Grubs cause those nasty brown patches in your lawn as they feed on the roots of your grass. Depending on the level of infestation, your lawn could be under serious threat. No-one wants to see their lawn die off as the grubs take over.
Fortunately, modern horticulture has a solution to your grub problem. Grub killer products help to eliminate the grubs feeding on your grass. Grub killer products are an affordable and widely available solution to restoring your lawn’s health.
In this review, we’ll unpack the best grub killer products for your lawn. We’ll make suggestions on our top picks and give you a comprehensive selection of products for your lawn care this summer.
Our Top Picks
If you can’t wait to start your lawn maintenance, why bother reading the rest of this review? We have our top three picks right here. If you’re looking to order the best grub killer for your yard, any one of these three products is a great choice for your maintenance duties.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Best Pick: Spectracide Triazicide Acre Plus
Spectracide is a leading brand in home horticulture, providing a range of insecticides to kill pests and grubs munching on the roots of your lawn. This Triazicide product is its flagship, providing coverage for up to 44,000 square feet. This product comes in a granular format, making it a top choice for your yard and public spaces like golf courses and parks. The granular material is easy to spread by hand or using a dispenser. - The Premium Pick: Bonide Products Inc 60360 Insect/Grub Killer
This grub-killer product is our top choice for the best premium product in this review. You get enough coverage for 15,000-square feet with this product and fast action. Bondie Products grub killer comes in granular format for easy and consistent spreading across your lawn. Sow it by hand or using a mechanical spreader for the best results. - The Budget Pick: Monteray All Natural Grub Killer
Homeowners and professional landscapers looking for the best budget deal in this review will get the best value out of this Monteray All-Natural Grub Killer formula. This product features non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients that don’t damage your lawn or local wildlife. This product comes in a gallon jug, making it an economical way to maintain your lawn this summer.
Grub Killer Reviews
Now that you have an idea of the best grub killer products in this review, let’s look at them in more detail. We’ll also unpack the features and specifications of a few other products for your lawn maintenance duties.
Spectracide Triazicide Acre Plus
When the grubs start dining on the roots of your grass, use this product to stop them from feeding. Spectracide is one of the leading brands in lawn care and pest control. This granular formulation is ideal for keeping your lawn free of grubs and pests this growing season.
- KILLS LAWN INSECTS: Use outdoors on lawns and as a band treatment around your house foundation.
- ACRE PLUS: Treats up to 44,000 square feet of lawn.
- KILLS ON CONTACT: Treat when insects first appear or when you notice lawn damage.
- CONTROLS GRUBS: Treat any time between late July and early October.
- GRANULAR FORMULA: Distribute granules uniformly around the treatment area; water in lightly immediately after application.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get a 35.2-pound bag that treats up to 44,000-square feet of grass. The long-lasting formula requires application every three months. We recommend spreading it at the beginning and towards the end of the summer for the best results.
This formulation kills grubs and other pests on contact. The brown color of the granules blends in with the thatching on your lawn, and it’s easy to spread. Load the granules into an automatic or manual spreader machine for the best coverage around your yard.
- Season-long grub control
- Treats up to 44,000-square feet
- Kills grubs on contact
- Kills a variety of lawn pests
- A granular formula for spreading across large areas
Bonide Products Inc 60360 Insect/Grub Killer
Homeowners looking for the best premium grub killer available should go with Bondie DuraTurf Insect and Grub Control. This product features a granular design that’s easy to spread by hand or in a spreading machine. You get a fast-killing action, stopping grubs feeding on your lawn right away.
- INSECT KILLER - This pest control is great for use on species of ant, cricket, chinch bug, billbug, cutworm, earwig, flea, roach, grub, sod webworm, tick and other listed species of bug.
- PROTECT YOUR LAWN AND HOME - Insect and Grub Control is designed for fast acting, long lasting control from invading species. Use outdoors, on lawns and around the foundation of the house. Not for indoor use.
- TOP TO BOTTOM PROTECTION - Product offers complete insect control for the soil and surface of your yard. It will kill insects both above and below the surface of your lawn.
