some carnation varieties without testing.

Similar to other oil-based products, the timing of applications should be early morning/late evening to minimize the possibility of leaf burn. Use wisely on plants with tender tissue. Check for leaf bum in small scale trials prior to use. It can be used as a leaf polish on hardy plants. The average cost of it is $9 to $14. 

4. Sevin 20 lbs. Lawn Insect Killer Granules

Sevin Insect Killer Lawn Granules kills over 100 listed insects, around fruit and vegetable gardens, flowers, shrubs, ornamentals, lawns and the exterior of homes. Sevin kills lawn and garden infestating insects including destructive Japanese beetles, caterpillars, ants, aphids, squash bugs, spiders, fleas, ticks, grubs and many more listed on the label. This product can also be used as a home perimeter treatment killing bugs outside before they come inside. It can treat up to 20,000 sq ft. Protects your lawn from destructive insects that cause your lawn to thin and turn brown for up to 3 months. This grub killer provides a protective barrier to keep bugs away all season. The cost of Sevin 20 lbs. Lawn Insect Killer Granules is around $19.

Follow these steps to apply Sevin 20 lbs. Lawn Insect Killer Granules:

• Measure your area to decide how much product is required.
• Pour granules into a spreader. Use a broadcast spreader for large areas or a drop spreader for small, precise areas.
• Broadcast lawn granules to ensure even coverage. Apply on dry days, with no rain forecast for 24 hours.
• Water-in promptly after applying granules to release the active ingredient. Sweep scattered granules off driveway, sidewalk, and street back onto gardens or lawns before watering.

5. Safer Brand 5102 5102-6 Ready-to-Use End All Insect Killer-32 oz

This new, very effective, ready-to-use spray kills 45 different insect species in any stage of life from egg to adult! Kills 45 different insects, those include aphids, various beetles including Japanese beetles, harlequin bugs, caterpillars and larvae, leafhoppers, stink bugs, whiteflies and mealybugs. 

It is to be used on ornamentals, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, flowers and houseplants. Effective on both hard bodied and soft bodied insects. OMRI-listed and adaptable for use in organic gardening, this product dissolves in the soil leaving no residue. Can be used till the day of harvest. It is most suitable for use in hydroponic gardening. Its price is between $11 to $23.

Make sure to shake the bottle well prior to using it to ensure proper mixing and distribution while spraying. Apply when you notice insects or first indications of their damage appear. Hold the sprayer 12 to 18 inches away from the surface to be sprayed. Spray uniformly, entirely coating plant surfaces where insects are feeding or resting. Do not wet plants to the extent of runoff or drip. Apply every 7 to 10 days when insects are seen or as required to prevent damage.

End All can be utilized on plants up until the day of harvest and the wide coverage formulation will not exist in the environment after it has been applied.

6. Arena .25 Granular Insecticide Grub Control

Arena works as both a preventive and curative, for excellent control of white grubs, chinch bugs, and a vast variety of other turf and ornamental pests with a single application. It provides proven residual activity for lasting control. Controls pyrethroid-resistant chinch bug, without raising the level of pyrethroid resistance.

It also controls white grubs, comprising Japanese beetle and masked chafers, plus other thatch- and surface-feeding insects. It provides superior grub control encompassing curative grub control that caters to keep away fodder animals. Area gives outstanding results when applied before the third instar. It does not need immediate watering-in after application. Also, available as a 50 WDG formulation for foliar and soil application options.

Arena 0.25 G Insecticide can be applied to turf at 80 to 160 lbs per acre. The rate relies on the target pest(s), their stage of development and the required level of control. Multiple applications can be made but do not exceed the maximum amount per year (160 lbs/A). Take advice from your local State Agricultural Experiment Station, State Extension Turf Specialists of other turf experts for specific information concerning the timing of application(s). When targeting multiple pests, make application to earliest egg lay or adult flight. The high end of the rate range may be required if extended control of secondary pests are desired. 

Use a calibrated spreader to uniformly spread Arena 0.25 G Insecticide over the treatment area. Do not mow turfgrass until after irrigation or rainfall has occurred to allow for the uptake and distribution of Arena 0.25 G Insecticide in soil and turfgrass. Its price ranges from $77 to $119 depending on quantity.

7. Dylox 6.2 Granular Insecticide

Dylox 6.2 from Bayer works by both contact and ingestion. It saves and protects lawns and turf from grubs and some other insects that feed on them. When watered properly, this product can even creep into thatch up to 1/2 inch thick. For Control of White Grubs, Sod Webworms, Cutworms, Mole Crickets and other listed pests of turfgrass. Controls destructive insects below the soil surface. It also provides control of Japanese beetle grub.

