Grubs are the meanest little trouble-makers…
They won’t bite you, poison you, or sting you. But they will DESTROY your garden if you let them.
One day you have a gorgeous lawn shining under the sun. On the other, you’re presented with shaved-off grass.
These tiny larvae from beetles and chafers can be the worst nightmare for your garden.
How can you fix this? Even better, how can you prevent it?
Easy: you use the best grub killer
It’s the easiest, most effective, and safest way to remove grubs from your garden (and keep them away for long).
Want to know which grub killers are worth a try? Then keep reading!
7 Best Grub Killers for Lawns Reviews in 2022
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Bio-Advanced Grub Killer Plus | • 24-HOUR GRUB KILLER • PLUS INSECT KILLER • PREVENTS LAWN DAMAGE | ||
Bayer Dylox 6.2 Granular Insecticide | • Kills and Controls Armyworms • use in and around landscape flowers • Trichlorfon 6.2% | ||
Scotts GrubEx1 | • kills and prevents grubs for 4 months • Prevents turf damage • Kills 25 percent more grub | ||
Ike’s Lawn Grub Control | • INSECTS CONTROLLED • long control and best results • Up to 64,000 per quart | ||
Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer | • KILLS MORE THAN 100 INSECT TYPES • KILLS ON CONTACT • Environmentally friendly | ||
The Andersons DuoCide Insect Control | • double kill • eliminating pests both above and below the soil's surface • provides curative treatment | ||
St Gabriel ORGANICS Milky Spore Grub Control Mix | • Organic Compound • Attacks Larvae Of Japanese Beetles • Kills Grubs For 15 To 20 Years |
#1. Bio-Advanced Grub Killer Plus
- 24-HOUR GRUB KILLER: Delivers overnight results by killing grubs in 24 hours
- PLUS INSECT KILLER: Also kills Ants, Ticks, Billbugs, Chinch Bugs, Crickets, Cutworms, Earwigs, Grasshoppers, and more
One day you have a destroyed garden. You decide to get rid of the grubs. You apply the Grub Killer Plus, and voila!
The next day you’ll see all the dead bodies… MAGIC!
Well, it’s not magic. But it’s actually the most effective grub killer you’ll find. DYLOX.
As the main chemical in the mix, these granules stop the grubs right there. No more than 24 hours would be enough to see FANTASTIC results. And you’ll be ready to fix and restore your garden right away.
Not only does it kill grubs, but crickets, cutworms, ants, ticks, grasshoppers, billbugs, and all other insects that may eat away your garden plants.
This bag contains 20 pounds of granules. That’s more than enough to spread over 10,000 square feet. THAT’S A LOT!
EVEN BETTER: The granules act almost instantly and leave a protective layer that prevents other larvae from growing. YOUR GARDEN WILL BE GRUB-FREE FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON!
No products found. Dylox is easily the most effective insecticide to get rid of grubs on your lawn. Bayer’s version, Dylox 6.2, is all of that and more. It is a granular option, fast-dissolving, and highly penetrating chemical. As soon as you apply and water it, the insecticide gets deep into the soil and grass to kill EVERYTHING. Like every Dylox grub killer, this one acts in 24 hours (or even less). Even then, it still lasts several weeks (and sometimes an entire season), so you won’t have to worry about grubs for a bit. No products found.
No products found.
