BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus: How To Apply, Timing & Tips

Grubs can destroy a healthy lawn in weeks. These underground pests feed on grass roots, leaving behind brown patches and spongy turf that peels away like carpet. If you've noticed these warning signs, BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus is one of the most popular solutions homeowners reach for, and for good reason.

At Denton Lawn Care, we've spent over 25 years treating lawns across the Leander and Austin areas, and grub damage is something we see regularly. Whether you're tackling this problem yourself or considering professional help, knowing how to apply grub killer correctly makes all the difference between wasted product and a protected lawn.

This guide covers everything you need: the right application timing, proper spreader settings, mixing instructions, and tips to get the best results from your treatment. Let's get your lawn back on track.

What BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus does

BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus is a granular insecticide that targets white grubs in all their life stages, from eggs to mature larvae. The active ingredient, Trichlorfon, works by interfering with the nervous system of grubs, stopping them from feeding on your grass roots within days of application. You'll find this product effective against Japanese beetles, European chafers, and other common grub species that plague Texas lawns.

Active ingredient and mode of action

The Trichlorfon formula penetrates the soil when you water it in, reaching grubs where they feed below the surface. Unlike some treatments that only work on contact, this product creates a protective barrier in the top few inches of soil that continues killing newly hatched grubs for up to four months. Your lawn gets protection during the critical summer and early fall months when grub populations spike.

BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus kills grubs within 24 hours of proper application and watering.

Once activated, the granules release slowly into your soil, meaning you get sustained control rather than a single knockout treatment. This extended protection matters because grubs hatch in waves throughout summer, not all at once. The residual action catches late-hatching larvae that would otherwise slip through a shorter-lasting treatment.

Coverage and protection timeline

One bag covers 5,000 to 10,000 square feet depending on whether you're treating a current infestation or applying preventively. The four-month protection window aligns perfectly with the grub life cycle in Texas, where peak egg-laying happens from late May through August. You'll need to reapply each season since the product doesn't carry over year to year, but one well-timed application typically handles the entire summer grub season when damage peaks.

Step 1. Confirm you have a grub problem

Before you spend money on BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus, you need to verify that grubs are actually damaging your lawn. Brown patches can come from drought, disease, or shallow roots, so proper diagnosis saves you time and money. Grubs create specific damage patterns that differ from other lawn problems, and you can confirm their presence in minutes with a simple inspection.

Visual signs to check for

Your lawn shows distinct symptoms when grubs are feeding below. Look for irregular brown patches that appear in late summer or early fall, especially in sunny areas where the soil stays warm. These dead zones feel spongy underfoot, and the grass lifts away easily because grubs have severed the roots. Birds, skunks, or raccoons digging up your turf are another reliable indicator since they hunt grubs as a food source.

A lawn with grub damage peels back like carpet because the roots have been eaten away completely.

The tug test

Cut three sides of a one-foot square in your lawn using a sharp spade, then peel back the turf like you're opening a book. Inspect the top two to three inches of soil for C-shaped white larvae with brown heads. Five or more grubs per square foot means you need treatment immediately. Check multiple spots across affected areas since grubs cluster in patches rather than spreading evenly throughout your entire lawn.

Step 2. Pick the right timing in Texas

Timing determines whether BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus actually works or just sits in your soil doing nothing. Grubs are only vulnerable during specific windows in their life cycle, and Texas weather creates a unique application schedule that differs from the instructions you'll find on the bag.

Preventive application window

Apply your first treatment in late May through early July if you want to stop grubs before they damage your lawn. This timing catches eggs as they hatch and before the larvae grow large enough to cause visible harm. The soil temperature needs to stay consistently above 60°F for the product to activate properly, which happens reliably in Texas by late spring.

Preventive applications in June protect your lawn during the peak grub feeding season from July through September.

Treating active damage

If you've already spotted brown patches and confirmed grubs through the tug test, apply treatment immediately regardless of the month. Active infestations require fast action since mature grubs consume grass roots rapidly. You can still apply as late as early October in Texas since our mild fall keeps grubs feeding longer than in northern states. The product works on all grub stages, but younger larvae die faster than fully mature ones.

Step 3. Prep, measure, and set your spreader

Getting your spreader settings right prevents wasting product on overlapped areas or leaving gaps where grubs survive. BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus requires accurate measurement and calibration before you start spreading granules across your lawn. Most application failures happen because homeowners skip this prep work and either over-apply or under-apply the product.

Calculate your lawn area

Measure your lawn's length and width in feet, then multiply them together for square footage. Break irregular shapes into rectangles or triangles and add the totals. For curved beds or odd corners, round up slightly since slight over-coverage beats missing spots where grubs can continue feeding. Most properties in the 5,000 to 7,500 square foot range need a full bag of BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus for proper coverage.

Accurate measurement ensures you buy enough product and apply it at the correct rate for effective grub control.

Spreader settings and calibration

Set your broadcast spreader to setting 3 for most Scotts models or setting 4 for Earthway spreaders. These settings deliver the recommended 2.87 pounds per 1,000 square feet that kills grubs effectively. Test your spreader on pavement first by walking your normal pace and checking the spread pattern, which should reach 6 to 8 feet wide for even coverage. Adjust the setting up or down by half a number if granules clump or scatter too sparsely.

Step 4. Apply granules and water them in

Proper application technique determines whether BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus reaches the soil zone where grubs feed. You need consistent coverage across your entire lawn and enough water to activate the granules without washing them away. This step requires attention to walking speed and watering duration, not just throwing product on the grass and hoping it works.

Application technique

Walk at a steady, normal pace while pushing your spreader in straight lines across your lawn. Overlap each pass by six inches to prevent striping or missed spots where grubs survive. Apply the product when grass is dry so granules fall to the soil surface instead of sticking to wet blades. Cover your entire treatment area in one session rather than breaking it into multiple days, which creates uneven protection levels.

Consistent walking speed ensures even distribution and prevents gaps in coverage that leave grubs untreated.

Watering protocol

Water your lawn immediately after spreading granules, ideally within 24 hours of application. Apply half an inch of water using sprinklers, which takes about 30 minutes with most residential systems. This moisture carries the active ingredient into the top two to three inches of soil where grubs feed. Skip mowing for 24 hours after treatment so granules have time to dissolve and penetrate properly.

Final thoughts

You now have everything needed to apply BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus correctly. The difference between success and failure comes down to timing your application during late May through early July and watering thoroughly within 24 hours. These two factors determine whether the product reaches grubs in the soil or just sits on your grass blades doing nothing.

Grub damage spreads quickly once it starts, so act as soon as you spot brown patches or confirm larvae through the tug test. One properly timed treatment protects your lawn through the entire summer feeding season, saving you from costly repairs later. If you'd rather skip the measuring, spreading, and timing calculations, professional lawn care services handle grub control as part of comprehensive fertilization programs. Denton Lawn Care has protected Leander lawns for over 25 years with treatments timed perfectly for Texas grub seasons.