Weeds, brown patches of grass, dying plants, and holes in the lawn. Does that sound like a yard with a lot of problems? It could be the work of one tiny pest. Read on and find out how to prevent grubs in your lawn.

What Are Lawn Grubs and Why Are They Bad?

Grubs, sometimes called lawn grubs or grub worms, are the larvae of beetles. Despite their nickname, they are not really worms. They are also not welcome visitors in your yard.

When grubs hatch, they come into the world with voracious appetites. Your grass and plant roots are an immediately source of nutrition for them. These pests damage the root systems of your turf, making it hard for the grass to absorb the necessary nutrients and water. Even a healthy lawn cannot survive an uncontrolled infestation of lawn grubs.

Signs of Grub Damage

  • Dying plants or ones with wilted leaves and stems.
  • Patches of dead or browning grass.
  • Spongy turf underfoot.
  • The turf test: Take a handful of grass and pull gently. Does the turf peel back like a loose carpet?
  • A noticeable increase in weeds.
  • Holes in the ground from burrowing rodents and other animals that feed on pests.
  • Finally, the grubs themselves. Whitish or white-gray in color, they are plump worm-like creatures that curl up in a “C” shape when disturbed. They are most noticeable after you do the turf test.

How to Prevent Grubs in Your Lawn

Grubs are not a serious problem unless there are enough of them. A healthy lawn can handle a few of them without sustaining damage. However, if you find at least six or more per square foot, your yard is in danger of serious damage. So what can you do to prevent grubs in your lawn?

  • First, keep your lawn healthy with regular maintenance. A healthy, well-fertilized lawn is strong enough to withstand some grub activity, and at the same time, it isn’t the best environment in which pests can thrive.
  • Don’t overwater. In order for beetle eggs to hatch into grubs, they need a moist environment. By cutting back on your watering, you may cut back on grubs.
  • Put down roots. Grasses that form deeper root systems, like tall fescue, don’t require as much watering, and therefore, the grubs won’t find the moist environment they love. Also, these longer roots aren’t as easily damaged by feeding grubs. Shallow rooted grasses are among the first to succumb to grub damage.
  • Beneficial nematodes are a natural way to fight some yard pests, including grubs. A small amount of these microscopic worm-like creatures already exist in your soil and love to dine on grub larvae. However, there are both bad and good nematodes, so make sure you are working with the right ones when you want to reduce your grub population.
  • Lastly, there are plenty of pest control products available in stores. When used correctly, some are effective in controlling a grub population and preventing infestations in the future.

Call Free Spray Lawn Care today at 419-529-5296 and we’ll help you prevent grubs and other pests from attacking your lawn.