Grubs in my compost - Ask Extension
My compost pile is nearing it's file stages, but I see very large grub worms in it when I turn it. I want to use my compost in October when I over see...
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Grubs in my compost #276666
Asked September 08, 2015, 4:36 PM EDT
My compost pile is nearing it's file stages, but I see very large grub worms in it when I turn it. I want to use my compost in October when I over seed my lawn, but don't want the yard full of grubs. Help! What should I do? I have grubs in other areas of my yard and flower beds and usually use a granule type poison, but recently I planted fruit trees, so I was thinking about trying nematodes to control them now....any thoughts on this problem too? Thank you! Lacie
Pima County Arizona
Expert Response
Hi,
Can you send a photo of your grubs? They might be the kind that only survives in compost but I need to see them to be sure. Thanks.
Peter
Can you send a photo of your grubs? They might be the kind that only survives in compost but I need to see them to be sure. Thanks.
Peter
Here are 3 photos of the grubs in my compost pile. Some are small, like the ones I see in my flower beds, and the others are really large and look different than other grubs I've seen.
Hi,
Those are scarab beetles and they typically feed on plant roots including lawns. You don't want to spread those on your lawn while they are alive. Compost ideally gets hot enough to kill grubs although many home compost piles never get that hot. If you can screen them out and feed them to the birds, I am sure the birds would be grateful.
Peter
Those are scarab beetles and they typically feed on plant roots including lawns. You don't want to spread those on your lawn while they are alive. Compost ideally gets hot enough to kill grubs although many home compost piles never get that hot. If you can screen them out and feed them to the birds, I am sure the birds would be grateful.
Peter
