Before you make the decision to attack your Japanese beetle problem, realize that they live as grubs, or larvae, underground for most of their lives.

Before you make the decision to attack your Japanese beetle problem from the ground up, realize that they live as grubs, or larvae, underground for most of their life, about 10 months of the year.

Then, when they emerge as adult beetles in late May or so, they're hungry and begin feeding on as many as 300 species of our most favorite ornamental plants.

Testing a few areas around your yard is the best first step in determining whether you should begin a control program. And the best time for this exercise is while the grubs are near the surface, during late summer and late spring.

Cut out a three-inch-deep 12-by-12-inch patch of your lawn. Turn it over and inspect the root area and soil below for grubs. If you count 10 or more grubs per square, treatment is worth considering.

There are a number of chemicals used to treat grubs synthetically. You'll find them at virtually any garden center, labeled as 'grub control.' These can be very effective. But also know that, when used improperly, these and other insecticides can pose a serious hazard to wildlife, other beneficials, the environment and people.

Many experts believe better, safer alternatives for turf insect suppression are biological controls. These methods effectively incorporate the use of bacteria, nematodes and parasites to achieve similar results without many of the risks posed by traditional methods, including risk to beneficial and non-targeted organisms. A partial list of some of the most popular:

Milky spore:
You find this product listed by its common name. The active ingredients are the spores of a bacteria Bacillus popillae. It is selective and harmless to people and other organisms. Milky Spore has been most effective in the Eastern United States.

When the grub dies, a billion or two more spores are released back into the soil, where they continue to increase in population. It takes two or three years to achieve a population large enough to effect suppression. The best results are achieved when used in a neighborhood-wide campaign.

Bt:
Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis, is also a bacterium specific to larvae and grubs of the Japanese beetle and other similar pests. It must be ingested, but once it is it is very effective. It is also a good choice because it will not harm non-targeted organisms. This is applied like other insecticides. However, it may take an Internet search or call to your county extension agent to help you locate it.

Parasitic nematodes.
These are the newest biological control method to become commercially available. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on specific organisms. Some target the Japanese beetle grubs. Success in finding this product can prove tricky, so an Internet search may be necessary.

Two strains have been identified as being most effective: Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema carpocapsae. Nematodes are typically applied with water. Use when the grubs are small. Be sure to irrigate before and after application.

These methods are exciting alternatives in the battle to control grubs. Biological controls are a great option for dealing with a number of other lawn pests as well and should be considered as a first choice the next time you seek ways to manage populations in your lawn or garden.