- DUAL ACTION DEFENSE - Combines the systemic action of Imidacloprid with the fast acting insect control of Lambda-Cyhalothrin. This allows Insect and Grub to kill insects in 24 hours while providing soil and surface protection for up to 3 months.
- EASY APPLICATION - Granules should either be distributed as a barrier around the house foundation or spread throughout the lawn with a fertilizer spreader. Water lightly immediately after application.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This 6-lb bag cover 15,000-square feet of lawn. The long-lasting formula requires reapplication every three months. Therefore, we recommend you use Bondie grub killer at the start of the summer and a few weeks before the beginning of the fall. After spreading, you’ll need to water the granules to activate the insecticide.
This formula utilizes the potent killing action of Imidacloprid with the fast-acting Lambda Cyhalothrin for ultimate grub-killing strength. This formula also kills up to 140 different kinds of insects around the yard. It’s an expensive product, but reviews show its effective at restoring your lawn’s health.
- Powerful insect and grub killing formula
- Season-long protection for your lawn
- Fast-killing action in 24-hours
- A granular formulation for easy spreading
- Covers up to 15,000-feet
Monteray All Natural Grub Killer
Some homeowners have concerns about using chemical fertilizers and insect control formulas on their lawn. Toxic ingredients might harm birds that pick at dying grubs. However, there are eco-friendly, biodegradable solutions for your grub killing needs.
This product from Monteray offers you organic grub control of your lawn. You get a large 2-gallon jug of liquid grub-killer, with the same fast-killing action as other chemical products. This formula features no toxic ingredients, and it’s safe for local wildlife.
- ORGANIC DISEASE CONTROL FOR PLANTS - Complete disease control prevents and stops powdery mildews, rust, leaf blight, brown rot, leaf spots anthracnose, gray mold and other diseases affecting leaves, flowers, roots and tubers
- COLONIZES ROOT HAIRS - Monterey Complete Disease Control also colonizes the root hairs of plants. This helps in preventing the establishment of disease-causing fungi and bacteria
- EASY TO USE - Complete disease control must be mixed with water and applied as a spray to fruit and foliage, or as a drench to plant roots. Carefully read label for specific mix rate information
- FOR ORGANIC GARDENING - OMRI Listed for Organic Gardening. Organic Material Review Institute reviews products to ensure a product complies with all organic standards under the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP)
- VARIETY OF USES - Can be used on vegetables, fruits, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs, houseplants, and more
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This organic grub killer features a formulation that stops the grubs from feeding on your grass immediately. It’s a liquid product, requiring dilution and application using a pump sprayer. However, you get fast and efficient coverage for your lawn, with a long-lasting formula that requires reapplication every 90-days.
The Monteray All-Natural Grub Killer is a top choice for an eco-friendly option. This product meets standards set by the National Organic Program (NOP) for use in vegetable gardens.
- Organic formulation recognized by the NOP
- Effective grub control all season
- Prevents surface and sub-level feeding
- A large 2-gallon drum of concentrate
- Biodegradable and eco-friendly
Bonide Products 603 Annual Grub Killer
Bonide gets a second mention in this review for this grub-killer formula. With this granular grub-killer, you get fast and effective elimination of grubs feeding on your lawn. The fast-acting formula stops feeding right away and kills the grubs within 24-hours.
- 6 lb., Annual Grub Killer
- Covers up to 5,000 square feet
- Provides season long grub control for nearly all turf damaging grub species
- Apply formula late May through mid-August for best results
- Stops feeding activity immediately, and kills quickly
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The granular formulation is easy to spread, and you’ll need to activate it with light watering. This 6-lb bag comes with enough coverage for up to 5,000-square feet. You get a long-lasting product, requiring one application for the entire season.
Spread it by hand on your lawn, or use a manual spreading machine for the best coverage results. You only need one application in the early summer, and your yard gets effective protection all-season long. This product contains Imidacloprid’s killing action, blended with fast-acting Lambda Cyhalothrin, to stop the grubs from feeding immediately.
