Paul from Cypress, Ca. writes
I have citrus trees, avocado trees and fig trees planted in my backyard (in the ground as well as in containers). The soil is infested with white grubs (beetle larvae). If I apply BioAdvanced Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable Insect Control per direction, will the soil drench kill the white grubs (and will the systemic insecticide taken up by the trees kill the adult beetles when they feed on the leaves in the summer)?
Bio Advanced Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable Insect Control is not labeled for lawn use for grubs, or around fruit trees specifically for grubs. It is however labeled for use for other insects that would be impacting the trees and can be safely used around the root zone of the edibles. This is a tricky situation as most lawn grub control products are not for use within the drip line of any edible vegetation. Milky Spore Powder and Milky Spore Lawn Spreader Mix are both organic options that can be used in lawns and around edibles. However it only works against the Japanese Beetle Grub specifically, and does not target other grub types that may also be present. Adult beetles that emerge in summer would need to be controlled with a foliar application to the leaves of the trees consistently to help prevent damage. Systemic drench insecticides usually will not impact beetles and a foliar surface spray on the plant is required. This can be done with natural products like Triple Action with Neem Oil, which lasts roughly 14 days with each application and can be applied up to the day of harvest.
Answer last updated on: 11/04/2022
