Have you tried those animal repellants made from putrefied eggs? My dad swears by the stuff. He used to have animals eating up his grapes and apples but spraying the stuff in proximity has shown a night and day result.

I'm afraid I never stopped them, they did their damage until they were through. They just laughed at those products made from putrefied eggs, etc., fwiw. Nauseated me, but apparently not them.

If you want them gone now, you need to kill them all. If you can't stomach that (as I couldn't) your only other choice is to live with them until winter, then when they are less active next spring your new KBG will recover. I wish I had better advice, but I don't think there is any. It is a serious problem for the concientious-minded.

Paul,

Did you ever determine if you had grubs last year? I really don't think I have them. I checked again yesterday but didn't see a single grub. Do these vermin go after earthworms?

Greg