Nov 20, 2007

Only One Way

Scarab beetles are one of those creatures that produce comely adults from abhorent larvae. This is very much the case with the white grub.

These grubs (from a variety of scarab beetles) are a plague found in many lawns in the northeastern US (and no doubt many other places on the planet). If you get patchy dead spots on your lawn, then you know what I mean. Unfortunately, they are very resistant to pesticides. The only way to get rid of them is to dig through the topsoil of your entire lawn by hand, extract each grub as you find it, and eat it. The gastric juices of the human digestive system are the only way to kill them.

Thanks for the photos, Holly.

Photo source: University of Connecticut

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can kill them by dancing on your lawn with grub impaling death sandals. It's a good way to get free labor out of children. Or I suppose you could keep eating them, Wombat, if that's your style. I'm not judging your lifestyle or choices, just saying you have options.

Raging Wombat said...

I'm amazed you found that, booge. You're good. Too good. Let's keep this as our little secret.

Unknown said...

I get my baby vulture to throw up on them for me. It makes him feel needed.

Raging Wombat said...

Theodosia -- hilarious!

Anonymous said...

Booge, this just killed me...I have to order a pair stat!

If you are not hungry, or if you have no baby vulture at hand though, you might try to use an entomopathogen fungus called Beauveria brongniartii. (I am not sure wether it works for all scarabs though, but it´s used for Melolontha melolontha/ May beetle grubs)
It´s used in organic agriculture to get rid of them and is a naturally occurring fungus that is ecologically safe. Non germinable grain, infected with it are incorporated in the soil, the grubs eat it and die....

http://www.bba.bund.de/DE/Home/pflanzen__schuetzen/
biologisch__alternativ/biolps/11,property=default.jpg
This picture might show you why you wouldn´t want to eat it afterwards though ;)

Nebulous Grey said...

Grup Impaling Death Sandals.
Wow.
Best. Find. Ever.
*bows to Booge*

Those are AMAZING. LMAO.

Anonymous said...

I have been known to impale tomato hornworms on the spikes of my agave plants. Festive, and the mockingbirds seem to enjoy the attractive arrangements of tidbits...

Arachnophile said...

You guys are all a little disturbed and very funny!

I myself am not nearly commited enough to any domistic plant, let along that vile monoculture call LAWN to either eat or impale this wrigglers. To each their own though. ;)

Jenn said...

Another method is to let the moles get 'em. That's what all that digging and tunneling is about, after all... little mole just wants dinner!

Arachnophile said...

Y'know jenn. That is so stinking sensible - I hope it catches on. ;)

I'm alawys telling people to put up with some lawn/grazing field disruptions, to keep away the others.

Hello! We are not outside Ecology, despite our species arrogance.

Anonymous said...

My mom made me degrub the flowerbeds while airing the soil so I used to put the grubs in the trashcan lid and let the sun fry them. -.- Horrible now that I think about it but they would have starved to death in the trashcan otherwise. *shrug*

^.".^