Engerlinge, i.e. the larvae of certain types of beetles, not only appear in garden floors, but also in flower pots on the balcony. They can be fought here in a way that is not all that complicated. Above all, the spatial limitation is an advantage here.
With water, grubs can be lured out of the baking tray
Why grubs also appear on the balcony
The noxious types of grubs are those that feed on the roots of living plants. This is mainly done by the larvae of the following beetle species found in Central Europe:
- cockchafer
- June beetle
- garden beetle
Accordingly, these beetles also lay their eggs in places where plants with promising nutritional value for the larvae grow. The grubs of these beetle species actually have a preference for grass and are therefore mainly found in lawns. A flower box (€16.99) with strawberries or a small raised bed with herbs and lettuce on the balcony can also be a welcome place for laying eggs.
countermeasures
hand selection
If you discover grubs when replanting balcony boxes (€109.00) or when repotting individual potted plants, the easiest way is to simply pick them out of the potting soil by hand. Of course, this requires some thoroughness - and possibly a certain resistance to disgust!
Lure out with wetness
By exposing the grubs to plenty of moisture, you can lure them out of their hiding places. It is best to place the root ball of potted plants in an immersion bath. After that, the larvae will crawl to the surface where they can be easily collected. However, this will not completely get rid of the pests.
nematodes
In order to remove the grubs as completely as possible, it is advisable to use predatory nematodes in addition to collecting them. The parasitic nematodes, available in garden shops, kill the pests.
prevention
To prevent grubs from becoming a problem in the first place, it is worth taking preventive measures during the flight times of May, June and garden leaf beetles.
Insect protection nets at beetle flight times
Insect protection nets over balcony boxes and flower pots are a fairly safe method of preventing the beetles from laying their eggs.
plant garlic
Garlic has a deterrent effect on adult beetles. Garlic plants can discourage them from laying their eggs. On the other hand, the aromatic tuber plants can be an enrichment in the herbal repertoire on the balcony.