The Best Grub Killers

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Grub Killers and hope the blog can help you.

Whether you need an effective eco-friendly solution or a fast-acting chemical, the best grub killer will eliminate an infestation of lawn-eating beetle larvae.

The white grubs that damage lawns are the larval life stage of several beetle species. Japanese beetles, June bugs, masked chafers, May beetles, and other beetle larvae feed on plant roots before pupating into adults. When the population swells, especially in late summer, the grass won’t regrow roots fast enough to keep up with the hungry larvae. When this happens, it’s time to treat the infestation with grub-control products.

There are two approaches to dealing with the problem: preventative or curative treatments. Not sure which is the best solution? Read on for factors to consider before deciding on the best grub killer, and then discover some of the top-rated products on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Control
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Southern Ag Triple Action Neem Oil
3. BEST PREVENTIVE: St. Gabriel Organics 80010-9 Milky Spore Powder
4. BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Bug Sales 50 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes
5. BEST READY-TO-SPRAY: Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil
6. BEST SELECTIVE: Grubgone!
7. BEST BROAD-SPECTRUM: NaturesGoodGuys Live Beneficial Nematodes
8. BEST CONCENTRATE: Harris Neem Oil Water-Soluble Concentrate
9. BEST ON-CONTACT: BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus
10. ALSO CONSIDER: Lawnbox GrubOut Organic Grub Control

Before You Buy a Grub Killer

Before investing in an insect- and grub-control product, it’s crucial to determine if grubs are really the problem. While these pests can cause grass to turn brown and die, so too can drought, soil that’s bereft of nutrients, moles, and disease.

Here’s how to spot the telltale signs of a grub problem:

• Look for brown patches. Large sections of dead grass in late summer or early fall, when grubs are feeding the most often, are a sign of a grub infestation.
• Dig a hole. Check for grubs in the soil by using a shovel to dig up a few areas in the yard. These pests have brown heads, bulbous bodies, and an off-white color. While a few grubs aren’t a problem, if there are more than five in a square foot, it could indicate an infestation.
• Walk on the turf. Grubs feed on grass roots, breaking the connection between the root and blades of grass. This grub damage creates a noticeable spongy feeling when walking on the turf.
• Pull on the turf. A grub infestation will cause grass to become disconnected from the roots. This would make it all too easy to peel away entire sections of turf from the soil.

How We Chose the Best Grub Killers

These recommendations for the best grub-control products include a variety of formulas to meet the needs of typical users hoping to maintain a pest-free residential landscape.

We narrowed our research to focus primarily on organic grub killers that use natural ingredients, which don’t pose the same threat to wildlife as chemical-based products. These include grub killers that use such natural ingredients as nematodes, milky spore, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), cedar oil, and neem oil.

Since grub killer must typically be applied to an entire lawn to be effective, we also leaned toward products that can be applied over broad areas with either a spreader or a sprayer that attaches to a garden hose.

Keeping size in mind, we also leaned toward those that offered the best bang for the buck with the ability to cover entire yards.

Finally, we included both selective options for those looking to kill pests while preserving the population of beneficial insects as well as broad-spectrum pesticides that can control more than just grubs.

Our Top Picks

White grubs can be extremely destructive, and the best grub killer is a solution. Whether the purpose is to halt an active infestation or prevent one from ever occurring, these picks are capable of killing grubs while having a minimal impact on the environment.

Best Overall

Cedarcide Outdoor Bug Control

See It

What makes Cedarcide such a great option for taking out grubs is its ability to do so without having to dump chemicals all over the lawn. Per its name, Cedarcide uses natural cedar oil as the active ingredient that controls a broad range of pests, including grubs. This mix not only makes it safe for use on yards that see plenty of pet and people traffic, but it also won’t leave behind chemicals that can negatively impact wildlife, making it worth its higher price tag.

Cedarcide comes with a bottle of concentrate and a hose-sprayer attachment. To apply, mix the concentrate in the sprayer with the right amount of water, attach a standard garden hose, and saturate the yard. A quart of Cedarcide is enough to treat up to an acre, which is enough for most residential properties. Cedarcide is also available in granules, which are ideal for treating larger yards and are applied with a spreader.

