11 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Grubs in Garden

Many gardeners have dealt with the irritation of finding grubs in the soil among their plants.

White grubs are root-eating pests. They turn into leaf-eating adult beetles [1].

It’s not a good thing to see these critters crawling around. They will eat the roots of your crops and damage your lawn.

If you’re reading this, you likely want natural ways to get rid of grubs for good.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural methods to rid your garden of them without harming your plants.

How to Get Rid of Grubs Naturally

Below are some of the best organic solutions and home remedies for grub control.

1. Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes can help control grubs in your vegetable garden, flower beds, and lawns. They search for various soil-dwelling pests and kill them.

You can buy beneficial nematodes online or at specific garden centers. Soak them in water on the sponge on which they come.

Next, put them into a sprayer attached to a hose, and then give your yard and garden a good and thorough spray to release them. Once infected by the nematodes, the grubs will die within one to two days.

2. Soap and Water

Soapy water is enough to kill grubs in your lawn and garden, as the soap itself will smother them.

Mix three tablespoons of organic liquid soap with a gallon of water for a homemade grub killer. However, you can use Dawn dish soap if you’re only using it for your lawn.

Spray the soapy water solution on the infested lawn or soil.

3. Milky Spore

Once applied in your garden, this naturally occurring bacterium will not harm you or your plants.

Milky spore is highly effective as a natural grub killer. However, it can take up to two years to fully take effect.

Additionally, it is only effective against Japanese beetle grubs [2], so it is best to combine it with other remedies.

Read the package instructions carefully to learn how to apply the product correctly.

4. Birds and Chickens

In our opinion, the best grub-worm killers are birds and chickens.

Set up bird feeders or a chicken coop. Chickens and some birds will peck and forage in the soil for anything, including beetle grubs.

The only issue is that they may also target beneficial insects you want to keep.

5. Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizer poses a lower risk to beneficial soil organisms, such as nematodes, compared to synthetic fertilizer. Read 29 Organic and Homemade Fertilizers for Plants.

It may not stop root-eating grubs, but it allows everything else to keep living. Organic fertilizers give beneficial nematodes a better chance to survive and target grubs.

6. Neem Oil

You can also use neem oil for grubs in the garden. It is very popular among organic gardeners as a natural and healthy home remedy for pest control.

Create a natural grub-repellent spray by combining 2 tablespoons of neem oil, 2 teaspoons of liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water.

Next, apply it to your lawn and garden soil to repel grubs. You can find neem oil at a decent price online or at select retail gardening stores.

7. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is an excellent organic remedy to kill grubs and other harmful garden worms naturally. Moreover, it is pet-friendly and safe to use both indoors and in vegetable gardens.

The product will dry out insects, dehydrating them to death. To apply, dust a little around your plants in the soil.

This natural grub worm treatment is very effective but indiscriminate, so use it sparingly.

8. Garlic Spray

Many vegetable garden pests can’t stand the smell of garlic spray. Making a spray from garlic and using it in your garden can help keep it free of many garden pests.

For this DIY grub control spray, purée four garlic bulbs in one cup of water. Next, let it sit overnight.

Afterward, strain and apply the spray around your garden beds and potted plants. It will deter grubs, slugs, caterpillars, and other unwanted pests.

9. PyGanic 

PyGanic is an organic insecticide that helps get rid of lawn grubs and certain pests in your garden.

With its active ingredient being pyrethrin, this product is safe for use on organic crops. Moreover, when used moderately, it will not harm earthworms.

10. Surround WP

Made from modified kaolin clay, Surround WP is another effective natural pesticide for controlling white grub worms. When applied, it forms a barrier film that protects against these pests.

To use this treatment, follow the package directions.

11. Limit Irrigation

These fat white worms (as some people call them) thrive in moist soil. So, limiting the amount of water flowing into your garden or over your lawn may reduce the grubs’ population.

Will Epsom Salt Work?

Some say it doesn’t, while others say high doses can. However, high doses of Epsom salt can be toxic to earthworms, so it is best to reconsider using it.

What are Grub Worms? 

They are nothing more than the larvae of certain beetles. However, grub worms are especially harmful to your garden and must be dealt with immediately.

They will nibble on the roots of your plants and, later in life, chew up the leaves of your crops. So, eliminate them from your garden as soon as they’re spotted.

Signs of Infestation

You’ll see telltale signs of grubs in your lawn when you notice dead or damaged patches. Seeing wildlife digging in your grass is another sign of grubs.

If you happen to pull back a section of grass and can count more than five grubs per square foot, you’ve got an infestation. These signs also mean that they are most likely present in your garden.

Droopy leaves, the sudden death of plants, and the appearance of garden moles are all signs of a grub infestation.

When to Treat for Grubs?

The best time to kill grubs is usually in the spring and early fall when there is increased activity in your garden or lawn.

Takeaway 

The grub issue can be a significant challenge for any gardener or farmer, and there are numerous ways to deal with it, making it difficult to choose the most effective approach.

However, with some experimentation, you will find the perfect natural remedy to keep garden and grass grubs away for good.