White Grub Control on a Home Lawn in Doylestown, Pa, 1982

Abstract

Abstract Thirteen insecticide treatments were applied Aug 16 to a home lawn infested with white grubs. The predominant white grub species present was Japanese beetle (70%) with the remaining species present in equal numbers (Coborealis, 15%; Phyllophaga spp, 15%). The lawn consisted of Kentucky bluegrass (25%), fescue (25%), and a wide array of weeds (50%). Treatment plots were 10 × 10 ft, arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated 4 times. Liquid formulations were applied in 3 gal water with a hand-held sprinkling can. Granular formulations were applied with a hand-held shaker, followed by watering in with 3 gal water. At treatment time, the following environmental conditions existed: air temperature, 85°F; soil temperature, 76°F; soil type, silt-loam; soil pH, 5.0; percent organic matter, 2.9; soil condition, moist; amount of thatch, 0.06 in; and skies were clear and sunny. Post treatment counts were made 43 days later (Sep 29). Four ft2 sod samples were randomly taken from each replicate, and the total number of living white grubs was recorded for each ft2 sample.