Grubs are the larvae of various beetles, and they feast on plant roots. This can be devastating for your crops. But thankfully, there are ways to keep grubs at bay. Here, are some tips to help you maintain a healthy garden that is free of grubs. Rushfields Plant Centre offers many organic ways to get rid of grubs. Please visit our centre in Poynings to discover many natural pesticides against grubs.
What are grubs?
The first step to avoiding grubs is understanding what they are. A grub is a larva that feeds on the roots of plants and may cause significant damage to your crops. Grubs can be controlled by using pesticides or nematodes, but these methods can be expensive and take some time. However, there are natural ways as well as some things you can do in your garden to prevent grubs from attacking your crops.
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Tips on how to get rid of grubs
There are many types of grubs. They can be found in soil, mulch, compost piles, and organic matter. Grubs eat organic materials and make a mess of your crops, lawn and garden plants. Luckily, there are natural ways to get rid of these critters. Here’s how:
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Spread a layer of grain around your planting containers – natural pesticides will be released from the grain as it breaks down.
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Cover the ground with a double layer of cardboard or newspaper before mulching – this is an effective way to keep them from getting into the mulch or compost pile.
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Add some diatomaceous earth near your plants – this is an excellent way to discourage pests from eating your plants.
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Pile mulch in a vertical layer all around your garden to keep out weeds.
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Rake up the soil and mulch to prevent plants from growing under the soil, which allows grubs to enter.
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Don't use harmful pesticides and insecticides in your garden, this will kill other beneficial insects and lead to a loss of biodiversity in your garden.
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Make sure to grow native plants, which do not carry any chemical pathogens that would cause grubs to survive in your garden.
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Don't rake up the leaves, as you will get those in the soil and spread them, which will again allow the grubs to survive and thrive.
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Use worms to eat grubs and other pests in the garden; they will also improve the soil.
Organic pest control against grubs
If you want to get rid of lawn worms by using organic pest control, there are several options available. All of which are considered safe and effective. These include milky spore, neem oil, and nematodes — available at Rushfields Plant Centre.
- Milky spore is a disease that can effectively treat lawn grubs and is environmentally safe. Spores are applied to affected lawn areas, infecting lawn grubs as they feed. Once the grubs die and decompose, additional spores are released into the soil, which helps prevent further infestations.
- Neem oil is a botanical pesticide that includes insecticidal features. Use neem oil as a repellant against Japanese beetles and lawn grubs — hindering egg-laying, growth, and feeding. Mix neem oil with water and spray it onto affected lawn spaces.
- Beneficial nematodes can also be used as natural grub pest control. These miniature, soil-dwelling worms release bacteria into the soil that poisons and destroys lawn grubs. Nematodes are available in fluid form or mixed with water and need to be sprayed onto affected areas.
8 plants to get rid of grubs
Grubs can cause a lot of damage to your lawn. They can even come into your house and feast on your floors, carpets, and wooden beams. Not only does this create an unsightly appearance in your home, but it can also affect the structural integrity of your home. Fortunately, there are a few plants you can grow that will keep the grubs away. These include:
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
- Mint (Mentha)
- Bay leaves (Laurus nobilis)
- Woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
- Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Weeds such as French-maids, broad-leaved plantain, and daisy fleabane
- Catnip or catmint
If you want to get rid of grubs in your crops, lawn or garden plants, please follow the tips in this blog and always try to use natural pesticides. If you need any help with choosing the right natural way, please ask our staff workers for advice. They’d love to help you out.
