Japanes Beetles Grubs

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DesertRattess Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 02, 2008

I haven't actually seen any Japanese Beetles this year but recently when I started preparing my garden for the fall growing season (I'm here in California), I noticed a TON of grubs in the soil. I probably picked out 20-30 in a very small area.....4-5 square feet (and gave them to my chickens to eat -- heh). They are in the soil right alongside eggplant, green peppers, etc., and don't seem to be doing them any harm. Does anyone know what I can do to get rid of them without harming the existing plants? I want to get my fall seedling in the ground pronto.

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dividedsky Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Oct 02, 2008

I just found this idea in the Veggie forum: chicken tractor.

http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html

If your rows are wide enough and if you built a small version of this . . . .

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britbrighton Ancram, NY Oct 03, 2008

I used Milkyspore product. It is organic and kills the grubs by way of a bacteria exclusive to their systems without harming birds, plants etc...You need to apply it during a week of good rain or heavily water your lawn. One application lasts about 3-5 years. It worked great for me!

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Oct 04, 2008

Not all grubs are Japanese beetles. They could be some other pest.

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britbrighton Ancram, NY Oct 04, 2008

I didn't know that. Around here grubs= Japanese beetles. A telltale sign is dead patches of grass, which when removed, reveal white grubs. I haven't come across any other kind here.

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Oct 04, 2008

June bugs, too. Any species of scarab beetle.

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DesertRattess Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 07, 2008

These are in a raised garden bed so chicken tractor is not possible.....besides my chickens love to eat veggies too! The Milkyspore product sounds good. I wonder if I can get it at Home Depot. I'll have to do an internet search for it.

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britbrighton Ancram, NY Oct 07, 2008

I have seen it more often at actual garden centers, but over here in NY they stock seasonally, which they might not do in CA...

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Fitzy31 Phoenixville, PA Nov 17, 2008

This applies to Japanese Beetle Grubs:
I've tried both Beneficial Nematodes and Milky Spore. The nematodes (avail. via mail order from Gardens Alive) do the job very well if you're looking for spot treatment. I usually need to do two applications - one in Spring and another in late Summer.
Milky Spore (avail at local nurseries) does a great job but, typically, it needs a year or two in order to build up it's numbers in the soil but will last for several years after it reaches full effectiveness. You apply the spores where you've noticed problems in the past and then they muliply and spread throughout the soil over time.

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