- Coverage for up to 5,000-feet
- Effective grub control
- Season-long grub control
- Stops feeding immediately and kills within 24-hours
- A granular formulation for easy spreading
Spectracide 1-Gallon Acer Plus Triazicide
This product is the liquid version of the granular grub killer that wins this review’s top pick. You get the same advanced formulation that kills over 180 types of pests in your yard. This liquid product sprays on with a pump sprayer, giving you up to 64,000-square feet of coverage.
- FAST-ACTING FORMULA: Protects lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs
- ACRE PLUS: Covers up to 64,000 square feet of lawn
- KILLS 180 PLUS PESTS ON CONTACT: Kills above and below ground – kills grubs, ants, fleas, chinch bugs, mosquitoes, sod webworms, aphids, beetles, whiteflies, mites, deer ticks, Japanese beetles, European crane flies and other listed insects
- LONG-LASTING FORMULA: Provides up to 2 months of control of nuisance pests
- CONCENTRATE FORMULA: Mix with water – see product label for mixing rates
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The long-lasting formula requires reapplication every three months, and e recommend using it at the start of the summer and a few weeks before the beginning of the fall. It’s easy to mix this liquid product, and a little goes a long way with this concentrate.
This formula kills on contact and doesn’t require any watering after spreading. However, unless you’re using a large-capacity sprayer, you might have to refill to cover a large lawn.
- Coverage for up to 64,000-square feet
- Kills over 180 types of garden pests
- Long-lasting formula
- Easy to mix
- Money-back guarantee
Spectracide Yard Protection
Grubs aren’t the only problematic insects affecting the health of your lawn. During the summer, fire ant colonies come to life. They love building nests under your grass as it provides them with warmth and protection.
However, fire ant colonies can be dangerous, especially for children. This Spectracide formula kills fire ant colonies, eliminating the queen. While it has a specific formulation for clearing fire ants from your yard, this product is also effective at killing grubs.
- Yard protection granules: kills the mound and prevents new mound formation – use outside on lawns and around house foundations
- Kills the queen and colony: kills the fire ant queen and colony fast – starts to kill in minutes
- Season-long control: up to 3 months control against red imported fire ants
- Also kills: crickets, chinch bugs, armyworms, bill bugs, cutworms, earwigs, fleas, roaches, grubs, sod webworms, ticks and other listed insects
- Money-back guarantee: guaranteed results or your money back – see product label for details
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get a granular product, requiring spreading by hand or through a manual spreading machine. This product has a long-lasting formulation, requiring spreading every three to four months to keep your lawn looking great and free of pests.
It’s more expensive than the other Spectracide products, but it offers your lawn total protection from all types of pests this season.
- The specialized ant-killer formulation also kills grubs
- Spectracide is a leading pest control brand
- Season-long killing action
- Money-back guarantee
- Coverage for 5,000-square feet
- Granular formulation
Gabriel Organics Milky Spore
As mentioned, some gardeners might prefer organic solutions. Organics are especially important if you live in an area with plenty of wildlife. Birds feeding on grubs might experience side effects for digesting certain chemicals.
- 1 Bag St Gabriel Organics 80080-2 20 lb Milky Spore Organic Grub Control
- Each 20 LB, Covers 7,000 Sq Ft
- Organic Compound Attacks The Larvae Of Japanese Beetles (Grubs)
- Apply With Spreader Anytime From Spring Through Fall
- Harmless To All Other Living Things & Will Not Effect Birds, Bees, Beneficial Insects, Fish, Animals, Plants Or Man
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
An organic formulation is also critically important for use in vegetable gardens. Grubs also feed on your veggies and fruits’ roots, causing problems with development and yield quality. Spreading some grub killer around your flowerbeds prevents them from feeding on your plants.
Milky spore is a popular natural, organic grub killer widely used in organic applications. Milky spore meets all the NOP requirements for an organic pesticide, with a non-toxic, biodegradable formulation.
