Engraved grubs can be quite a burden in the garden, mainly because of their comparatively long life cycle. Biological, gentle control measures should always be the first choice. At most, in very stubborn cases, chemical agents should be used - with meticulous application care.
Chemical pesticides are just as harmful to people and the environment as they are to grubs
Biological control of grubs has priority
There is no question that grubs in the lawn, in the vegetable patch or in flower pots can be a nuisance. No one is happy about dead patches of grass and heads of lettuce that people have been looking forward to since they were sowed. However, you damage the biological balance of your garden and yourself if you build up a rage against the beetle larvae and act too ruthlessly against them.
Gentle, ecologically justifiable methods should always be exhausted as far as possible before resorting to chemical insecticides - even if this requires more personal effort and patience. A little wise acceptance of the creations of nature is in any case more valuable than perfect and loss-free cultivated plants in the garden.
Chemical grub killers on the market
In the garden trade and of course on the Internet, some insecticides and plant protection products are offered that work specifically or, among other things, against grubs. It is always important to remember that such agents are not only toxic to the unwanted pests, but also to other beneficial organisms and plants in the soil. In addition, there is a not inconsiderable health risk for the user. Possible chemical remedies against grubs are:
- Agritox - EngerlingFrei
- Nurelle D 550EC Dow Agro
- Pyrinex 480 EC - Adama
- Perlka Calcium cyanamide
Agritox EngerlingFrei is an insecticide and primarily combats grubs, wireworms and also aphids and scale insects. Its active ingredient chlorpyrifos acts as a contact, ingestion and respiratory poison and is expected to be approved as a plant protection product in the EU until early 2022. Studies show, however, that vegetable plants sprayed with the agent retain residues that are also toxic to humans when ingested.
Agritox - EngerlingFREI is diluted with water and mixed into a spray mixture, whereby the correct dosage must be observed very carefully.
Nurelle D 550EC Dow Agro and Pyrinex 480 EC - Adama are also based on chlorpyrifos, but are much more concentrated.
Perlka Calcium cyanamide: Calcium cyanamide consists of lime, nitrate and calcium cyanamide, which is split into slaked lime and toxic cyanamide when applied. However, this is completely broken down by microorganisms within 2 weeks.