Grubs, i.e. the larvae of certain types of beetles, not only appear in garden soil, but also in flower pots on the balcony. They can be fought here in a not that complicated way. Above all, the spatial limitation is an advantage here.
How do you effectively fight grubs on the balcony?
You can combat grubs on the balcony by hand-selecting the larvae, exposing them to moisture or using predatory nematodes. Prevention can be achieved through insect protection nets over plants during beetle flight times or by planting garlic.
Why grubs also appear on the balcony
The harmful species of grubs are those that feed on the roots of living plants. This is mainly done by the larvae of the following beetle species found in Central Europe:
- Cockchafer
- June beetle
- Garden leaf beetle
These beetles also lay their eggs in places where plants with promising nutritional value for the larvae grow. Actually, grubs of these beetle species have a preference for grasses and are therefore mainly found in lawns. A flower box with strawberries or a small raised bed with herbs and lettuce on the balcony can also be a welcome place for laying eggs.
Control measures
Hand selection
If you discover grubs when replanting balcony boxes or repotting individual pot plants, the easiest way is to simply pick them out of the pot soil by hand. Of course, this requires some thoroughness – and, if necessary, a certain resistance to disgust!
Luring out with wetness
By exposing the grubs to a lot of moisture, you can lure them out of their hiding places. It is best to place the root ball of potted plants in an immersion bath. The larvae will then crawl to the surface where they can be easily collected. However, this is unlikely to completely get rid of the pests.
Nematodes
In order to remove the grubs as completely as possible, it is advisable to use predatory nematodes (€29.00 at Amazon) in addition to collecting them. The parasitic nematodes available in garden shops kill the pests.
Prevention
To prevent the grub trouble from occurring in the first place, it is worth taking preventative measures during the flight times of May, June and garden leaf beetles.
Insect protection nets during beetle flight times
Insect protection nets over balcony boxes and flower pots are a fairly safe way to prevent beetles from laying their eggs.
Planting garlic
Garlic has a deterrent effect on adult beetles. Garlic plants can deter them from laying their eggs. However, the aromatic tuber plants can enrich your herbal repertoire on the balcony.
