GRUB WORMS DEEP IN LAWN

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TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389350932	Reply with quote #1

I was just wondering if grub worms were actually a real treat to fig tree roots or not!? Since it is January and they are down about 1 foot in the ground, if i planted fig tree's next month if the roots might be eaten by these critters or not?? any input from anyone? __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1389356933	Reply with quote #2

You can buy nematodes that attack the grubs and eat them, other than that you would need to use chemical to kill them. I always have japanese beetle grubs in my yard, when i am digging I just feed them to the dogs but they haven't eat the roots enough that I can see to harm anything I have planted, if you have a lot they can do damage though. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389381733	Reply with quote #3

I'm sure they are the june bugs like below but in a larvae state... grub worms they call them in texas... how many would i have to have for them to become a problem?? I have like maybe one worm every square foot.... __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1389382866	Reply with quote #4

I thought the grubs always exist and it is the case of infestation (exceeding some number/sq ft) that they become problem manifesting in dead grass patches on the lawn. They eat the grass roots close to the surface until they emerge to fly away. With this kind of situation, there is small chance of fatal or serious damage to the fig tree root system (fat roots, secondary roots and feeder roots). Even if the grubs nibble at some feeder roots, consider it as mini root pruning. This is not an expert opinion, just some trust in fig determination to survive odds. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1389383594	Reply with quote #5

Those grubs are eggs laid by summer season Japanese beetles, aka "June bugs". You will find the majority of them in an area where a flood light was left on over night. They love the light and mating occurs and the couple falling in the spot light to mating and laying eggs for next year. Come spring you can tell where the grubs are due to the dead grass bare spots in your yard. Depending on your location, in early spring, throw down some insect granules and after a good rain, it will kill them including other insects. Then weed and feed your lawn. Good luck! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1389389031	Reply with quote #6

Japanese beetles and June bugs are two different critters. The picture in the post above is a June bug, Japanese beetles have metallic green front and brown wings and are a bit smaller. They are related though and the grubs in the ground for both look almost exactly the same. The June bugs are darn near everywhere but Japanese beetles are not. Thankfully here in Florida we don't have the Japanese beetles just very big June bugs. Here if you get a lot of those grubs the armadillos move in and tear up your yard horribly as they dig for them.

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389389752	Reply with quote #7

armadillos, send me all you got of them.... i need to plant alot of new fig tree's and need my yard renovated!! ha!! lol... __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1389402053	Reply with quote #8

We have loads of Japanese Beatles up here. They do a number on my grapes. No armadillos here, but the skunks sure love to dig in the yard. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389417132	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by kubota1 We have loads of Japanese Beatles up here. They do a number on my grapes. No armadillos here, but the skunks sure love to dig in the yard. I have a sure fire kill that won't hurt any product if your interested!!! kills them all when they swarm... vic __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1389477060	Reply with quote #10

Vic, What's the method to your madness? __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389478268	Reply with quote #11

Quote: Originally Posted by kubota1 Vic, What's the method to your madness? This is what you do.. buy a sprayer like the one for miracle grow with the bottle in the bottom of it and a hook up to your hose then buy prell dishwashing detergent (I use the green), which is bio-degradable and won't hurt your plants or tree's.. then when those pesky little critters come around, i just turn the dial to where it is dispensing just enough water and prell to create soap and spray them all at one time.. the prell, breaks down the viscosity of the water and it goes right into their mouths and lungs and kills them immediately.. I've seen the japanese beatles swarming my mission fig tree one year and thought about how to kill them and it kills them immediately.. they all drop dead within seconds.. I also turn off the pump in my swimming pool in the back yard and put a little bit of prell in that and whenever anything lands on the water for a drink, (like wasps or such), instead of staying on the top of the water, they plunge down below the prell and it holds them there until they're drowned.. about the same time 10 to 15 seconds tops.. Vic __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1389481531	Reply with quote #12

Sound likes a plan. I'll have to try that this summer. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

Chapman

Registered:1267669490
Posts: 351

Posted 1389497270	Reply with quote #13

I have lots of June beetles and I don't know of any damage from the grubs to my fig trees. __________________ South Louisiana, Zone 9

TheFigster

Registered:1383434380
Posts: 197

Posted 1389497924	Reply with quote #14

Quote: Originally Posted by Chapman I have lots of June beetles and I don't know of any damage from the grubs to my fig trees. Thank you Chapman... I appreciate your input.... I won't worry about them then..... Vic.. __________________ WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible. I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe!

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