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What is the best way to treat Japanese Beetle grubs? #746215

Asked April 25, 2021, 5:10 PM EDT

I live in South Minneapolis. Japanese Beetle grubs are eating my front lawn. I plan to treat them with nematodes. Do I need to spray the entire area of dead grass or just the green areas that are left? Is there a better way to treat them which won't be harmful to bees and animals? A friend told me there is a type of grass which these grubs don't like. Please let me know what I can use to replant my lawn and when is the best time to do it. Thank you, Molly Wells

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good for you for finding grubs and identifying them. Many people make assumptions that grubs are their problem when it usually is something else. Grubs are destructive and your lawn has sure suffered. It need to be re-seeded or sodded this spring. 

Unfortunately, spring is not the best time to treat grubs. They hatch in July and overwinter in the soil, so they are very large right now and will pupate into adults. There no grass species I know of that grubs will not feed on. 

The best time to treat is after hatching in the summer. Take a look at our webpage on Japanese beetles in yards and gardens. It provides good information about their lifecycle and treatment options.

Feel free to reply with additional questions.

Julie Weisenhorn, Extension Educator - Horticulture University of Minnesota Replied April 26, 2021, 1:58 PM EDT
Thank you.
On Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 12:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 26, 2021, 4:34 PM EDT

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