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I've been having a white grub (< 1 cm in size)

white grub larva

issue with the root system of a fruit tree. Is it possible, in an arid climate, to drown the grubs by watering the tree more?

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No, over watering will not control 'grubs'. You just have to send pictures of these grubs, fruit trees... Where is it that you live? Do NOT overwater. Allow the birds to eat these grubs, the moles, the voles, the shrews...need to know exactly what insect with which you are dealing. Get a big bowl or bucket of water and squirt a bunch of dish soap into it. Swish it around and then dump it on one square foot of area on your lawn, a flat area.

Count the number of grubs that come up out of that spot of soil. Take pictures of these grubs. Then we will be able to guide you better. Lots of people have made the mistake to use pesticide to kill 'grubs'...kills everything even the organisms designed to keep 'grubs' in check. The next year their entire lawn is completely decimated. Do not use pesticides.

Send more information and pictures...thanks!

grub

Grins! Gotta see a picture of YOUR grubs, your tree, the trunk of your tree at the soil line. Grubs are larvae of many insects. This larval stage is extremely destructive by SOME types of larva in some types of environments. Nice drawing but we gotta see the real dude to even get close to understanding your problem to be able to give you clearer answers.

You live in the SW Desert, you have a Mission Fig and somewhere near this tree you've been finding grubs. Please send actual pictures. Have you seen these grubs before in prior years? Have you talked with your neighbors?

I would call your U of A Extension Service...cooperative extension service. Fabulous help, pretty much free, master gardeners right there to help you with stuff they've probably seen.

Grubs can be very destructive, depending on their ID and life cycle.

Everyone needs to learn about this incredible service every state has access to...hosted by the main University of the State. On this site we love to ID but I gotta tell you IDing by photos is iffy. I am amazed what most of these professionals on this garden and landscaping site are able to do for ID just by photos.

Photos are necessary at a minimum to do any ID's. Ideally, one is able to hold, touch, smell, see the real plant, in its habitat. Have the ability to use a specimen microscope...call up their favorite entomologist friend to confirm the ID of a grub.

Send more pictures...we most certainly can help with more info and pictures!

Is this grub as big and fat as yours? This is a grub in the SW near a Mission Fig believe it or not.

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  • I've updated my question. (Also, the type of fruit tree is a mission fig and it's grown in the southwest U.S.)
    – Geremia
    Apr 17, 2018 at 1:41
  • Mine are <1 cm in size.
    – Geremia
    Apr 17, 2018 at 18:29
  • "Have you talked with your neighbors?" The issue is localized to where I planted this particular mission fig tree, so I think the grubs came from the nursery.
    – Geremia
    Apr 17, 2018 at 18:30
  • Is the grub image you posted the normal size for a white grub?
    – Geremia
    Apr 17, 2018 at 21:10
  • Not so much, Geremia. That is one heck of a grub...there are millions of types of grubs, literally, millions. We need a picture of YOUR grub so we can come up with something relevant for your tree/soil. These grubs are most certainly a cyclic thing and your neighbors might have had experience with these guys. This most certainly is not just under your tree. Please, send a few pictures, grubs and tree...?
    – stormy
    Apr 17, 2018 at 21:51

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