Product Specs

• Form: Concentrate
• Quantity: Quart and gallon bottles
• Coverage area: 1 acre (quart size), 4 acres (gallon size), 3,500 square feet (8-pound bag)
• Compatible insects: Fleas, ticks, mites, ants, mosquitoes, scorpions, wasps, and roaches

Pros

• Cedar oil active ingredient makes it safe for people, pets, and wildlife
• Works against a variety of pests, making it ideal for use as a broad-spectrum pesticide
• Hose sprayer and concentrated formula makes it easy to cover large areas

Cons

• Costs more than other organic and chemical-based pest-control products

Get the Cedarcide grub killer on Cedarcide.com.

Best Bang for the Buck

Southern Ag Triple Action Neem Oil

See It

This affordable option from Southern Ag kills grubs and beetles—a one-two punch against both larval and adult forms. When applied to a lawn, the neem-oil compound suppresses grubs’ appetites as it is ingested, deterring them from eating and eventually causing them to die. When neem oil comes into contact with adult beetles, it coats their body, suffocating them. Since neem oil presents very low toxicity to wildlife, it’s a more responsible way to solve a grub problem.

In addition to grubs, Southern Ag’s Triple Action Neem Oil can take out aphids, spider mites, and other pests while also killing off fungus. To apply, dilute the solution with water, then saturate the yard using a sprayer, making sure to shake the container periodically while spraying to mix it.

Product Specs

• Form: Concentrated liquid
• Quantity: 16-ounce and 8-ounce bottles
• Coverage area: N/A
• Compatible insects: Aphids, spider mites, scale, whiteflies, beetles, grubs

Pros

• A broad-spectrum pesticide that works against a variety of pests and fungus
• Is an effective means of killing both larvae and adult beetles
• Active ingredient neem oil makes it safe for people, pets, and wildlife

Cons

• Bottle must be shaken while applying to maintain an even mix

Get the Southern Ag grub killer on Amazon (16-ounce bottle) or The Home Depot (8-ounce bottle).

Best Preventative

St. Gabriel Organics 80010-9 Milky Spore Powder

See It

Milky spore is a naturally occurring microscopic bacteria that feeds on beetle larvae. The spores grow and reproduce in the soil, reaching peak strength within 3 years and persisting another 10 or more years. This environmentally friendly season-long grub-control product from St. Gabriel Organics can prevent a grub infestation without harming people, animals, or beneficial insects.

Apply the dry powder in concentrated deposits (spoonfuls) at 3- to 4-foot intervals across the lawn or garden. This 10-ounce package treats up to 2,500 square feet. The active ingredient is the bacteria species Bacillus popilliae.

Product Specs

• Form: Granules
• Quantity: 10 ounces
• Coverage area: 2,500 square feet
• Compatible insects: Japanese beetles

Pros

• Long-lasting formula provides grub control for up to 10 years
• Active ingredient is safe for the environment and homes with pets and children
• More affordable than other organic and chemical-based grub-control products

Cons

• Milky spore is a selective pesticide that only works with grubs

Get the St. Gabriel Organics grub killer on Amazon or at The Home Depot.

Best Eco-Friendly

Bug Sales 50 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes

See It

Predatory nematodes are relatively fast-acting biological controls for grubs. Unlike bacteria that must be discovered and consumed by grubs, nematodes actively seek out grubs. Within 2 weeks of using this product by Bug Sales, the grub population will rapidly reduce.

The nematodes will persist and continue to control grubs for up to 18 months—or two full growing seasons. Mix the nematode powder with 1 to 5 gallons of cool water and apply to the lawn with a pump-up sprayer, hose-end sprayer, or watering can. A package containing 50 million live nematodes covers up to 20,000 square feet. The active ingredient is the nematode species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora.

