Chafer beetle escalation - HELP!

We’ve had a bad case of chafer beetles on our place. They've shown up in those areas where we’ve got quite a sandy mineral soil under thin topsoil.  And both raccoons & skunks dig many holes, down three to five inches, for the beetle grubs there — looks like a rototiller has worked-over the ground... and in a most sloppy manner!

This past spring we purchased a packaged slab of nematodes that you mix thoroughly into water, then water the area with this activated solution. The directions cautioned to wait until the air temperatures were running above 12* Celsius, which we did, and do this at a time of day when there’s no significant direct sunlight. I really soaked the affected area. Then after spreading the nematodes, you need to maintain ground moisture, so we did.

Unfortunately, the treatment didn’t work — being optimistic, there might be an improvement for next year, but certainly not for this. We have no idea. But skunks have been back & I’m having to trap them one by one. I've caught four since the nematode treatment.

Got any effective treatments for chafer beetles?

I don't know what Chafer beetles are so I can only offer what I would try if I had a problem with beetles.

I have heard people talking about DE, have you tried that?

Anne Miller wrote:I don't know what Chafer beetles are so I can only offer what I would try if I had a problem with beetles.

I have heard people talking about DE, have you tried that?

Thanks Anne. Two things come to mind. First, I'm wondering if you're referring to problems with beetles in the mature phase, where they're basically living above ground? Second, I'm referring to an issue spread throughout 400 sq ft in one spot (and here & there elsewhere on our land, too) — hence, even if it had a chance of working on these beetle grubs that are living 2 - 4-inches below surface, it would seem to require an enormous amount of DE.  It would have to be present in the soil from a depth of 4" almost right up to the surface, to kill grubs that would be eating in that range.

Okay, that is an easier one.  Sorry, I miss understood what the problem was.

Dilute dish soap or better yet pour your used dishwashing water over the ground where they are.

If that doesn't work you might try diluted vinegar.

Again, thanks Anne. I assume you've used these methods to control grubs in soil. Please tell me how your experiences went.