Maintaining a beautiful lawn is a challenge, especially when your hard work is undermined by an invisible pest underground. Does your yard have thinning grass, brown patches, or bare spots? You may have grubsin your lawn.

What Are Grubs?

Grayish white or light tan in color, grub worms are actually not worms at all. They are beetle larvae. Early in the summer, female beetles lay eggs in the grass or on plants. Once the eggs hatch, the small plump creatures work their way underground. There they feed on grass and plant roots throughout the summer and well into fall. An infestation of grubs in your lawn causes destruction because the damaged roots below ground can’t provide proper nutrients to the grass above.

Signs that There Are Grubs in Your Lawn

It’s spring, and while most of your grass is greening up nicely, there are several brown patches, bare spots, or areas with wilted yellowing blades. This turf isn’t getting the nutrients required to thrive. There could be an infestation below ground.

Damaged areas tend to feel spongy underfoot. This is because the root systems have been eaten away. If you grab a clump of the damaged grass and give it a tug, does it peel back like a loose rug? You’ll be able to see the tiny creatures at work underneath. They curl up as soon as they are exposed.

Have you recently noticed more wildlife visiting your yard? Birds and rodents feed on pests in the lawn and grubs make a juicy meal. Look for mole holes or disturbed dirt and you may find where rodents dig for dinner.

Another sign that you may have a pest problem is the sudden appearance of weeds. The damaged areas of grass left behind after a grub feeding frenzy provide the perfect environment for weeds to take root and spread.

What You Can Do About Grubs

A healthy, well-maintained lawn is strong enough to survive a few grubs here and there. Your best defense against these pests is proper and regular watering, mowing, and fertilizing.

If that’s not enough you may need to visit your local garden center. There you can purchase milky spore disease powder, a type of safe fungus in a powder form that when sprinkled on the lawn kills grubs and prevents them from returning. Beneficial nematodes are also available at the garden center. These microscopic parasites eat the grub larvae.

Want to try your own concoction? Mix up a solution of laundry detergent and water and spray it over the infected areas of the lawn. This forces the grubs to come to the surface. Then birds and other animals can easily prey on them or you can easily get rid of them yourself.

If these natural solutions don’t work, try an insecticide that contains the active ingredient trichlorfon. Follow the directions on the label carefully. Instead of dealing with dangerous chemicals, the best course to take is to call in a professional and let them assess the situation.

Call Us

As spring approaches, every lawn owner looks forward to the grass getting greener. Don’t let grubs in your lawn destroy your yard. To find out what’s damaging your grass or how to prevent pests, contact Free Spray Lawn Care today at 419-529-5296.