Grubs can turn a thriving lawn into unsightly patches of brown, dying grass. These pests feed on the grass roots, making it hard for your lawn to absorb water and nutrients.
If you want to keep your lawn healthy (and avoid getting a call from your HOA about how your lawn is ruining the neighborhood’s aesthetics), you need to know the basics of grub control and how to stop them before they cause real damage.
What Are Lawn Grubs?
Lawn grubs are beetle larvae. They live just below the surface of your lawn and eat the roots of your grass. This feeding weakens the turf and can lead to thin, brown, or dead areas. Grubs are most active in late summer and early fall, but their life cycle starts much earlier in the year.
Grubs are easy to miss at first. You might not notice them until you see large, irregular brown patches in your lawn, at which point, they’ve already done their damage. What’s worse is that sometimes, birds, skunks, or raccoons will dig up your yard looking for these larvae, creating another problem.
Signs You Have a Grub Problem
Before you treat for grubs, you need to know what to look for. Grub damage often appears as:
- Brown or yellow patches that don’t respond to watering.
- Grass that feels loose and rolls up easily, almost like a carpet.
- Increased animal activity, such as birds or small mammals digging in your yard.
If you suspect grubs, peel back a small section of turf. If you see more than five to ten grubs per square foot, it’s time to act.
Understanding the Grub Life Cycle
Knowing the grub life cycle helps you choose the right time for treatment. Most grubs hatch from eggs laid by beetles in early to mid-summer. The larvae feed on roots through late summer and early fall, then burrow deeper as winter approaches. They return to the surface in spring, but by then, they’re larger and harder to control.
- Eggs: Laid in early to mid-summer.
- Larvae: Feed on roots from late summer into fall.
- Pupae: Overwinter in deeper soil.
- Adults: Emerge in late spring to start the cycle again.
Why Timing Matters
The best time to treat for grubs is when they’re small. This is the time when they live closest to the surface, not deep underground. Treatments work best on young larvae, not on mature grubs that have already caused damage. Applying products too early or too late can reduce their effectiveness.
Treating Active Grub Infestations
If you notice damage in late summer or fall, you’re likely dealing with mature grubs. At this stage, curative treatments can help, but they may not be as effective as preventative options. These treatments target grubs already feeding on roots.
How to Prevent Grub Damage
Prevention is more effective than trying to fix a damaged lawn.
Here are some lawn care steps you can take to keep grubs from taking over:
- Mow regularly: Keep grass at the recommended height for your turf type. Don’t scalp the lawn.
- Aerate the soil: Aeration helps roots grow deeper and improves water absorption.
- Water deeply but infrequently: Deep watering encourages strong root systems, but don’t water too much as that’s also just as bad for your lawn’s health.
- Fertilize: Use the right amount of fertilizer for your grass and soil. Don’t use too much. Otherwise, it will only attract more beetles.
- Remove thatch: Thatch is a layer of dead grass that can harbor pests. Remove it if it’s more than half an inch thick.
By sticking to these practices, you give your lawn the best chance to resist grub infestations and recover quickly if problems do occur.
How to Spot Grub Damage Early
Early detection helps you act before grubs ruin your lawn. Check for these warning signs:
- Grass starts to wilt or turn brown despite regular watering.
- The turf feels spongy or lifts easily from the soil.
- You see more birds, skunks, or raccoons digging in your yard.
If you find grubs, count how many are in a square foot. More than five to ten means you should treat the area.
Steps to Take If You Find Grubs
If you confirm a grub problem, act quickly:
- Apply the recommended treatment based on the time of year and the size of the grubs.
- Water the area well after treatment.
- Avoid mowing for a few days to let the product work.
- Monitor the area for recovery and re-treat if needed.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Grubs?
Ignoring grubs can lead to bigger problems. As they eat the roots, your lawn weakens and becomes more vulnerable to drought, disease, and weeds. Severe infestations can kill large sections of grass, leaving bare spots that are hard to repair.
Restoring a Lawn Damaged by Grubs
If grubs have already damaged your lawn, you can help it recover:
- Rake up dead grass and debris.
- Reseed bare patches with the right grass seed for your area.
- Water regularly to encourage new growth.
- Continue regular mowing, aeration, and fertilization.
Recovery takes time, but with consistent care, your lawn can bounce back and look even better than ever.
Final Thoughts
Grubs can cause serious damage to your lawn, but you can control them with the right timing and care. Preventative treatments in early to mid-summer work best against grubs.
Keep your lawn healthy with regular mowing, aeration, and proper watering, and you shouldn’t worry so much about grubs as you would if you neglected its health. But ff you spot signs of grubs, act quickly to limit the damage and help your lawn recover.
You can also work with pest control professionals that offer lawn care services to help keep your lawn in tip-top shape.
