NATURAL GRUB CONTROL SERVICES
IN NORFOLK COUNTY & WATERLOO REGION

At Jody’s Lawn Care, there is only one type of living pest we can address in our line of work: grubs. Grubs can be the bane of a homeowner’s lawn. Their ability to create tunnels through soil, damaging a plant’s root system, is devastating. Grub population symptoms can range from brown patches (dying areas of grass) on the lawn, to spongy or loose turf areas and thinning grass.  They are phenomenal at destroying the root system of grasses and invoking further destruction through encouragement of Skunk feeding behaviours (grubs are a delicacy to Skunks). These creatures may appear simple, but their staged growth cycle and feeding habits make them difficult to manage.  

Grubs are actually just the beginning stage of a number of beetle species. In Southern Ontario, the most likely species would be the Japanese Beetle and the European Chafer beetle; neither of which are native to Canada. Females lay 40 to 60 eggs in mid-Summer, with hatching occurring about two weeks later (variable based on soil temperature and moisture). Warmer moist soil leads to a quicker hatch, while dry or compressed soil can extend the incubation period. Once hatched, they are now the grub larvae; this is when they are most destructive and consume the most vegetative material. The larvae then go through three stages of growth (instars) where they successively grow larger. During late Summer and early Fall the grubs are living closer to the surface of the soil. It is at this period when the brown patches of grass are usually apparent.  

Once the temperature starts to drop, it is a signal to the larvae to begin to burrow deeper into the ground, preparing to over winter. Here they lie dormant until the warmer Spring temperatures bring them back to the upper layers of soil and they begin to resume their feeding before entering a pupal stage. This is the stage whereupon they mature from grub (adolescent) to adult (bug). Like Butterflies, the mature larvae will create a cocoon-like chamber within the soil and begin to pupate. This period of maturation lasts one to three weeks. They remain underground during the entirety of their final transformation, only emerging when they have formed their complete adult body. This is usually in early to mid-Summer. Adults live between 30 and 60 days, during which they feed, mate, and lay eggs, continuing the cycle. July is when they are at their peak and the most bothersome. 

Simplified timeline:  

• June–August: Adult beetles feed and lay eggs. 
• July–September: Eggs hatch, and larvae feed on roots. 
• October–April: Larvae overwinter deep in soil. 
• May–June: Pupation and emergence as adults. 

In Ontario we are not allowed to use chemicals to manage weeds or pests; chemical use may be effective, but the long-term effects on the environment and living creature populations (including humans) is not worth the risk. Therefore, we have had to search out a natural remedy to the grub issue. This has led to the utilization of nematodes! We have learned that the exploitation of a natural predator of grubs, nematodes, is the most successful and safe method of management. Entomopathogenic nematodes (also called “beneficial nematodes”) are microscopic roundworms that target the larvae or pupa of the insects. They enter the body and release bacteria that break down the host from the inside out, becoming a food source for the nematodes. This breaks the generational cycle of the pest and reduces the population. 

The great thing about nematodes, beyond their practical applications, is that they are completely safe for humans and pets. They also do not negatively impact the ecosystem into which they are released. In fact, they add biodiversity to a soil and aid in improving soil health. 

Here at Jody’s Lawn Care, we feel the best time to apply the nematodes is during the Fall. This is the season when pests are likely to be in their larval stage, when there are still some eggs and larvae present, before they mature. The cooler Autumn temperatures aid in keeping the soil moist and the sunlight is less intense (important for providing a positive environment for the nematodes). Nematodes are susceptible to UV damage, so overcast days work great as well - another signature Fall feature. Nematodes are applied mixed into a water solution. Once applied, the soil needs to be kept moist for 5-10 days. 
 
We have seen many lawns affected by grubs in all our coverage areas, so the concern is widespread and legitimate. Whether you have sandy soil around Lake Erie in Port Dover, or the moisture rich clay in Waterford – and everything in-between that Simcoe and Delhi demonstrate – grubs can be a problem if your soil is untreated. Applying nematodes is a safe, simple method for improving your lawn’s health and help defend against destructive pests. Let JLC do the work for you – together we can give your lawn some TLC!