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5 Best Grub Worm Killer (Reviews & Buying Guide)

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Due to their small sizes, grubs and the grub larvae can cause incredible damage to your lawn if you fail to apply the preventive measures or control them once they start infesting.

If you want to prevent renovating and repairing your lawn from severe grub worm damage, you will need to use grub killer insecticides as part of your lawn care program.

You will need to understand better the various insecticides that can proactively prevent grub damage or actively kill the grubs after infesting the lawn.

Keep in mind that the effectiveness of some of the grub killer products depends on the application timing, and so you will need to have them ready for application to achieve the highest efficacy.

Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Control Best Grub Worm Killers 2
Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Control via Amazon.com

Delaying the application can cause severe damage to the lawn as the grubs might be in the process of damaging the lawn. This review will help you identify the best grub worm killer and the active ingredients you should check before buying. Also, we help you on how you can apply it to achieve the best results.

Factors to Consider when Buying the Best Grub Worm Killer

Liquid vs. Granular

The first thing you should consider in a grub worm killer is whether the insecticide is in a liquid or granular form. A chemical in the liquid form is easier to spray and will reach all the corners of your lawn, maximizing the chances of the grubs coming into contact with it.

However, you might be able to gauge the coverage rate between a liquid spray and a granular application.

If you want to clean after the application, the liquid spills messier, making it difficult to clean. You may need to dilute the liquid grub worm killers with water before application, increasing the chemical’s contact time. For granules, you can apply them conveniently with a walk-behind spreader or even handheld.

Once you finish spreading, you can conveniently return the excess granules into the storage bag of the spreader for future use. Granules need adequate time to penetrate the soil, and it’s advisable to apply them before rainfall. Otherwise, the lawn will need watering.

Organic vs. Synthetic

Organic grub worm killers include beneficial nematodes and milky spores. These products utilize biological ways to prey on the grub worms in lawns.

The good thing about these grub worm killers is that they are safe for pets, humans and even beneficial to insects. Their effect can last for several years, and they are effective in killing grub worms.

However, they are slow, and your lawn might remain in danger of total damage as you wait for them to work. Typically, this is where synthetic treatment comes in handy. Synthetic treatment works fast and offers a longer control duration, spanning from three to four months.

Also, many synthetic products may not come with the necessary optimization for grub worms, so they kill a broader range of worms. They are the best choice if there is already there infestation on the lawn. You only need to apply them in the infested area, and they will effectively kill the grub worms.

Safety

Safety is one of the factors you don’t want to overlook when buying a grub worm killer. You will need to read the manufacturer’s label on the active ingredients in the product.

You need to strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructional manual on applying and mixing the products for both the synthetic and organic grub worm killers.

Besides, you need to consider the precautionary safety measures associated with the product, such as wearing closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, eyewear, and gloves when handling and mixing the product to avoid liquid spills and splashes.

You can go for a different grub worm killer category if you don’t have protective clothing,. Such categories may include granular insecticides.

Keep in mind that even granules can be dusty, and you will need to wear a mask and be in a well-ventilated place to prevent breathing the dust.

Also, you will need to consider the storage convenience of the excess insecticide after application. When it comes to disposing of empty containers, buy a grub worm killer that you can dispose of empty containers safely without posing risks to pets and humans.

Application

Different worm killers come with varying application methods depending on the nature of the product. When buying a grub worm killer product, you may want a product that uses an application method that you are familiar with to avoid application errors.

Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s application recommendations on application timing and rate.

When mixing and diluting the grub worm killers, use the right measurements to ensure the concentration is sufficient to kill the grub worms with minimal residual effect.

Remember to rinse off the containers and sprayers after application. Some grub worm killers work best before rainfall and others after rainfall. Some might even work well during a dry season. When buying, choose a product that best suits the prevailing season.

Active Ingredients

Different grub worm killers contain different active ingredients. Some are stronger than others, meaning you will need a small quantity or minimal concentration of the insecticide to eliminate the grubs.

Also, some will have a higher residual effect than others. Besides, some active ingredients in some grub worm killers may allow them to kill a wider range of worms than their counterparts.

However, finding grub worm killers from different manufacturers with the same active ingredients is not amazing. When buying a grub worm killer, please read on the bottom left or bottom right label that indicates the active ingredients and their composition in a percentage manner.

