Grub Worms In Your Lawn: A Comprehensive Guide
Got grubs in your lawn? Grubs are the larvae of various scarab beetles, including Japanese beetles and so-called “June bugs.” These little nasties often appear white, with dark red heads and black mandibles. They’re soft and shaped like the letter “C,” with legs near their heads.
Grubs awaken after winter and immediately begin feeding on tender grassroots when ground temperatures begin to warm. Generally, they turn into pupae in late spring, which then morph into adult beetles. By summer, these adults emerge from the ground to feast on flowers, trees, and other lawn and garden vegetation. Later in the season, they mate and lay their eggs in the ground, which hatch in autumn. As soon as they hatch, the new grubs eat as many grassroots as they can find before hibernating underground for winter. Once the following spring arrives, their destructive lifecycles begin again.
How Grubs in Your Lawn Cause Damage
Grub worms damage lawns by feeding off the roots of the grass. Because this reduces the grass’s ability to get essential water and nutrients, you’ll be able to spot some telltale warning signs if these hungry pests are invading it. Once the mowing season begins in spring, look for brown patches that never turn green. Then, carefully lift a piece of affected lawn - if grubs are the culprit, you’ll be able to easily pull up grass and find all its roots are gone.
If you have an irrigation system or routinely water your lawn, similarly hard-to-explain dead patches in late summer and early fall can point to a grub infestation. Likewise, an influx of animals, including moles, skunks, birds, and raccoons, may be a sign of grubs since these critters love to eat them. And they’ll cause quite a bit more damage to your grass as they dig through it, rooting around for grubs.
How To Get Rid of Grubs In Your Lawn
Grubs aren’t easy to stop once the damage is done, so awareness and timing are crucial. So, how do you kick those grubs to the curb?
If you discover grubs in your lawn, the sooner you act, the better your chance of getting rid of them. Several different methods exist for getting rid of grubs, each with specific benefits depending on the extent of your infestation.
One of the most common ways to get rid of grubs is to use insecticide treatment. Grub control insecticides are one of the most effective ways to eliminate these pests. The insecticides contain active ingredients like imidacloprid, which help target the grubs and prevent them from feeding off your soil. For the best result, apply it in late summer or early fall when the grubs are young and closer to the surface of the soil.
For a more natural approach, you might want to consider using nematodes, which are microscopic organisms that infect and kill grubs. This is a more eco-friendly method, and they can be applied using a sprayer. For best results, nematodes when the soil is moist. Some people also use milky spore powder, which is helpful in targeting Japanese beetle grubs.
If the infestation is small, you might be able to control the grubs just by manually digging up any affected areas and removing the larvae. We don’t recommend doing this if you have a large infestation, but it can help reduce populations in isolated spots.
If getting rid of grubs seems too daunting, the answer is right in front of you. As a locally-owned lawn care company, we do everything possible to make sure our customers love their lawns.
Our Grub Control Program is designed to protect your lawn from grubs and grub damage. First, it includes a one-time application for your entire lawn to prevent grubs from causing damage. It also includes a special guarantee that if grubs do cause damage to your lawn this year, Lawn Pride will take the steps needed to kill the grubs and repair the damage at no additional charge. Get your free estimate today.
How To Treat Grubs in Lawn: Best Practices
Successfully treating grubs in your lawn involves following a few proven practices to ensure the best results. You can start by identifying an infestation. If you find five or more grubs per square foot, you likely have an infestation.
Next, you’ll need to select the right treatment based on the severity of the grub population. If you decide to use a chemical treatment, use a broadcast spreader to get the insecticide evenly across the affected areas. If you’re using nematodes, water the lawn before you apply them.
Regardless of what DIY treatment option you choose, water your lawn afterward. This can help the product reach the roots, which is where the grubs are likely hiding.
Wait a few weeks after you’ve applied your treatment, and then recheck your grass for signs of grubs. If you still find warning signs of grubs, repeat the treatment. If nothing is still working, call the professionals at Lawn Pride for expert services.
Preventing Grub Worm Infestations
Preventing grubs in your lawn starts by maintaining a healthy lawn that is resistant to pests. For example, you should be:
- Aerating your lawn: It improves soil health by reducing compaction, which limits root growth and makes your grass more resilient.
- Fertilizing regularly: A well-nourished lawn is better equipped to recover from minor pest damage, which also makes it harder for the grubs to establish a colony.
- Water often: Avoid over and underwatering. Overwatering can attract beetles that want to lay eggs, but underwatering can weaken the health of your grass.
Our Grub Control Program will provide you with specific instructions for watering – a key factor for an effective outcome after the application.
You also want to talk to your neighbors, or at the very least, keep a close eye on their lawns. If warning signs about grub problems are present next door, there is a greater chance that grubs will spread to your yard, too.
Lastly, be prepared for next year! Now that you know all of the facts you need to know about grubs, you’ll be aware of the timing for a grub application when the spring comes along next year.
Protect Your Lawn from Grub Worm Damage Today
Are you looking for a local pro to help control grubs on your lawn? We’re skilled at taking care of grubs before, during, and after they infest lawns. Our effective treatment process controls grubs fast and stops the damage before it’s done. What’s more, all of our work is backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise™, ensuring you are satisfied with our services. Contact Lawn Pride for expert grub control and lawn care solutions today!
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.