Scotts GrubEx: Where To Buy, Price, And How To Apply (2025)

Brown patches spreading across your lawn usually mean grubs are feeding on grass roots below the surface. These beetle larvae work quietly underground until you notice dead spots that peel back like carpet. By then the damage is already done.

Scotts GrubEx stops grubs before they destroy your lawn. One spring or early summer application protects your grass for up to four months. The product kills existing grubs and prevents new ones from hatching.

This guide shows you exactly where to buy Scotts GrubEx and what you'll pay at different retailers. You'll learn when to apply it for maximum protection, how to measure your lawn and calibrate your spreader, and the correct watering technique to activate the treatment. We'll also cover safety precautions to keep your family and pets protected during and after application.

What Scotts GrubEx does for your lawn

Scotts GrubEx contains chlorantraniliprole, a preventive insecticide that creates a protective barrier in your soil. The granules release the active ingredient when you water them in, and it binds to the top layer of soil where grubs feed. This treatment stops beetle larvae before they can multiply and destroy grass roots.

The active ingredient and how it works

Chlorantraniliprole works by disrupting the muscle function of grubs and other listed insects. When grubs ingest the treated soil or grass roots, they stop feeding within hours and die within days. The chemical persists in your soil for up to four months, providing season-long protection during the critical spring and summer growing periods.

"One application protects your lawn through the entire grub feeding season."

What pests it controls

The product targets 25 different grub types including Japanese beetle larvae, European chafer grubs, and masked chafer grubs. You'll also get control over surface-feeding pests like armyworm caterpillars, chinch bugs, billbugs, and sod webworms. May and June beetles, which cause significant root damage, die when exposed to the treated soil.

Japanese beetle grubs cause the most widespread lawn damage across the United States. These white C-shaped larvae feed aggressively on grass roots from late summer through fall. Scotts GrubEx applied in spring or early summer prevents the next generation from establishing in your lawn.

Protection timeline and coverage

A 14.35-pound bag treats 5,000 square feet of lawn. You apply it once per season, and the protection lasts through the peak grub activity period. The granular formula spreads easily with any broadcast or drop spreader, making application straightforward for homeowners.

Your grass stays protected as new grubs hatch and begin searching for roots to feed on. The soil treatment kills them during their vulnerable early stages before they grow large enough to cause visible damage. This preventive approach saves you from the difficult task of killing mature grubs after brown patches appear.

Where to buy Scotts GrubEx and typical prices

You can purchase Scotts GrubEx at major home improvement stores, online retailers, and local garden centers across the United States. The most common size is the 14.35-pound bag that treats 5,000 square feet, though larger coverage options exist for bigger properties.

National retailers and their prices

Home Depot carries Scotts GrubEx in stores and online, typically priced around $19.98 to $24.98 for the 5,000 square foot coverage bag. You can check local inventory on their website before making the trip, and they often run seasonal promotions during spring lawn care season.

Lowe's stocks the same product at similar price points, usually within $1 to $2 of Home Depot's pricing. Both stores let you order online for in-store pickup, which saves shipping costs and lets you get the product the same day.

Amazon sells Scotts GrubEx with prices that fluctuate between $22 and $28 depending on demand and seller. Prime members get free shipping, but watch for third-party sellers who might charge above retail. Check the "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" label to ensure you're buying directly from Amazon.

Price comparison and buying strategy

Here's what you'll typically pay at different retailers:

Retailer	Price Range	Shipping	Availability
Home Depot	$19.98-$24.98	Free store pickup	In-store + online
Lowe's	$20.98-$24.98	Free store pickup	In-store + online
Amazon	$22.00-$28.00	Free with Prime	Online only
Walmart	$21.98-$25.98	Free pickup	In-store + online
Ace Hardware	$23.98-$27.98	Varies by location	In-store

Buy during early spring (March through April) when retailers stock up and run promotional pricing. You'll find the best deals before peak grub season hits in May and June. Local garden centers sometimes match or beat big box prices, and they can provide application advice specific to your region.

"Purchasing in early spring gives you both better prices and ensures product availability before the rush."

Calculate how many bags you need before shopping. Measure your lawn's square footage and divide by 5,000 to determine bag quantity. Buying multiple bags at once sometimes triggers volume discounts at local retailers.

Step 1. Time your application correctly

Apply Scotts GrubEx between late April and mid-July for maximum grub control. This window targets the period before beetle eggs hatch and grubs begin feeding on your grass roots. Timing matters more than any other application factor because the product works preventively, not curatively.

Apply in spring or early summer

Your application date depends on when grubs hatch in your region and the life cycle of the beetles causing damage. Most grub species emerge from eggs between late spring and mid-summer, making May through early June the optimal treatment period for most of the United States.

Japanese beetles lay eggs in July, and those eggs hatch into grubs within two weeks. You need the chlorantraniliprole already in your soil before hatching occurs. Application in May or early June gives the chemical time to distribute through the root zone and reach full effectiveness.

Southern states should apply in late April through May when soil temperatures rise earlier. Northern regions can wait until late May or early June when temperatures consistently stay warmer. Your local extension office provides specific timing recommendations based on regional beetle populations.

Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar

Apply when your soil temperature reaches 55°F to 60°F at a depth of two to three inches. This temperature range signals that beetles will soon begin laying eggs. You can measure soil temperature with a basic soil thermometer from any garden center, checking in early morning for the most accurate reading.

Soil temperature matters because it correlates directly with grub development stages. Cold soil means beetles haven't started laying eggs yet, and you risk the chemical breaking down before grubs arrive. Hot soil temperatures above 80°F indicate you've already entered peak grub feeding season.