You can opt for the cheapest products with similar active ingredients but varying prices from different manufacturers. 

Bees and other Pollinators

Some active ingredients in grub worm killers include thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and Imidacloprid. These ingredients are poisonous to pollinators such as bees.

If you are planning to apply grub worm killers that contain these ingredients, it’s advisable to do so when the lawn is not flowering, as pollinators may not be present.

Also, you can remove the flowers if you are determined to use such grub worm killers even when the lawn is flowering.

Keep in mind that some of these ingredients might get into the grass, absorbs them from the soil through the roots, and finally, move back to the nectar and pollen. In such cases, the lawn can become a health hazard to bumblebees, honey bees, and other pollinators.


5 Best Grub Worm Killers

1. Bioadvanced Granules 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus

Bioadvanced Granules 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Best Grub Worm Killers

If you are looking for an instant grub killer, Bioadvanced Granules 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus is your ideal choice. This grub worm killer treats up to 10,000 square feet, making it ideal for large pieces of land.

The worm killer has trichlorfon (Dylox), an active ingredient that facilitates the faster killing of grubs. Bioadvanced granules is a 24-hour grub killer that offers excellent overnight results by killing on the contact provided you correctly water after applying effective soil absorption.

Additionally, Bioadvanced is a plus insect killer, ensuring the killing of many lawn insects such as cutworms, crickets, ticks, billbugs, and insects, thanks to its fast-acting nature.

Besides, this grub worm killer reduces mole activity significantly within a few days of application. When grubs are young, you should apply this product actively to feed near the soil’s surface, preventing further lawn damage.

The grub worm killer degrades faster, posing no residual effect to the lawn. Also, one application kills even the European crane fly larvae instantly, which are responsible for creating brown patches on the grassroots in summer and spring, enhancing its overall effectiveness.

However, this product might require a second application in the fall.

Pros
  • Ideal for large pieces of land
  • Facilitates faster killing of grubs
  • Ensures effective killing of other worms
  • The application process is straightforward
  • Significantly reduces mole activity
  • It has no residual effect on your lawn.
  • Easy to apply
Cons
  • Requires second application in the fall

2. Merit 0.5 Granular Systemic Insect Control

Merit 0.5 Granular Systemic Insect Control Best Grub Worm Killers

Merit 0.5 insect control is an ideal choice of grub worm killer as it contains 0.5% Imidacloprid, making it effective in killing grubs and other pests. Imidacloprid systemic insecticide functions like a neurotoxin.

Therefore, it should not be used in lawns with other desired insects, including bees, as it can reduce the number of bees.

Merit has a long residual control killing bugs and providing impressive long-term curative and preventive control. Besides curing grub infestation, Merit insect control helps you control lawn pests such as chinch bugs, billbugs, mole crickets, and aphids.

You can apply Merit granules in and around ornamental pests and turf such as trees, foliage plants, turf grasses, shrubs, and groundcovers, improving the quality of your turf.

Merit interferes with the grub’s nerve impulses and disrupts their feeding behavior, making it difficult for them to lay eggs.

To ensure optimum control of pests, you should follow the right application procedure by applying during rainfall or irrigating after application to assist in moving the active ingredient in the soil. 

Pros
  • Effective in killing grubs
  • Provides long-term preventive and curative control
  • Controls other lawn pests
  • Improves turf quality
  • It makes pests ability to lay eggs difficult
Cons
  • It harms honey bees

3. St. Gabriel Organics Gardeners Milky Spores

St. Gabriel Organics Gardeners Milky Spores Best Grub Worm Killers

If in search of a grub worm killer that is safe to beneficial insects, animals, people and not harmful to use around waterways, St. Gabriel Organics is your best option.

Milky spore is a microscopic bacteria that naturally kills Japanese beetle grubs before they grow into ravenous adults. This product is a long-term solution for it survives even in winter temperatures.

Milky spore grub control covers 10,000 square feet, making it an excellent choice for large lawns. However, this product is less effective for lawns with small areas of infestation.

With 15-20 years of grub control, this insecticide provides you with long-term treatment for your lawn, for it remains dormant in the soil till grubs begin feeding on the grassroots.

Additionally, spores start multiplying after ingestion, killing grubs from inside. Milky spore introduces a grub-killing disease to your lawn.

