Grubs and Merit (tm)


Grubex, made with Merit (Chloronicotinyl) which is a trademark name...developed by Bayer to attack grubs in the soil, is a fairly new product for gardeners. People are excited about it since it only needs to be applied once per year. Grubex is a dry material that is supposed to be watered in, then left to dry afterwards and is supposed to be safe. I am discussing this because I think the more we know about anything, the better. I don't propose to use a product like this, as I'm sure you have already guessed, but am looking into it's properties and consequences, good or bad. It stays in the soil and is absorbed by grass.

It affects one nerve receptor in specific grubs and insects and works by blocking the nerve, causing them not to be able to eat and thus not to reproduce. I don't know how specific it is, but it is said to not affect earthworms and wildlife after being watered in and left to dry. It is both ingested and absorbed by contact killing the grubs. It takes 4 weeks to kill large grubs, and less time to kill smaller ones. Grubex remains in the soil for 4 months. I don't know what happens to it once it breaks down, however by the chemical name, Chloronicotinyl it appears it has chlorine molecules in it. I am still looking for research on this product. I'd love to find field tests by some of our agriculture universities.

The representative I spoke to from a company who produces product made with Merit compared its toxicity to less than aspirin or salt.

I'm concerned of course as you would expect, about it's entering into our home grown vegetables if it's put down around the perimeter or near a bed of vegetables. And like anything else that's put down, will children and pets playing on the turf ingest it through their skin or by putting fingers in mouths or licking paws. I suggest sincere care be given to the use of any product and determine if you can live without it as I will choose to do. I am working on this information since I have a real interest in what is entered into the environment and how it will affect life long term. I will update this information as I research it.

Application, 2.87 lbs covers 1000 square feet.

Some links I found for more information are:

Hot Topics in Turfgrass Entomology - Just read what you can...Reading as much as you can helps you make good decisions.

Bayer Corporation "NO BUGS" Website - Read as much as you can before you choose.

Dated 3/4/98

Updated 11/11/99