Japanese Beetle Grub Control
Grub Control to Major Tom…
August may not seem the most logical time to be thinking about annual Japanese Beetle control; however, we are heading into an important part of their cycle for prevention. The class of 2026 has had their fun in your lawn/garden and are burrowing down to lay their eggs for the class of 2027. These eggs will shortly hatch at the end of August through the beginning of September when they will begin their silent buffet.
Image from St. Gabriel’s MilkySpore
As the chefs to their first scrumptious bites, we can opt this time of year to add some additional zest to their meal plan through products such as Grub Free Zone or Milky Spore. Both of these products are applied through broadcasting in granular or powder form over the area you wish to treat. It then becomes a systemic solution to control the upcoming class of Japanese Beetles. This means that as the JB freshmen begin to feed and grow off the soil/roots where the product is being stored, they consume the product, and (to put it nicely) won’t need a cap and gown for graduation in 2027.
Here are some specs to consider for each of these products:
Hi-Yield Grub Free Zone III
- Used on lawns and ornamentals
- Granular broadcasting application
- Once a year treatment
- 30lbs treats up to 25,000 sqft (application rate varies per larvae type)
- Active ingredient: 0.5% imidacloprid, 1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridinyl) methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine
- Can be used for larvae of: Japanese Beetles and many other larvae listed on the packaging
St. Gabriel Organic Milky Spore 
- Milky Spore is a natural bacterium for grub control of Japanese Beetles
- Comes in granular and powder form
- Kills the grub stage of JBs in 7-10 days
- The spore continues to multiply and remains present in the soil for continued prevention
- 100% Organic, safe for humans, pets, plants, shrubs, and beneficial insects
- Apply any time of year when the ground is workable
- Apply a second treatment in early spring (late April based on soil temps)
- 10lbs treats 1 acre in powder form
Give us a call at 423-282-3431 or stop by to find out more about implementing a Japanese Beetle prevention plan for next year. You can find these two products and other garden supplies at our Johnson City location – 511 Princeton Rd. Johnson City, TN 37601.
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