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San Diego

Two questions I need help with. How long is the shelf life of merit? I have some merit powder that is 4 years old, would like to use it, but wanted to get opinions on if it is still good? Second, I know it is a systemic inscecticide, but does it kill grubs in the soil too? Found a big white grub in my patch soil today, hoping the merit kills those too or do I need something else? Jim

3/15/2009 5:21:02 PM

Ohio

Not sure of the shelf life , but Tremor(Steve Jepsen) should be able to answer that for ya easy Duster.

And Yes, Merit will kill the Grubs in your soil with no problem, thats what its mainly used for in yards/golf courses ect..

3/15/2009 6:17:35 PM

Georgia

it nukes grubs....

3/15/2009 8:00:16 PM

Vancouver Washington

I would only treat my soil with a heavy pesticide if I absolutely had to. One grub would not cause me alarm...

You will certainly effect the microbiology of your soil with a heavy pesticide drench. If you have an infestation...then you would have to do what ever it takes...but I would take a good look at the soil. Dig some holes or cover an area with plywood with some green manure under it - and look in a week or so. Just a thought...

3/16/2009 12:08:46 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

In the spring everything below the surface of my yard and everywhere else ANYTHING sprouted is nothing but grub-to-grub fat white grubs in a few different sizes. I'm going to be nuking grubs pretty quickly here.

3/16/2009 3:09:27 AM

San Diego

I have used merit before planting every year. I have had great success with insect control the whole season. I grow organic as much as possible. This is the only area I really use chemicals because I have had mosaic in the past. Since using merit, I have never got mosaic. Killing the grubs is just a second benefit. Everything else in my soil is natural, including all ferts.

3/16/2009 12:36:30 PM

[email protected]

Merit will last for many years in the original package.

As for white grubs; Merit kills them prior tothe second instar (satge ofgrowth) so it must be applied several weeks prior to beetle egg laying. Here in southern New England the ideal time is mid-late June.

If large 3rd instar grubs are found in the spring (lawns) then Dylox (trichlorfon) is ideal. Dylox is aka as Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control.

Dylox is not labeled for any vegetable crops.

3/17/2009 1:45:38 PM