"Applying when soil hits 55°F to 60°F puts protection in place exactly when you need it."

What happens if you miss the window

Late applications after grubs reach their second or third growth stage show limited effectiveness. Scotts GrubEx prevents newly hatched grubs from establishing, but mature grubs feeding on roots in August or September require different treatment products. You'll see brown patches appear before the preventive treatment can work.

Early applications in March or early April waste product and money. The active ingredient degrades naturally over time, and applying months before egg-laying begins means reduced protection during the critical hatching period. You'll need to reapply if you treat too early, doubling your costs and labor.

Mark your calendar for application based on your region's soil temperature patterns. Set a reminder for late April or early May, then check soil temperature weekly until it reaches the target range. This systematic approach ensures you apply exactly when grubs become vulnerable.

Step 2. Measure your lawn and set the spreader

Accurate lawn measurement prevents both product waste and under-treatment gaps that leave parts of your lawn vulnerable to grub damage. You need to know your exact square footage before opening the bag, then calibrate your spreader to distribute Scotts GrubEx evenly across the entire area.

Calculate your lawn's square footage

Measure rectangular areas by multiplying length times width in feet. Walk your property with a measuring tape or wheel, recording dimensions for each section. A front yard measuring 50 feet by 40 feet equals 2,000 square feet (50 × 40 = 2,000).

Irregular shapes require you to break the lawn into smaller rectangles or triangles. Calculate each section separately, then add them together for total coverage. For triangular areas, multiply base times height and divide by two. Round areas use the formula πr² (3.14 × radius × radius).

Online lawn measurement tools provide quick estimates using satellite imagery, but physical measurements give you the most reliable numbers. Add 10% to your calculated square footage to account for spreader overlap and ensure complete coverage.

Set your spreader to the correct rate

Scotts GrubEx requires specific spreader settings based on your equipment type. The product label lists settings for common spreader brands, but you need to verify the correct number for your model before filling the hopper.

Spreader Brand	Setting Number
Scotts Elite	5.5
Scotts Classic	7
Scotts EdgeGuard	5.25
Scotts Turf Builder	5
Scotts Wizz	2.5

Calibrate your spreader by filling it with product and spreading over a measured 1,000 square foot section. Weigh what remains in the hopper, subtract from the starting weight, and compare to the recommended application rate of 2.87 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Adjust the setting up or down based on whether you applied too little or too much.

"Proper calibration ensures you get four months of protection without gaps in coverage."

Test your spreader on your driveway first. You should see consistent granule distribution with slight overlap between passes. Uneven patterns mean you need to adjust your walking speed or spreader setting before treating the actual lawn.

Step 3. Apply, water in, and stay safe

The actual application process takes 15 to 30 minutes for an average lawn once you've measured and calibrated your spreader. You'll walk systematic patterns across your grass, water the granules into the soil, and follow basic safety protocols to protect your family and pets. This step activates the Scotts GrubEx and moves it into the root zone where grubs feed.

Walk your application pattern

Start at one corner of your lawn and walk in straight lines back and forth across the entire area, similar to mowing. Keep a steady walking pace of about 3 feet per second, which allows the spreader to distribute granules evenly without gaps or heavy concentrations.

Overlap each pass by 6 to 12 inches to prevent untreated strips where grubs can still damage roots. Watch the granules fall and adjust your walking speed if you see bare spots appearing between passes. Turn off the spreader when you stop walking or change direction to avoid dumping product in one spot.

Apply around the perimeter first, then fill in the middle sections. This technique prevents you from walking over treated areas and ensures you cover edges where grubs often concentrate. For large lawns over 10,000 square feet, fill your spreader hopper twice rather than overfilling it at the start.

Water within 24 hours

Apply 0.5 inches of water immediately after spreading the granules, or within 24 hours at the latest. This watering moves the active ingredient from the grass blades down into the soil where it bonds with organic matter and clay particles in the root zone.

Measure water application by placing empty tuna cans or straight-sided containers across your lawn before turning on sprinklers. Run the sprinklers until the cans fill to 0.5 inches, which typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your system's output rate. You can also use rain that occurs within 24 hours to activate the treatment, as long as it delivers at least half an inch of precipitation.

"Watering within 24 hours moves the treatment into the soil where grubs feed and prevents it from degrading on grass surfaces."

Skip watering only if heavy rain is forecast within 12 hours. Check your local weather forecast before application and plan accordingly. Light misting or brief showers don't count because they won't move the granules deep enough into the soil profile.

Keep children and pets off treated areas

Wait 24 to 48 hours after application and watering before allowing foot traffic on your lawn. The granules need this time to fully dissolve and bind to soil particles, reducing any contact risk. Children and pets should stay completely off the grass during this period.

Post signs or mark treated areas if you have a large property where people might enter without knowing you applied pesticide. Remove pet water bowls and toys from the lawn before treatment. Store any remaining product in its original container with the label intact in a locked shed or garage away from children.

Wear gloves when handling the product and wash your hands immediately after spreading. Avoid applying on windy days when granules might blow onto sidewalks or driveways where children play. Sweep any stray granules back onto the lawn rather than washing them into storm drains.

Wrap up your grub control plan

Scotts GrubEx protects your lawn when you apply it at the right time, use the correct spreader settings, and water it in properly. Spring or early summer application gives you season-long protection against 25 grub types that destroy grass roots. Follow the three-step process outlined above each year to prevent brown patches from appearing in your turf.

Professional lawn care eliminates the guesswork from grub control and fertilization programs. Contact Denton Lawn Care for comprehensive treatment plans that keep your Leander lawn healthy and grub-free year-round.