​​​​​Marlwood Grass and Snow

                  Call David at  705-305-4000

Insect control

​​Grub control:
We use nematodes, supplied to us by Natural Insect Control in the Niagara area, that are keyed to treat Canadian varieties of Japanese Beetles, May/June Beetles, and European Chafer. The vast majority of grubs in our soil are the larval stage of these beetles. Our nematodes are supplied in a package that contain 25 million beneficial nematodes, and is “designed” to treat up to 5,000 sq-ft of lawn area.

Due to the “infestation” of grubs in Wasaga Beach and the sandy soil in the area, grubs are able to move up to 100 feet in a week. Customers who order grub control should consider increasing the number of packages of beneficial nematodes applied to their lawn, especially if skunks or raccoons have damaged their lawn in previous years.

          Note: For all our “Regular grass cutting” customers who order grub control, upon application

        in April and August, we will provide 25% additional nematodes at no additional price.

What are grubs:

Grubs are the larval stage of many types  of beetles. The

larvae all have six strong legs near the head, and are white.

They live in the soil and feed on the root system of lawns.

This causes significant damage to the lawn as they eat the

grass roots. Grubs are also a food source for skunks,

raccoons and some other small animals.

Skunks and raccoons can dig holes or turn back the sod of

your lawn in search of grubs, and as creatures of habit, will

return year after year to the same lawn.

Life cycle:

The following describes a one year life cycle.
      Spring - The grubs are fully grown larvae and are

           actively feeding.
      Summer - The grubs turn into pupae and pupate

           into beetles (usually June in Ontario).

           The beetles only live for about a week, mating

           and laying eggs, which hatch a few weeks later.
      Fall - The new grubs feed until temperatures drop

           and they burrow deep in the soil to avoid freezing,

​           and emerge the following spring.
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What are nematodes, and do they actually work to control grubs?
Nematodes are small, parasitic roundworms that naturally occur in soil. Although they live in soil of lawns, not enough nematodes are present for adequate grub control. Beneficial nematodes, or predator nematodes, can be applied to turf lawns to control grub populations. Beneficial nematodes migrate through soil, looking for host grubs. They find them by detecting carbon dioxide and other chemicals that are emitted by grubs. Once they locate a grub, they enter the grub and release a symbiotic bacterium. Nematodes enter the grub through the natural openings of the grub or pierce its body using their hook-like mouth to create an entrance. The bacterium kills the grub within 24 to 48 hours. Nematodes remain in the dead grub and multiply. In 12 to 14 days, the nematodes leave the dead grub and move through the soil, looking for new hosts. This cycle is repeated over and over, and it provides effective grub control.

Garden insect control:

Do you have trees or shrubs that show stress from insects eating the leaves? Do you have insects killing your rose plants or fruit trees?  Or tent caterpillars in your shrubs?   Call us for help. 

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