However, milky spore does require more frequent application than other pesticides in this review. Therefore, it’s one of the more expensive options for lawn treatments.
- All-natural formulation
- Meets NOP organic standards
- Coverage for 7,000-square feet
- Kills a variety of insects
- A granular formulation for easy spreading
- Non-toxic and biodegradable
Valent USA Dipel Pro DF Biological insecticide
If you’re a professional landscaper looking for an affordable and effective solution for killing grubs, try this product. Valent USA Dipel Pro DF Biological insecticide is a high-strength product designed to kill grubs and other pests on contact.
- Contains bacillus thoringiensis as an active
- No time to harvest restrictions
- OMRI listed
- Fast acting
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It features design and formulation with fermentation solids, spores, and toxic insecticides. Therefore, you don’t want to spread this stuff around your backyard. However, gold courses, parks, and large grass spaces can benefit from this insecticide to rehabilitate dead and dying spots.
There’s no time to harvest restrictions with this formula. However, be careful not to breathe in any dust, and wear a respirator and gloves when spreading. Make sure you wash your hands after use.
- Suitable for large agricultural projects
- Good choice for contractors and landscapers
- Affordable
- Wide coverage
- The effective and fast killing of grubs
- Ideal for new grass installations
Other Best Selling Options
- Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Killer can help prevent turf damage by killing grubs when they are young
- One application of this lawn care treatment kills and prevents grubs for up to 4 months
- This grub killer also controls caterpillars (armyworm), chinchbugs, May/June beetles, and more (as listed), and can help control Japanese beetle infestations when applied annually
- Apply this granular insecticide to a dry lawn in the spring or early summer to kill grubs as they develop before they cause damage to your lawn
- One 14.35 lb. bag of Scotts GrubEx1 Season Long Grub Killer covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- KILLS: Grubs and lawn damaging insects: kills insects above and below the surface
- SEASON LONG CONTROL: Starts to work immediately and protects lawn all season long
- KILLS: 40+ destructive lawn insects, including: ants, ticks, mole crickets, chinch bugs, European crane fly larvae, crickets and more
- USE: On Lawns and as Barrier Treatment: new, improved formula kills listed insects in the lawn and creates a barrier for season long protection
- COVERAGE: Treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Last update on 2024-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Grub Killer Buyer’s Guide
The spring is here, and it’s time to concentrate on your yard as the ground thaws and the buds start to shoot. Your lawn starts to come back to life after its winter slumber, and green shoots begin to emerge among the born thatch.
In a few weeks, your lawn will be back to its former glory, providing a luscious green landscape to your yard. However, after your grass comes around, you notice brown patches popping up in random places – what’s with that? You don’t own a dog, and you don’t remember spilling any chemicals on the lawn recently.
The reality is that something sinister is going on under the grass. Grubs are the favorite food of moles and voles, and they overwinter under your lawn, coming back to life in the summertime as the ground warms.
After investing so much time and effort into your lawn, it’s tragic to see the effects of grubs gnawing at the roots of your grass. Those unattractive dead patches in the lawn look terrible, and the presence of grubs attracts voles and moles to your yard.
Fortunately, you can protect your lawn using a specially formulated grub killer. These insecticide products kill grubs on contact, ensuring your lawn looks great all year.
In this section, we’ll unpack the different types of grub killers’ products and help you select the formula that’s the right choice for your garden and your budget.
Why are Grubs Bad for My Lawn?
Grubs are the larvae of various insect species. They reside under the lawn’s surface until they transform into a mature insect. Grubs survive by gnawing on the tender grassroots in your lawn. All grass can tolerate some level of grub feeding – it’s part of the natural world. However, some lawns experience severe grub infestations that damage the grass.
If you start to notice yellow patches appearing on your lawn, it’s a sign of heavy grub feeding. If you cut out a square in the affected area and lift the turf, you’re likely to find plenty of grubs feeding in that area.
Feeding grubs left unmanaged eventually cause bare spots in your lawn. If you find mounds of dirt around the yard, it means that voles are hunting the grubs. Grubs are the favorite food of voles, and they’ll tunnel through your lawn, destroying the grass in its wake.
