How to get rid of beetle larvae

These are small, white, worm-shaped larvae of some insects, most notably the Japanese beetle, the watermelon beetle, and the European beetle. When they grow up, the larvae will eat grass roots, causing the grass to die and form brown patches on the lawn. To get rid of beetle larvae, it is important to determine the type of larvae you are dealing with, as this will determine the method of eradication.

Table of Contents

Kill larvae by natural methods

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Look for signs of larvae. One of the main signs of the presence of larvae is uneven brown patches on the lawn or dead grass, but this can also be due to a number of other causes. If you think the phenomenon is due to larvae then you need to look for a number of other signs, including: ^{[1] X Research Source}

Holes in the grass dug by birds and other mammals to hunt larvae
The grass has lost its roots
Soft feeling to the touch or step on the lawn

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Find larvae. Once there is evidence of the presence of larvae, the next step you need to take is to check the lawn for them. Use a small shovel to dig up a patch or two of dead grass. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Michigan State University Extension Go to Source}

Dig a small space (30 cm x 30 cm) where the dead grass meets the green grass
Dig about 5 cm deep
Look for C-shaped bugs that have legs inside their bodies, located near their heads
If you see these bugs, there are larvae

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Determine if you need to eradicate the larvae. Even if you find larvae on the lawn, depending on the number of larvae, you do not necessarily need to get rid of them. Some larvae are not actually harmful to the lawn or unsightly, especially if the lawn is still green. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

It is not necessary to eradicate the larvae if you find less than 5 in an area of 30 cm x 30 cm.
If you find more than 5 but less than 10 larvae in the above area, you only need to treat when the lawn is not green.
Regardless of the condition of the lawn, you will still have to get rid of the larvae if you find more than 10 in an area of 30 cm x 30 cm.

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Use beneficial roundworms to eradicate any type of larvae. The scientific name of this species is Heterorhabditis bacteriophora; they are very small parasitic worms that enter the larvae and release bacteria that kill them. Be aware, however, that this is a long-term solution, and it can take up to 3 years for roundworms to fully control the larval problem. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

For best results, use in the evening and water immediately afterwards. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
This worm needs to enter the larva’s body to reproduce, so you need to choose between two methods: using roundworms or insecticides.
This worm can be sold under the name Hb nematodes, and you can buy it at garden stores, through an ad or online.

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Use bacterial spores to kill Japanese beetle larvae. Bacillus popilliae is a bacterium used to kill Japanese beetle larvae. Because it is a spore form, the bacteria are powdery and can be sprinkled on lawns. As with roundworms, the use of Bacillus popilliae to kill larvae is more of a permanent solution than a quick one.

You can mix this product with water and spray it on your lawn, or sprinkle dry powder on the grass.
As with beneficial nematodes, you will have to choose between Bacillus popilliae or chemical insecticides, since then the bacterial spores will have no effect on reducing the number of larvae. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
You can distinguish Japanese beetle larvae from other types of larvae by their tails. Most larvae are rounded at the tail, but Japanese beetle larvae have pointed tails.

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Sow seeds and fertilize the lawn in the fall. Beetles do not usually lay eggs in thick, tall grass. By sowing and fertilizing your lawn, you can repair the damage caused by the larvae and prevent the beetles from continuing to lay eggs.

Clear dead weeds on patches of grass that turn brown in spring and fall. Water the grass, then sprinkle new seeds over the dead grass. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
After re-seeding, you should fertilize to restore dead patches of grass and stimulate new grass seeds to grow.

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Let the grass grow tall. Beetles don’t like to lay their eggs on tall grass, so you should let the grass grow taller than usual when the grass starts to grow back.

Maintain the height of the grass about 5 cm. Raise the blade of the lawn mower to increase the height of the grass while mowing. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Do not water too much. One simple way to help keep your lawn from becoming a breeding ground for larvae is to keep it dry, or water it as little as possible. Beetle eggs will die without water, so not providing water will help kill the eggs before they hatch into larvae.

Many beetles lay eggs in July, so it is very important to keep the lawn dry during July and August. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Beetles will avoid laying eggs on dry lawns, so you should also consider not watering the lawn in the last week of June.

Treatment of larvae with synthetic insecticides

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Determine if synthetic pesticides are necessary. Synthetic pesticides can be quite potent and dangerous to use, in addition to being toxic to the environment. To make sure this is necessary, you need to first determine if there are larvae, and then consider if the problem is serious enough to warrant the use of pesticides.

Look for signs of larvae in the lawn such as holes, rootless patches of grass, patches of brown grass and soft loose soil.
To determine for sure there are larvae, dig a plot of soil about 30 cm x 30 cm, about 5 cm deep and look for larvae.
There is no need to treat the lawn if there are fewer than 5 larvae, and also avoid treatment if the lawn is still green and you find less than 10. If there are 10 or more larvae, treat the lawn.

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Try a synthetic insecticide to kill all types of larvae. Once you’ve thoroughly checked and determined that there are larvae that need eradication, you can use an insecticide that kills the larvae almost immediately. Two therapeutic insecticides you can use are carbaryl and trichlorfon (sold under the trade name Dylox). ^{[10] X Trusted Source Michigan State University Extension Go to Source}

Water the lawn both before and after spraying the insecticide to ensure that the chemical penetrates the soil where the larvae are located.
Spray a therapeutic insecticide on the lawn during the fall, spring and before May.
You can find insecticides at home stores.
Be sure to wear gloves, a mask, and other protective gear when spraying pesticides.

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Spray insecticide for next year. This is another insecticide that helps control larvae and works to kill successive generations of larvae. Usually, this insecticide is used in June or July, after the treatment insecticide has been sprayed.

Try to protect pollinating insects (such as bees) from pesticides. Trim weeds to get rid of weeds that bloom before applying pesticides. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Michigan State University Extension Go to Source}
To prevent grass from burning, you need to water the lawn carefully throughout the summer after spraying pesticides.
Preventive insecticides are sold under the trade names Merit and Mach 2.

Advice

Plant other herbs and greens in the garden such as rosemary, mint, garlic, marigold, and marigold as they can inhibit the growth of insects such as beetle larvae.
The lotus can attract bees and bugs. If you want to grow this plant, it should be planted around the edge of the garden so that insects cannot attack other plants.

Warning

When spraying pesticides, be sure to use any protective equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which may include long pants, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, goggles, boots, protective masks.
Always read instructions for use and warnings on product labels carefully before spraying pesticides. Follow the recommended dosage and be careful in handling technique.
Wash your hands, face, and clothes immediately after applying pesticides. Do not eat, drink or smoke while using pesticides or until after thorough cleaning.

Steps

Kill larvae by natural methods

Treatment of larvae with synthetic insecticides

Advice

Warning

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