Best of all, you can use it almost ANYWHERE without drawbacks. The effectiveness yet the safety of this grub killer is such that you’ll find it almost impossible not to like. And because it is Dylox (Trichlorfon), it also kills many other insects, going from chinch bugs to weevils, mole crickets, billbug larvae, and a wide array of worms. DON’T IGNORE THIS: This is a HUGE 30-pound bag, packaged for commercial use mainly (but you can use it for any type of garden) as long as you store it freshly. It may last you a REALLY long time. A gardener who’s never used Scotts products was probably never a beginner. And it’s true. Scotts is a brand for homeowners who want decent quality and low prices. Yet, that doesn’t mean GrubEx1 is a bad choice. The other way around, it’s a GREAT grub killer. Why? Because it’s SUPER-EFFECTIVE. In just a couple of days, you should start seeing dead bodies around, and NO INSECTS. The formula contains a wide array of ingredients that kills almost everything on its path. And what’s even better, it keeps the area protected against insects for up to 4 MONTHS! You’re unlikely to get any bag with 28.7 pounds of grub killer product that still works as effectively. And for the cost? It’s a total bargain! DON’T FORGET THIS: Because it doesn’t contain highly toxic chemicals like other alternatives, it conserves the soil and keeps bees plus other beneficial insects safe. Don’t want to spread granules and then dissolve them (or even worse, wait for the rain to do it)? Then you need a liquid insecticide – like the Lawn Grub Control from Ike’s. It’s not a lie when we say this is a SUPER-PRACTICAL way to kill grubs in your garden. Being liquid allows for the easiest application. As little as 0.5 ounces should be enough to cover 1,000 square feet. Obviously, it needs some preparation and dilution in water to not cause damage. The reason? It’s 21.4% Imidacloprid: a chemical that kills FAST. The power of this insecticide is outstanding, to say the least. You’ll be getting rid of grubs, beetles, chafers, crickets, and crane flies. After applying this liquid insecticide, you can say goodbye to insects on your lawn, for real. Want to get rid of grubs and all other insects that may roam around your grass? Look no further than the Triazicide from Spectracide. It can kill over 100 species. This includes the grubs, crickets, many types of worms, antes, and even ticks. You can also kill beetles and chafers. And for those who hate flies, fleas, and aphids – this one KILLS THEM ALL! It’s pretty much a multi-purpose grub killer ready to clean your lawn from unwanted intruders. AND IT DOES THE JOB PERFECTLY! The most exciting part is how easy it is to use. As simple as spreading the granules and then watering to dissolve should be enough to get insects off. A few days will pass, and you’ll find a cleaner lawn. YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS: The chemical is so effective that it makes the lawn inhabitable for insects, as well as CRITTERS. From armadillos to moles and gophers, they will all flee after applying this product. You don’t want low-quality insecticides making your garden inhabitable. A safe yet effective alternative will be the best choice, like the DuoCide from The Andersons. Its effectiveness comes from the combination of bifenthrin and carbaryl. These two chemicals are among the STRONGEST you can get, ready to tidy up your lawn right away. But there’s something that sets apart DuoCide from other pesticides: it comes with the Dispersible Granule technology. This DG design means you get EXCEPTIONAL dispersion, as the granules start to break down as soon as you apply them. With a bit of water, they will dissolve completely and start acting (almost instantly). YOU ALSO GET A superb formula that kills pests over the soil, like crickets, ticks, and fleas. But it also works under the soil, eliminating grubs, worms, and ants. The most common grub is the Japanese beetle. And the best solution for that type of grub is Milky Spore. Also known as “Paenibacillus popiliae,” this mix is less of an insecticide and more of a bacterium. You can expect to KILL all grubs almost right away. Once the grubs get infected, they won’t come back into the place without dying – FOR UP TO 20 YEARS. And because it is bacteria that affects the Japanese beetle grub only, it won’t cause any damage to other species. So whether it is birds or bees, pollinators, or even fish in a nearby Koi pond – they’ll all stay safe. Unsurprisingly, it is a long-lasting product in the sense that 20 pounds can last UP TO 20,000 SQUARE FEET. So you can cover that much and give yourself a grub-free garden. PLUS: It stays safe for the soil and plants as well. You won’t have to worry about causing damage to any other species after applying this bacterium. Unless you’re an expert or long-time gardener, you probably have little to no idea about these grub killers (and how they work). If you want to pick the BEST INSECTICIDE FOR GRUBS, you probably need to know EXACTLY what to consider and what to avoid (always according to your needs). For that, you can find our guide below to be pretty helpful: You can find out whether it is a fast-acting or slower grub killer by checking its active ingredients. It works like this: These are all those insecticides you apply before the larvae appear. In addition, they will make the area inhospitable for them, so you’re less likely to see grubs dancing around. Among preventive insecticides, you can find: You can reduce up to 100% of all grubs with a proper application. Some insecticides won’t stay in the soil for long, but they will act FAST. So you can kill up to 80% or a bit more of the entire grub population almost instantly with these insecticides. Here are some to consider: Most of these curative insecticides reduce the grub population within 24 hours and 7 days (and can last up to 3 months). Lastly, you can find other insecticides that are actually bacteria that, instead of killing