Product Specs

• Form: Granules
• Quantity: 5 million; 25 million; 50 million nematodes
• Coverage area: Up to 20,000 square feet (50 million)
• Compatible insects: Grubs

Pros

• Long-lasting formula provides grub control for up to 18 months
• Can be used with a hose sprayer to cover large areas quickly
• Active ingredient is safe for the environment as well as homes with pets and children

Cons

• Concentrated formula must be mixed with cool water before use

Get the Bug Sales grub killer on Amazon.

Best Ready-to-Spray

Bonide Captain Jack’s Neem Oil

See It

Those who don’t want to bother mixing concentrates and attaching sprayers to get rid of grubs should consider this Bonide product. The neem-oil pesticide comes in a ready-to-use spray bottle, making it one of the most convenient ways to spot treat grubs and the adult beetles that lay eggs. Neem oil kills both adult beetles and grubs on contact, along with a host of other pests, including mites and flies. It also has the added benefit of serving as a fungicide.

While this spray-bottle design makes it unsuitable for covering broad areas, such as an entire yard, it’s ideal for treating grubs, beetles, and other pests lurking on roses and flowers. Since neem oil is a natural active ingredient, it’s also safe for use on vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

Product Specs

• Form: Spray
• Quantity: 1-quart and 1-gallon bottles
• Coverage area: N/A
• Compatible insects: Grubs, beetles, mites, flies

Pros

• Spray bottle makes it easy to apply for spot applications
• Read-to-use mix does not need to be diluted with water
• Neem oil kills both larvae and adult beetles on contact

Cons

• Not suitable for covering large areas, such as an entire yard

Get the Bonide grub killer at Amazon (1-quart bottle) or The Home Depot (1-quart bottle).

Best Selective

Grubgone!

See It

Those looking to kill off grubs without harming beneficial insects should check out Grubgone! This selective pesticide is effective at taking out a broad range of grubs and adult beetles, including Japanese, Oriental, and Asiatic beetles. However, it won’t harm honey bees, pollinators, and other beneficial insects, such as nematodes and parasitic wasps (both natural predators of grubs).

Grubgone! works as both a curative for existing grub problems as well as a preventative. To use Grubgone!, load the granules into a spreader. Ten pounds of GrobGone! is enough to treat up to 5,000 square feet of turf or plants. After application, water the granules using a sprinkler.

Product Specs

• Form: Granules
• Quantity: 10-pound bag
• Coverage area: up to 5,000 square feet
• Compatible insects: Beetle grubs, including Japanese, Asiatic, June, and Oriental beetles; European chafers; grubs

Pros

• Broad-spectrum formula works against a wide range of grub species
• Won’t harm certain beneficial insects such as honey bees and other pollinators
• Can be applied quickly over broad areas with a drop spreader

Cons

• Not an effective option for killing other types of insect pests

Get the GrubGone! grub killer on GrowItNaturally.com.

Best Broad-Spectrum

NaturesGoodGuys Live Beneficial Nematodes

See It

NaturesGoodGuys uses microscopic nematodes—a natural predator of grubs—in this organic broad-spectrum pesticide. These tiny predators exist in the soil looking for hosts, such as grub worms, that they can penetrate, kill, and feed on. Since they pose no threat to people, pets, or wildlife, nematodes are an excellent organic option for controlling the grub population.

This blend of three different types of nematodes works on a variety of grub types, including Japanese beetles and lawn grubs. They’re also an effective control for a broad range of other pests like fire ants, roaches, fleas, and aphids. To apply, dilute with water, then use a hose sprayer, watering can, or handheld sprayer to distribute in areas where pest activity has been spotted.

Product Specs

• Form: Nematodes
• Quantity: Pouches of 5, 10, 25, 50, 250, and 500 million nematodes
• Coverage area: N/A
• Compatible insects: Broad range of insects, including grubs, beetles, roaches, and fleas

Pros

• Nematodes won’t harm people or pets and is safe for the environment
• Can be used as broad-spectrum pest control against other insects
• Can be applied using a sprayer, watering can, or handheld sprayer

Cons

• Takes longer to begin working

Get the NaturesGoodGuys grub killer on Amazon.