An increase in grubs, the faster the disease spreads, killing the remaining population. Few grubs make this insecticide less effective because the rate at which the disease spreads over to other grubs is low, particularly the ones lodged deep in the soil.

Application is simple as you only need to mix with a spreader and apply it from spring to fall.

Pros
  • Not harmful to beneficial insects, people, or animals
  • Offers a long-term solution to your lawn
  • Suitable for large lawns
  • It survives even in winter temperatures
  • Easy to apply
  • Highly effective as grubs consume the milky spores
Cons
  • It takes a year or more before you start seeing significant results
  • It’s less effective on a small population of grubs

4. Scotts GrubEx1-Season Long Grub Control

Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Control Best Grub Worm Killers

Protect your lawn from grub damage with Scotts GrubEx1 season-long grub control. This product is highly effective as it uses chlorantraniliprole to kill the target pests by ingestion or contact in a single application.

You will only need 2.87 pounds of granules for every 1000 square feet of lawn and then water the lawn to activate the granules.

No further application procedures, but you only need to allow the lawn to dry. When applied in early summer or the spring, this product is more effective at preventing and killing grubs within the first four months of application, providing a season-long control of grubs.

Besides, GrubEx1 prevents damage on the turf by killing grubs before they develop into adults.

Also, it kills Japanese beetles, Asiatic garden beetles, Aphodius spp, European chafers, and Oriental beetles, preventing them from damaging your lawn.

Easily apply it with Scott’s handheld spreader, ensuring your lawn remains free from insects. With GrubEx1, you can kill 25% more types of grubs compared to the original GrubEx.

The best thing is that it does not destroy earthworms, nematodes, and soil bacteria, enhancing soil quality and aggregation. Additionally, it assists in preventing root damage caused by insects, ensuring the lawn remains strong. However, this insecticide might not be effective if rained on.

Pros
  • It lasts for up to 4 months
  • Easy to apply
  • Both preventive and curative
  • Prevents damage on the turf
  • Enhances soil aggregation and soil quality
  • Prevents root damage, ensuring the lawns remain healthy and stronger
Cons
  • Less effective in rainy seasons

5. Organic Cold Pressed Neem Bliss

Organic Cold Pressed Neem Bliss Best Grub Worm Killers

Organic neem bliss is well known for its effectiveness in insect and pest control and controlling grubs in lawns. It is an evergreen neem tree seeds extract, so no worries about harmful ingredients or chemicals, making it safe for pets, humans, and plants.

However, this product irritates when it contacts your skin and eyes, so you should ensure children don’t access it.

Organic neem bliss is 100% cold-pressed, and there are no chemical additives or heat is applied at any point throughout the procedure, ensuring it’s safe for the soil.

A high content of Azadirachtin is used in its preparation, making it a more effective insecticide. When applied in the spring season, it incredibly kills all the grubs in your lawn.

With neem bliss, you create hormonal imbalances in insects and reduce their feeding rate, making it difficult for them to grow or mature and eventually die.

Although it does not yield immediate results, you should apply it daily in a fortnight, early in the morning or late in the evening. You can do this to prevent burning beneficial organisms. Using a surfactant spreader when applying it increases the spray coverage.

Pros
  • Safe for humans, pets, and plants
  • 100% cold-pressed
  • Azadirachtin increases its effectiveness
  • Easy to apply
  • It prevents normal hormone release that triggers growth and maturation in insects
Cons
  • Causes irritation on the skin and in the eyes

Conclusion

Grub worms infestation can quickly change an attractive green lawn into a patch of wasteland in a few weeks. In most cases, a grub worm infestation starts as a brown patch on the lawn and spreads and it become a challenge to kill them using conventional methods.

However, with the best grub worm killers, you can successfully eliminate grub worms from your lawn. The best grub worm killers should kill the grub worms in their larvae stage without killing beneficial insects.

Also, they should have a minimal residual effect and not kill the bees and other pollinators. However, even the best grub worm killers are toxic to humans and pets, so you should handle them with care.

The best-selling product is Bioadvanced Granules 700745S 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus because it comes with trichlorfon (Dylox), which is active ingredient that facilitate fasting killing of grubs.

Likewise, it has one time application that kill European crane fly larvae instantly that create brown patches. This product has attained the above factors because it has active ingredients, which ensure fast grub killing. Also, it comes with one time application to ensure instant larvae killing.