Poisoning grubs

[WTxMatt]

Hello! New member here and new backyard chicken dad.

I had a question pertaining to grubs. I don’t use chemicals in my yard for obvious reasons. However, I really have to do something about my grubs. I’ve been told that laundry detergent is a great way to kill grubs and fertilize the yard due to the sulfur and phosphate (I think).

Would this be dangerous for chickens that routinely eat the grass and grubs? I usually err on the side of caution but I really need to treat the yard.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It might be. Have you considered predatory nematodes?
Arbico organics has them for all sorts of pests.
https://www.arbico-organics.com/category/beneficial-nematodes

 

[Kathy Golla]

Are the grubs in your lawn or planting beds? I haven’t found a good way to get rid of them in the lawn.

 

[WTxMatt]

They are mostly in the lawn.

 

[WTxMatt]

It might be. Have you considered predatory nematodes?
Arbico organics has them for all sorts of pests.
https://www.arbico-organics.com/category/beneficial-nematodes

Thanks for your response! I hadn’t thought of that. Nemotodes are a garden killer though :-/

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for your response! I hadn’t thought of that. Nemotodes are a garden killer though :-/

Not these. There are thousands of species of nematodes. Predatory nematodes don't damage a garden, they damage their target pest.
There are predatory nematodes that specifically target all sorts of bugs.
There's one specifically for ants, another specifically for small hive beetles.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hello! New member here and new backyard chicken dad.

I had a question pertaining to grubs. I don’t use chemicals in my yard for obvious reasons. However, I really have to do something about my grubs. I’ve been told that laundry detergent is a great way to kill grubs and fertilize the yard due to the sulfur and phosphate (I think).

Would this be dangerous for chickens that routinely eat the grass and grubs? I usually err on the side of caution but I really need to treat the yard.

Don’t your chickens eat all the grubs?

 

[WTxMatt]

Ha! I didn’t know that. Thank you, I’ll look into it! Great idea

 

[Kathy Golla]

Chickencanoe is right...I learned something today!

https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/sod-webworm-control/

If they are NOT in your lawn, a number one grub predator is the fearsome chicken!

 

[Shadrach]

Hello WTxMatt.
Welcome to BYC.
Why may I ask are you trying to kill the grubs? Don't your chickens eat them?