Grubs cause damage, and so do voles. Therefore, keeping them out of your lawn is a top priority. Grubs become active after the ground thaws in the early spring. By the mid-summer, you’ll start seeing the effects of grub infestations on your lawn.
The damage starts as discoloration and thinning in the affected area. If you fail to act to resolve the problem, the grass will eventually die off, leaving bare spots on your lawn.
How Do I Know if My Lawn Has Grubs?
As mentioned, the effects of grubs on your lawn become apparent in the mid-summertime. Discoloration and thinning patches of grass are signs of severe grub infestation—however, the only way to be sure of the problem is to check it for yourself.
You’ll need to lift a few square feet of turf around your lawn and look for grubs. If your grass is healthy, there’s no need to do this exercise. However, if you have signs of grub infestation, start with the affected areas first.
If you find grub infestations, it’s best to buy some grub killer for your lawn maintenance this season. Even if your lawn shows no visible signs of grub infestations, preventative care is a good idea.
Purchase the best grub killer, and treat your lawn –Rather take the necessary precautions to prevent grub infestations, rather than wait for them to occur.
Bare patches on your lawn can take the entire summer season to recover, and some might not recover at all. By being prudent with your lawn maintenance and spreading rub killer around the lawn, you ensure you have great looking grass for the entire summer.
Why Is It Necessary to Treat My Lawn for Grubs?
During your grub-checking activities, you need to know what constitutes a grub infestation. Find one or two grubs here, and there are a common occurrence and nothing to concern yourself with during the summer season.
However, if you’re finding more than ten grubs per square foot of grass, you have a problem. You’ll need to purchase the best grub killer to help you kill the grubs and keep your grass healthy.
What are the Best Practices for Controlling Grubs?
If you want to keep your lawn in tip-top condition, year-after-year, make sure you follow these top tips when scouting for grubs.
- Test the soil every other year for nutrient levels.
- Take the soil sample to your local nursery for analysis
- Add fertilizer to give your grass the nutrition it needs during the growing season
- Remember to lay your lawn dressing before the first rains of the season.
- Use your grub killer formula in the second week of summer to stop juvenile grubs from feeding on your grass.
- When mowing your lawn, keep the grass as high as possible to encourage a strong root system.
- If you notice signs of grub infestations, cut up the turf in the affected area and look for grubs.
Do You Get Natural Grub-Killer Products?
Yes, you get all-natural grub killer formulations for your grass. Some homeowners might have an issue with using chemicals on their lawn, and that’s okay. While most insecticide grub killers are safe for use around the yard, they still feature chemical formulations.
There are a few natural grub killer compounds that are suitable for use in your yard. Milky spore is one of the most popular organic treatments, and it’s ideal for use in vegetable gardens as well as lawns.
If you live in a warmer area of the United States, Milky spore offers you an attractive natural grub killer. This product contains agents effective for controlling grubs, Japanese beetle larvae, and a host of other grubs and insects.
However, the milky spore isn’t as effective in colder climates, but it’s worth a try if you live in a warm region. Milky spore takes longer to prevent grubs from feeding on your grass. Therefore, it’s not the best choice for an emergency.
Milky spore is a great lawn dressing to add to your grass at the beginning and midway through the summer season. However, you’ll need to keep using it for it to remain effective. Milky spore is also suitable for use in vegetable gardens, and it’s entirely non-toxic for humans.
The big issue with milky spore is its efficacy and the price tag. Milky spore tends to be one of the more expensive options for grub control.
What are Safe Chemical Products to Use on My Lawn to Kill Grubs?
When using chemical grub killers, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for using the product. Granular grub killers are easy to work with and require hand or machine spreading. Remember to wear gloves and wash your hands after applying the pesticide.
Liquid grub killers are harder to manage and mix, but they provide pleasing results, and it’s easy to use a spray bottle to cover your lawn in half the time of hand sowing granular insecticides. All the products in this review are safe for use around the yard.
