Grub Infestation in Your Lawn? Here’s How to Get Rid Them for Good

If you’ve noticed that your previously lush, green lawn is turning brown, there could be several reasons for this. Your grass may be going dormant, it could be dead, or there might be a grub infestation. If you can cross off dormant and dead grass, then grubs may be the cause of frustration. So, let’s talk about how to get rid of grubs in your lawn so your grass can be green and healthy once again.

What Is a Grub?

Have you ever seen one of those reality shows about people surviving alone in the wilderness? If so, you’ve probably seen one or two of those folks eating grubs. After all, they are edible. But for us folks who go about their daily lives enjoying the comforts of home, grubs are more of a nuisance, especially if they’re munching on the roots of your lawn.

Perhaps you’ve seen a grub or two but don’t really know what they are. Before we discuss how to get rid of grubs in lawns, let’s address what a grub is.

A grub is the larvae of scarab beetles, including Japanese beetles and June bugs. These underground dwellers emerge in the spring and early fall and love to feast on grass roots. But by eating your lawn’s grass roots, they’re robbing your grass of water.

Signs of Grub Damage in Your Lawn

It’s easy to mistake signs of grub damage in your lawn as drought damage. Leaving brown patches on your lawn, these C-shaped insects typically surface from the ground during the warmer season. But there is a difference between a lawn damaged by drought and one infested with grubs. A grub-damaged lawn has had its roots depleted, so peeling grass from the soil is much easier.

There are other signs to look for other than brown patches on your lawn:

• Spongy grass
• Increased animal activity (Birds, skunks, and raccoons find grubs delicious.)
• Loose sod
• Large numbers of beetles or moths
• Dead patches of grass
• Yellowing grass

If you notice any of these signs of damage on your lawn, you need to know how to get rid of grubs in lawns. Of course, you can prevent grub infestations by keeping your lawn healthy, which means fertilizing, mulching, and mowing correctly. If you don’t have the time to take care of your lawn, find The Grounds Guys® location nearest you, and let a lawn care expert do the work!

How to Get Rid of Grubs in a Lawn

Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of how to get rid of grubs in gardens and lawns. We’ll cover how to treat grubs in lawns using various methods. Of course, the goal is to learn how to kill grubs in lawns before they completely transform your grass into a barren wasteland.

Step 1: Conduct a Thorough Lawn Evaluation

Be sure that grubs are the cause of brown patches. You can dig up a section of your lawn and look for grubs.

Step 2: Select an Appropriate Grub Control Strategy

Let's look at how to treat grubs in lawns. You can go the route of using chemicals, but they can hurt pollinators, pollute groundwater, poison pets and children, or kill beneficial insects. Organic methods can kill grubs in lawns, too. Try neem oil or beneficial nematodes, or find a way to attract more birds.

Step 3: Implement The Chosen Control Method

Apply your chosen method, but remember to overlap passes and work in sections. Make sure to start at the perimeter and always cover the entire lawn. Spread it evenly, and make sure to put a little extra in infested areas. Once you’re done, keep a record of it so you can come back to it when needed.

Step 4: Ensure Adequate Soil Moisture

Soak your lawn immediately after you apply your chosen treatment. Giving your lawn a nice watering allows your chosen treatment to fully penetrate the soil.

Step 5: Minimize Activity in the Treated Area

After you’ve applied the chosen treatment, try not to disturb the area for a few days. You want the treated area to be completely dry.

Step 6: Reapply the Treatment as Necessary

One of the key aspects of learning how to get rid of grubs in the lawn is always to pay close attention. Look for any grub activity. If you notice grubs, it’s ok. You might have to reapply your grub control method until they’re gone completely.

Need Professional Help? Contact Us for Grub-Free Lawn Solutions!

Learning how to get rid of grubs in the lawn can take some time. The Grounds Guys can help. We provide free estimates, and our lawn care experts stand by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, guaranteeing your satisfaction. Contact us today!