GrubEX is a grub killer that contains the active ingredient “chlorantraniliprole”. This chemical is frequently used as an insecticide or pesticide for the control of grubs, though it will affect any insect that eats it and may kill any insect that comes into contact with it. GrubEX is only mildly toxic to humans and pets, known to cause only skin and eye irritation on contact. A common question relating to GrubEX is whether you can put it down with grass seed.
Can You Put GrubEX Down with Grass Seed?
Yes, you can apply GrubEX and grass seed at the same time with no ill effects. GrubEX is a pure insecticide and its active ingredient has no known effects on plant life. Further, GrubEX is meant to affect the soil more than it would any plant. Even if it happens to be absorbed by that plant, GrubEX should be harmless. Not all grub killers are harmless to plants.
Does GrubEX Affect Grass Seed?
GrubEX is harmless to plants, in the short term and the long term. Will GrubEX kill new grass seed? No. The chemical aspect of GrubEX, chlorantraniliprole, should not interact with the grass seeds at all as it is used to disrupt the muscle activity of insects. Plants operate in an entirely different way and so are unaffected. This is not the same for all grub killers, only GrubEX.
How Much GrubEX Should Be Used with a New Lawn?
GrubEX is a product meant to treat the soil of a lawn rather than the lawn itself. Therefore, whether you have a long-established lawn or a lawn-in-progress made up of seeds, sprouts, or shoots you should use the same amount of GrubEX and follow the same instructions.
According to the manufacturer, GrubEX should be applied at a rate of 2.87 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn area. The use of a spreader can help more evenly broadcast the GrubEX granules. After application, GrubEX must be watered into the lawn deeply to reach the grubs under the surface and be effective.
How Long Does GrubEX Take to Work on a New Lawn?
GrubEX is a product with long-term benefits. However, it needs time to become effective and should be reapplied each year for best results. GrubEX, on average, takes 60 to 90 days to become fully effective. With regular and deep watering, including rainfall, this period will be closer to the lower end of the estimate.
How Many Times Can You Apply GrubEX in a Year?
After the first application, GrubEX can be re-applied in as little as 3 months, if needed. This process can be repeated 2 to 3 times a year if grubs continue to be a problem. The manufacturer recommends a yearly application of GrubEX in colder climates and twice-yearly if the lawn in question is in a climate where grubs are a threat year-round.
When is the Best Time to Apply GrubEX with Grass Seed?
GrubEX can be applied with grass seed whenever the ideal time is to plant that particular type of grass. This is often early spring. Early spring also happens to be the best time to apply GrubEX to any lawn. However, if you have the time, there is an even better time to apply GrubEX if you’re planning to seed a new lawn.
As GrubEX takes several months to work, applying it in the fall before the spring when a new lawn is going to be planted gives the grub killer time to fully activate and rid the lawn of grubs before the grass seeds are planted. This provides the maximum level of grub protection, though it does require more water. If, however, grubs have overrun your lawn or they are the reason you are re-seeding, this method is worth it.
What method should I use for getting rid of violets…other than pulling by hand..?
Thanks
Hi Shirl!
Wild violets can be tough to get rid of as they have both taproots and rhizomes. When you pull them by hand, you need to make sure you’re digging up every bit of root and rhizome or the plant will keep dividing and “regenerating”. A weed fork can be a very handy tool for this situation.
Beyond removing these plants, rhizomes, and roots by hand you can spray herbicides. The more natural route would be to carefully spot treat the violets with a solution of water and horticultural vinegar. However, this solution does have the potential to harm your grass if it splashes onto the blades or roots. Broadleaf herbicides, like Crossbow, can also take out violets with a very small chance of damaging most species of lawn grass. Be sure to follow the directions on any herbicide packaging carefully, wear protective gear, and apply the product on a calm and overcast day, if possible.
Hope this helps 🙂
Tom.
Is this safe for pets. What precautions if any should I take????
Hi Cathy,
The active ingredient in GrubEx is Chlorantraniliprole. The product has a very low toxicity level, but still, it can cause mild eye or skin irritations on pets and humans. As a precaution, you should keep your pets off the lawn for three days after treating the yard.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Tom.
I just had a new portion of my front lawn planted this spring and although it was done correctly, we had an awful dry hot summer and of course did not water properly. With that being said, I sliced the entire new portion of the topsoil and dead areas of the new topsoil, replanted with good seed, and then put topsoil/starter fertilizer (all in one bag) over the top of the new seed. In my slicing, I did note a large amount of grubs in certain areas. I currently, am getting new grass growing everywhere, and would like to know, would it be advisable to lay down Grub control now with the new grass growing, or should I be waiting for spring? I live in the northwest section of CT near Litchfield.
Hi Tony,
If you use a pesticide grub control, it shouldn’t have any effect, or at least very little effect, on grass. Just double-check the content of the product you want to use to make sure it is safe.
Grubs basically eat the roots of grass and especially like the softer new shoots. So, if you are seeing that areas are dying, then the grubs are more than likely at work. Again I would check the specific product you want to use to see if there are any specific periods when you shouldn’t use the product. I think the only time I probably wouldn’t use grub control is during the winter, as the ground is too hard, and it won’t penetrate the soil. So you may have to wait until spring if the ground is already getting hard.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Tom.