Earlier this spring, I noticed a few white grubs in our garden, which was covered all winter with compost. I didn’t think anything about it — I just thought they are supposed to be there. But last night I planted some tomatoes and pepper plants and noticed that these grubs are all over the place. And some are huge! And I didn’t even see the bigger ones, but I saw holes in the dirt that I could put my finger through.

So I got a little more concerned about it and turned to my trusty friend — Google. What I found out about it is about as confusing as everything else the Net has about composting. Some people say this, some people say that, and you aren’t sure who to believe.

This page identifies them as the larvae of the Green Fruit Beetle and describes them as a good thing for a compost pile. Both the larvae and the beetles feed on decomposing organic material, and so what’s wrong with that? But there are pages and pages about people dying to get rid of them.

Wikipedia says the larvae thrive in urban compost piles (which I have!) and feed on the roots of grass. My compost is one thing, but my grass is another. Wikipedia also says that the beetles eat peaches and figs, which I have none. I do have tomatoes, though and they are fruit — will they feast on those?

To get rid of them the organic way, I would have to find some nematodes. Would I be able to find some in Omaha? If I got rid of them using chemicals, what else would I kill in my seemingly-perfect composted garden?

So should I leave them or figure out how to get rid of them? I’m not sure what I should do . .

On another note, in my research, I found a blog named I Wet My Plants, which is not only a good name for a gardening blog, but a good organic gardening blog.

Update:  I took a grub to Moore’s Nursery by my house and they confirmed that it was a June beetle larvae, aka a Green Fruit Beetle larvae.  After some discussion, the two ladies helping me said to not to do anything with the vegetables, but if the grubs get into the lawn then something has to be done.  Thanks to Kathy of “I Wet My Plants” for the thought of taking the grub to the greenhouse in the first place.