If you or your neighbors had issues with Japanese beetles and grubs in the past, then when to apply grub control should be a priority on your lawn care schedule. There are many brands, active ingredients, and grub control products that things can get very confusing.
One of those conundrums is what’s best: Scott’s GrubEx or Bayer Grub Control? To put it simply…
What’s the difference between Scotts GrubEx vs Bayer Grub Killer Plus?
The main difference between the two is Scott’s GrubEx is a preventative grub control product – applied in the spring before beetles lay their eggs – and Bayer Grub Killer Plus is a fast-acting grub killer – applied after eggs hatch to kill active turf destroying white grubs.
Both of these products come in granular form which needs to be applied evenly across your turf with a fertilizer spreader and watered in to activate. They’re both also labeled for grubs, Japanese beetles, chinch bugs, armyworms, and other common surface insects.
Grub Control Active Ingredients (AI)
The active ingredient (AI) in Scott’s GrubEx is Chlorantraniliprole (0.08%) and should be applied in the early spring to prevent white grubs and grub worm damage. The active ingredient (AI) in Bayer Grub Killer Plus is Trichlorfon (9.30%) and is applied in the summer or early fall when there is an active grub infestation.
Grub Prevention Insecticide
As part of most annual lawn care programs, an application of grub control is applied in the spring. The best grub control product is Acelepryn, which contains the same AI as Scott’s GrubEx (Chlorantraniliprole). This needs to be applied in the early-to-mid spring (early May) to work.
Other products can include Imidacloprid (Merit), Thiamethoxam (Meridian), Clothianidin (Arena), Spores of Bacillus Popilliae (Milky Spore). These need to be applied and watered in before Japanese beetles burrow and lay their eggs (including Green June Beetles, European chafers, Green June beetles, and more).
Grub Killers
If you missed the window for controlling grubs in the spring, or notice active grub damage in your lawn, then you’ll need to look for other active ingredients, not in GrubEx – or the other products mentioned above.
Trichlorfon is a fast-acting grub killer and is the AI in Bioadvance (Bayer) Grub Killer Plus. It is also in our favorite grub killer, Dylox 6.2 Insecticide.
Other grub-killing products can include carbaryl (PROKOZ Sevin SL) or Zeta-Cypermethrin (Sevin).
As the name states, these products kill grubs.
Grubs: Scott’s vs. Bayer FAQs
Which is better GrubEx or Bayer Grub Control?
It is important to know that while these two products are labeled for grubs, Japanese beetles, chinch bugs, armyworms, and other surface insects, they’re quite different. Scott’s GrubEx is applied early in the season (April-May) to prevent grub damage. Bayer 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus quickly kills active grubs in your lawn (August – September),
Is GrubEx a grub preventer or grub killer?
Scott’s GrubEx contains Chlorantraniliprole and is used as a grub preventer.
What is the most effective grub killer?
The most effective grub killer on the market is Dylox 6.2 which contains the AI Trichlorfon.
Is the early application of GrubEx safer for birds?
The label will have information regarding hazards to humans and domestic animals, and environmental hazards.
https://www.scotts.com/sites/g/files/oydgjc106/files/asset_images/products/CFLS/SC-GrubExSeasonLongGrubKiller-2015-CFL.pdf
I am confused. No one can answer this question. What is the difference between Grubex and Grubex1. They come in different colored packages, red and brown so there has to be a difference
If they have the same chemical and in the same amount or concentration there would be no need for different packaging
To my knowledge, the original Scotts® GrubEx® used to contain Imidacloprid (Merit) as the active ingredient. Scotts® GrubEx1® now contains Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn). I prefer and recommend using Acelepryn by Syngenta instead. As always, make sure you reference the labels as (like you alluded to) the concentrations and rates may vary. Hope this helps!