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Grub Killing with Milky Spore

Until we started digging up the garden I had never seen a grub up close. I wasn't missing anything. They are slimy white curved bugs with wild looking legs. All I had to do was lift the soil for them to shake loose, dropping back into the bed below.

See that white little friend hiding in the soil?
There he is up close and blurry. (Night photo didn't come out so hot.)

Another one poking his little head out of the soil.
Smile for your close up buddy!

If you don't know much about them: here's the non-scientific overview that I've gotten. They are the larva of the Japanese Beetle and they spend copious amounts of time eating at the root system of your lawn and killing it.

Right about now (March/April) they are making their way to the ground surface right below your lawn after a long winter inches below - and they are gearing up for a feast.

Since I'm planting veggies I didn't want to use chemical based fertilizer to fix the problem - so, as recommended, I bought Milky Spore.

It's a bacteria that inoculates the soil and eats the grubs from the inside out. Fancy. It won't harm you or your pets - and it's safe for the veggie garden.

I was able to find it without any problem at Lowes. However they don't sell the applicator wand recommended for convenient dispersing. I might get one tonight or I might just forge through without.

They recommend applying before a rain or water the lawn for 15 minutes post application.

I am thinking of putting it down tonight - I'll let you know how it goes!

Comments

  1. courtApril 6, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    Look at you! I'm so impressed. I can't wait to see how it all comes along!

    ReplyDelete

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