For spring, GrubEx works as a great and reasonably gentle preventative for grubs if you consistently have a problem with them. It's not that cheap, but it sure works.

Some do use milky spore, but I've had no luck with it. Others use nematodes. I haven't tried as my Japanese beetle problem was so extreme I wasn't into experimentation.

For July...nothing unless you're sure you have a problem, and don't use anything until you do. Because, as you noticed, everything that will control them is fairly expensive and very, very toxic, and there are no good preventatives for cinch bugs. Talstar, Ortho B Gone, and Sevin all work.

thanks ... curious when exactly in Spring to use Grubex? I am in Northern NJ.