None of the chemicals in the products listed above are toxic to local wildlife. Therefore, deer and rabbits won’t die if they start feeding on your grass or plants.
Will My Grub Killer Affect Bees and other Pollinators?
All the grub killer products in this review are safe for use in your yard. Some insecticides like “Roundup” contain dangerous chemicals that cause bees to die off if they ingest pollen coated with the product.
However, all the grub killers in this review feature design and formulation with non-toxic ingredients. Therefore, your lawn maintenance kills the grubs but leaves the birds and bees alone.
Whenever you buy a gardening product you are unsure of, ask for advice. You can get great gardening advice and information on insecticide products on online forums or gardening centers.
Can I Use Grub Killer in Flowerbeds?
Yes, some grubs get under your plants, feeding on the roots. This feeding causes slower development of the plants, stunting growth, and reducing yield. If you have a vegetable garden with a grub infestation, it can ruin your crop.
When using grub killers on vegetable gardens, makes sure you go with an organic product containing no chemicals. Look for products approved by the Natural Organic Program (NOP). These grub killers have formulations with no toxic ingredients, making them suitable for use around your vegetables and fruits.
Granular vs Liquid Grub Killer – Which Is Better?
A granular grub killer is a great choice for your lawn, but it’s more hassle to apply. You have the option of spreading it by hand or using a dispenser device. After spreading the grub killer, you’ll need to water lightly to activate the compound.
With a liquid formula, you get a concentrate, taking up less space in your garden shed. Liquid formulas require mixing to the right levels, or you risk burning the lawn. You’ll also need to apply them using a sprayer, but it’s more convenient than hand spreading.
Both options offer viable grub control or your lawn; choose the product that meets your preference.
Grub Killer FAQs
How long does it take the formula the kill grubs?
Most formulas kill grubs on contact, preventing them from feeding. Formulations can act in less than 24-hours, and by the end of the week, your lawn should be grub free. It can take affected parts of your yard up to two months to recover from the effects of grubs. The recovery time depends on the extent of the infestation and the damage.
Can I seed grass after applying my grub killer?
Yes, give you lawn 24-hours to rest after applying your grub killer, and then start sowing. There are no chemicals present in grub killers that damage grass. You can do both simultaneously if you want to save on time, but we recommend spacing them a day apart if possible.
Is there a home-made solution for killing grubs?
Some blogs suggest using laundry detergent as a home remedy for killing grubs. The reality is that this method works, but it’s not the best choice for your lawn. The active ingredients in laundry detergent might damage the roots of your grass, slowing growth.
Where can I purchase the best grub killer?
Pick up your grub killer products from Amazon, the world’s largest eCommerce store. Amazon offers you buyer protection on your order and hassle-free returns. You get the best range at the best prices and free shipping for Prime members.
Grub Killers – The Verdict
By now, you should have a good idea of the importance of using a grub killer on your lawn. You probably have your eye on one or two products you think could suit your lawn this summer. However, if you’re battling settling on the right formula, we understand.
It’s challenging to choose between the best products available. If you need some guidance with your purchase decision, why not rely on our top picks?
Spectracide Triazicide Acre Plus is our top choice for the best grub killer in this review. This Triazicide product offers you seasonal protection for your lawn, killing grubs on contact. The advanced formulation is suitable for killing over 180 types of pests on your lawn, giving you total seasonal protection. Its long-lasting formula requires one to two treatments per season, depending on your lawn requirements. The 32.5-lb bag gives you enough coverage for 44,000-square feet of lawn.
The Bonide Products Inc 60365 Insect/Grub Killer is the top premium choice for homeowners this summer. This formula features fast-acting ingredients that stop grubs from feeding immediately and kills within 24-hours. This product features a granular design for easy spreading, and a bag provides 15,000-square feet of coverage.
Monteray All Natural Grub Killer is the top choice for homeowners looking for an organic grub killer. This product features formulation with organic ingredients, with certification from the Natural Organics Program (NOP). You get an organic formulation with fast-action in killing grubs in your yard.