It has a longer and effective application window. Kills second and third instar grubs on contact, as well as listed surface-feeding and soil insects. It helps to stop damage from predators such as birds, skunks, and raccoons.

Dylox is only active and kills for 48 hours. Dylox should be watered in for at least 1 to 1.5 hours for best results to make sure the product makes it through the thatch layer to where the grubs are feeding. Mature grubs often need at least 2 applications, 3 to 4 days apart. The average price is between $79 to $100.

8. ST GABRIEL ORGANICS 80080-P Milky Spore Grub Control Mix Pest Controller

It is a long-lasting, grub control spreader that will solve all of your problems. 20 lb. Milky Spore, Grub Control Spreader Mix. This is an organic compound that attacks larvae of Japanese beetles. You can apply with a spreader anytime from spring through fall. Kills grubs for 15 to 20 years, providing you with the ultimate coverage. It is safe for all other living things and will not affect birds, bees, animals, plants, beneficial insects, fish, or humans. Provides up to 7,000 square feet of coverage.

It is easy to apply using a spreader. It covers the complete area evenly – first treat the border of the lawn and then fill in the center. Make parallel passes, walking at a uniform pace to ensure even distribution of the granules. Lightly water lawn within 24 hours after application. Do not mow the lawn until the granules are watered into the soil. Apply in spring, summer and fall for 2 consecutive years for faster long lasting control (total 6 applications). Its price range is between $49 to $65.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Grub Killer

Not every grub killer is ideal for all circumstances. The best grub killer reacts slowly, but an active infestation needs fast action. Liquids deliver faster results, but granules may be more convenient because they are easy to spread. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best grub killer.

• Liquid vs. Granular: Liquid treatments are effective and quick for treating grub infestations: Simply spray the solution on the lawn and you are done with it. But determining the rate of coverage is difficult, also liquid spills are messier and more difficult to clean than spilled granules. Also, you may need to dilute some products with water before application. Granular grub killers are suitable to apply with a handheld or walk-behind lawn spreader. After spreading, simply return any remaining granules in the spreader to the bag for storage. While this is a relatively clean and convenient way to treat, it’s essential to note that the best time to apply is prior to rainfall, so the active ingredients perforate deep into the soil. Otherwise, you’ll have to water the lawn after application.

• Safety: You always have to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and applying insecticides, both organic and synthetic. Wear safety clothing such as long sleeves, gloves, eyewear, and closed-toe shoes while mixing and handling. Avoid splashing and spills of liquids. Dry products may be dusty. Pour in a well-ventilated area, and wear a mask to avoid breathing dust. When not in use, always store chemicals in their primary containers and in a locked cabinet, away from children and pets.

• Application: Make sure to comply with the manufacturer’s instructions regarding application rate and timing between applications. Mix liquid concentrates as per the specified dilution rate. Wear rubber boots while applying liquid treatments, and rinse off the residue afterward. To hold on applications on target and eliminate spray drift, avoid applying in windy weather. Allow treated areas to dry completely before allowing human or pet traffic.

How Should You Use Grub Killers For Controlling Lawn Grubs?

Read on to know how to use different types of grub killers for controlling lawn grubs.

Organic vs. Synthetic: Organic grub killers contain milky spores and beneficial nematodes. Both of these products use biological agents to prey on grubs in the soil. They are entirely safe for people, pets, and other helpful insects and highly essential in eliminating grub infestations—and the effect lasts for years. However, they work slowly and may not be ideal for active infestations.

Synthetic treatments work faster. Many of them offer season-long control (about three to four months) of white grubs. Most of these products are less selective for grubs, so they also kill a broad range of non-targeted species. They are an outstanding choice to stop grub issues and are best applied only to affected areas.

When Is The Best Time To Use Grub Killers?

When to apply grub control is a question bothering many. So the answer is, if you want to stop grub damage in your lawn right away, the best time to apply a grub killer is when you first see indications of damage. 

Specifically, apply grub killer between early spring and late summer when there is heavy grub worm activity in your lawn. For grub preventers, apply between June and July just before they hatch while for grub killers, apply the treatment from spring when you see symptoms of grass damage.

Does Grub Killer Have Any Harm On Lawn?

Yes, applying very much grub killer can harm the environment and applying too little may not control the grubs in your lawn.

Even though Dylox states it kills grubs within one to three days if applied properly, you may still observe grub activity at that time or shortly after. Animals may also continue digging for the insects. Grubs often die and conditions balance around the 10 to 14 day mark. To get back your old lawn, you may have to reseed or resod because it may fail to recover if the roots have been severely damaged.

Contact Edenapp today if you have any questions about how to prevent and control grubs in your lawn. Our professional team will guide you to get rid of damaging grubs from your lawn.