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formerly RGG

How much of a problem are grubs ? Does imidacloprid kill them ? I was planting tomato plants around the perimeter of my patch today and was running into a lot of them. I even found more then one in a few holes I dug. I knew they were in the horse manure I spread on my patch and eliminated all the ones I actually saw when I was moving and working it in. But it looks like it is possible there may be hundreds or even thousands of them left in my soil. I have never had this problem before, so I need advice.

5/6/2012 11:11:07 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes Dennis I had this happen to me years ago,fresh horse manure can have grubs in it the next year.I found dozens of grubs in my root system surrounding my melons about 10 to 12 years ago maybe longer.They will be worse up bt the stumps.I wonder if this is causing some of the bushy plants,as the grubs will slow root growth.I think Merit would kill them,ask Tom.If I use fresh horse(under 2 years)I spray it first,before spreading,Now I use the 8 year old instead.

5/7/2012 7:21:06 AM

The North Coast

I'd be reluctant to go with merit over the entire patch to eliminate the grubs. While I use merit on my AG, I can easily eliminate the flowers. That is just impossible with a melon. It is a judgement call...that's a lot of poisonous flowers eliminating a lot of pollinators for a long time.

One of the only limitations on the intensity of my giant vegetable pursuits is not to do anything with severe collateral damage.

I have also seen the contact pesticides that you are using, I wonder what the odds are that the overspray/run off would be effective at killing the grubs?

5/7/2012 8:39:09 AM

formerly RGG

I have stopped using the contact insecticides as I have been told they may harm my plants. I hope the roots are growing faster than any damage is being done by the grubs. I think that the imidaclorpid may help the problem but I will be sure not to use too much of it. So I don't anticipate a huge problem from the grubs, but who knows.

5/7/2012 4:20:41 PM

Manchester, TN

I can send you some of my moles, they seem to love the grubs at my house. I'm 2 months into a 3 month contract, the guy I hired has caught 23 moles already, we're getting to the end of them, but we're not there yet

5/8/2012 1:14:36 PM

Muddy Waters

The moles main diet is worms,Grubs are a secondary food for them.

5/8/2012 6:14:24 PM