Lawn bug issue, Grubs. Installing veg garden, what to do?

[hardland]

I have a large back yard in Sth FL. I started to put a veg garden in place, raking, compost, pete moss, etc, etc. My lawn has been getting worse over the last few months. I wasn't too concerned beacuse I had planned to renovate a lot of it into a veg garden anyway. I now realise what was killing the grass, White grubs, along with the the adult beatles. It seems the only treatment for these grubs is Imidacloprid, or brand name premise/merit/advance etc. I have read that this chemical can be harmfull to bees. I'm not sure what to do. If I treat the lawn but not the veg gaden area, will the grubs move into the veg garden? How harmful is premise? Is there an organic treatment, less harmful to the bees? Any input would be appreciated.

[Monarda]

Get yourself some chickens! They like nothing better than a nice, juicy grub!

Seriously, though, beneficial nematodes should take care of the problem without the use of chemicals. If your local garden supply shop can't get them for you, you can buy them online.

[cynthia_h]

Many members of the forum have also recommended "milky spore," a bacterium (fungus?) which thrives on those grubs and which persists in the soil for a long time. Safe for mammals, including humans of all ages and sizes, and safe for pollinators of all orders.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[garden5]

Many members of the forum have also recommended "milky spore," a bacterium (fungus?) which thrives on those grubs and which persists in the soil for a long time. Safe for mammals, including humans of all ages and sizes, and safe for pollinators of all orders.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_spore]Here[/url] is some info on milky spore.

It looks pretty effective, but I'm not sure how the bacteria would hold up to the soil-working and cultivating that comes with a garden. I would think it's worth a try, though.

However, you should do not only your garden, but also your whole lawn, otherwise you'll just have more grubs replacing the ones you killed.

I'm not sure, but Bt. may work. I can't remember if it has to come in contact with the pest to be effective, though .

[hardland]

Wow, that seems to be what I need. Thank you so much.

[hardland]

This milky spore really seems to be what I need. I wish I could find it locally! I wonder if it is similar to BT or Spinosad, both of which I have in hand. I may have to order from the website.

[cynthia_h]

Here's another thread where some of these questions were discussed earlier this year:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=130049

Hope this helps!

Cynthia

[garden5]

From what MarlinG said, the persistent cultivating of garden soil was actually beneficial to the milky spore! Good to know.

If you can't find it locally, Hardland, you can always order it online.

[hardland]

Great! I found the Milky Spore online and should have it next week. It sounds like I can even use this in my vegetable garden itself. Thanks for the valuable advice.

[bradhurl1]

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