the insects right away, make them sick and kills them over time. Here are some bacterium insecticides to consider: They are pretty cost-effective, and their effects can last for over 20 years, sometimes reducing the grub population to zero. Once you’ve figured out the ideal type of grub killer, go and check whether it comes in granules or liquid. The difference is that granules take a bit more time to prepare and spread over. They also dissolve less quickly, so they may act a few hours/days to their effectiveness. Liquid insecticides dissolve almost instantly, get absorbed right away, and their effects tend to be a lot faster. Generally, however, it’s mostly a preference. Most people prefer granules because it covers more space, while others go for liquid given its practicality (it can be used in sprayers, for example). After deciding between liquid and granules, consider HOW MUCH of the insecticide you’re getting. What should the bag tell you? First: how much you get (in pounds for granules and ounces for liquids) Second: the amount should give you an idea of how much each bottle/bag will last. Third: accordingly, you should approximate how much land will cover (in square feet). As a general rule, you should get for no less than 10 pounds if you want to cover at least 1,000 square feet per year. With these three things in mind, you’ll have an easier time deciding how much insecticide you’ll need. So you have an idea of what grub killer may work for your needs. Now let’s teach you WHEN you should use it. There are several answers to this question: Because some grub killers like bacterium types work ONLY FOR GRUBS, you don’t want to waste any of the product by using it on the wrong insects. At the same time, you may have grubs, but probably they are less than the worms and larvae from other insects. A grub killer may not be the best idea there, but a general insecticide. To be sure they are grubs, dig a small patch of dead lawn to about 2 inches deep. Then check if the grubs are underneath the patch. If you can’t find white larvae roaming around, your problem is probably a different thing. Otherwise, proceed… Grubs are larvae-state beetles. If you apply an instant killer when they haven’t even hatched, you may not get any result (as it can dissolve in a month and the larvae still hatch). But if you need to kill them instantly but apply a preventive grub killer, then you may not get the ideal results either. The solution? Only apply INSTANT killers in the Spring or Fall. These would be curative insecticides when the larvae are already hatched. But if you’re in the winter or mid-summer, then go for PREVENTIVE or slower grub killers. They’ll stay on the area long enough to prevent the grub killers from hatching (and kill the ones that do). Applying grub killers is not as easy as it seems. The reason being THEY’RE ALL DIFFERENT. If you aren’t well aware of the process, you may end up applying A LOT MORE or A LOT LESS than you should. The result? Damage to the soil or almost no change. Here are a few tips you can follow to avoid that. Once again, the best guide for applying the SPECIFIC type of grub killer you bought is in the bag of the product. That way, you’ll have an easier time as well as fewer things to worry about. A PREVENTIVE grub killer will take anywhere from 3 weeks up to 4 months to get the job done. A CURATIVE will start working almost right away, getting rid of grubs within 24 hours. While it is unlikely a grub killer will cause severe damage to any pet, it’s ALWAYS better to keep your pets from entering the recently-treated area. You can wait until the soil has dried (about 1 to 3 days) to leave your pets roaming around the place. Depending on the type you choose, there’s a chance you can get decent results. But moles and other critters mainly eat vegetation, so they’re unlikely to get affected directly by soil insecticides like grub killers. You can apply fertilizer almost right away. However, if you’re using weed and feeds and other supplemental products, it’s better to wait until the soil has dried completely. There’s no reason to wait any time after applying grub killers. Unless the insecticide instructions say otherwise, you’re free to use almost any type of chemical in the area. Most insecticides may cause a bit of damage to vegetables, herbs, and fruit plants. That’s why it’s better to only use grub killers on lawns and grassy areas. So, did you find the best grub killer for lawns in our choices above? If not, at least take all our recommendations in the buying guide so you can eventually pick the right one. Regardless of your choice, be sure it’s something that TRULY meets your demands and your lawn’s needs over ANYTHING else. Having said that, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Those grubs won’t go away by magic – KILL THEM ALL WITH THE RIGHT GRUB KILLER NOW!#2. Bayer Dylox 6.2 Granular Insecticide
#3. Scotts GrubEx1
If you’re on a budget, this could be your best bet.#4. Ike’s Lawn Grub Control
CONSIDER THIS: It comes in a double-mouth bottle that makes it a piece of cake to apply (on top of being liquid).#5. Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer
#6. The Andersons DuoCide Insect Control
#7. St Gabriel ORGANICS Milky Spore Grub Control Mix
How to Choose the Ideal Grub Killer for Your Lawn?
Type of Grub Killer (Active Ingredients)
1. Preventive Insecticides
2. Curative Insecticides
3. Bacterium Insecticides
Granules or Liquid
Quantity and Coverage
When to Apply a Grub Killer?
Are grubs really the problem?
What is the state of the grubs?
How to Apply Grub Killer?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How long for grub killer to work?
Q2. Is grub killer harmful to dogs and cats?
Q3. Will grub killer get rid of moles and other critters?
Q4. Can you apply grub killer and fertilizer at the same time?
Q5. Can I start reseeding and planting after applying a grub killer?
Q6. Are grub killers safe for vegetable and herb gardens?
Conclusion