
Milky spore and nematodes are a great natural solution you can try but milky spore also have some disadvantages. You may want to consider using more effective natural grubworm killers or even chemical solutions. If you notice there are more than 5 grubs per square foot, the infestation is too of concern. The dish dawn soap solution is also used to check for grubs and the extent of their damage. See also my article on white grub lifecycle.Ĭontrolling them at this time means you will stop the damage come the next season. This is the time when the Japanese beetle larvae are very active feeding and developing into adult beetles. The right time to treat for grubs in the lawn is between spring and summer. It will act as a grub worm deterrent and killer without causing any damage to your grass. Pro tip: If you want to make the DIY solution more potent, you can mix liquid dish soap with lemon and mouthwash and then spray it all over the lawn. Treat with the dawn dish soap again if there are some grubs still alive. Dig up a square foot of your treated lawn and check if there are grubs. Spray the soapy liquid onto the areas with brown patches of dying grass. Stir thoroughly to make a soapy liquid. Add 3 tablespoons of liquid dawn soap in 1 gallon of water.
Here’s how to use dawn dish soap to kill grubs in your lawn: If you don’t have dawn dish soap, you can use an insecticidal soap. Some people mix in some lemon, but it is not necessary. How to Use Dawn Dish Soap for Grubs?ĭish soap or any other household soap will work well for this natural formulation. That is why it is an effective treatment for Japanese beetle, June, and May beetles in lawns. The grubs will die within a few minutes and the residual effect can last up to 24 hours if you are using an insecticidal soap in your homemade recipe.ĭish soap is good at disrupting the cell membrane of soft-bodied insects such as grub worms, sod webworms, and cutworms.
The soapy solution covers the surface of the grubs and suffocates them. Is Dish Soap Effective for Grub Control? Does Dawn Dish Soap Kill Grubs?ĭawn dish soap kills grub worms by smothering them until they die.