Hell! I wish I’d read this sooner! (Page 2 ) | June 24, 2025

Fill a bucket or watering can with about 3.8 liters of water.
Add a few tablespoons of dish soap to the water. The exact amount isn’t important, but about 2 to 4 tablespoons should be sufficient.
Apply to the affected area:
Identify areas of the lawn where you suspect grubs are present. These are usually areas where the grass is thinning, yellowing, or dying.
Pour the soapy water evenly over those areas. If you need to cover a large area, consider using a garden hose spray nozzle.
Wait and observe:
Simply wait a few minutes after applying the solution. Dish soap irritates the grubs and forces them to rise to the soil surface.
Get rid of the grubs:
Once the grubs rise to the surface, you can easily scoop them up and dispose of them. Birds prefer to feed on grubs, so if you leave them alone for a while, nature may even do the cleanup for you.
How it works: The science behind the trick:
Dish soap works wonders on grubs because it reduces the surface tension of the water, allowing them to penetrate the soil more easily. When soapy water comes into contact with the grubs, it irritates their skin and causes them to rise to the surface to escape. Furthermore, soap can clog the spiracles (small holes insects use to breathe), further discouraging them from remaining buried in the lawn.
While this method won’t kill the grubs immediately, it makes them easier to remove manually. For a more permanent solution, you may need to repeat the process several times or combine it with other grub control methods, such as nematodes or milky spores.
Advantages of this method
: Environmentally friendly: Unlike chemical pesticides, dish soap is generally safe for the environment, your pets, and your family.
Cost-effective: You don’t have to spend money on expensive pesticides. All you need is some dish soap and water.
Quick and easy: The entire process takes just a few minutes and requires minimal effort.
Immediate results: The larvae appear in just a few minutes, making this an immediately satisfying solution.
Other tips for larvae prevention
This tip is very effective in controlling existing grubs. Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to keep your lawn free of grubs: Keep your lawn healthy: Keep your lawn healthy by watering thoroughly and infrequently, mowing at the correct height, and aerating the soil, which promotes vigorous root growth.
Nematodes: Consider using beneficial nematodes. These are microscopic worms that naturally hunt and kill grubs without damaging your lawn.
Milky spore: This naturally occurring bacteria can be used in lawns to specifically target Japanese beetle larvae. Once established, the larvae can
be kept under control long-term. Grubs can be a real nuisance for homeowners, but with this simple trick my dad taught me, you can get the problem under control in just 2 minutes and with absolutely no effort. The next time you notice signs of a grub infestation on your lawn, grab some dish soap, mix it with water, and watch the pests rise to the surface. With a little consistency and some preventative measures, you can keep your lawn lush and green all season long.