How to manage grubs in your lawn: Best practices for grub control

A lush and healthy lawn is a top priority for homeowners and gardeners. A green, vibrant lawn enhances a home’s curb appeal and forms the perfect backdrop for outdoor entertaining. But it takes more than watering and mowing to attain it. Insects such as grubs or their larvae can often damage a lawn severely.

There are few pests that are more stubborn and devastating than lawn grubs. They chew on grass roots, resulting in brown spots, and even a dead area. Grubs are a pest you face over and over, especially in states like Florida which have warm temperatures year-round.

Growcycle offers top-quality grub control products to keep lawns healthy and green. This article will explain how to identify grubs in a lawn and how to control them. Homeowners will learn everything, from chemical treatments to natural remedies, about how to protect their lawns and keep them looking good.

What are Grubs?

Grubs are not insects, but rather the larvae of many different beetles, such as European chafers, Japanese beetles and June beetles. The little buggers have soft, white bodies and two legs close to their heads. They curl their body into the shape of a C when they are frightened. These tiny pests eat the roots of grasses and of other plants and live below the soil for most of their life.

As the weather heats up, grubs that overwinter ascend as well. In spring and early summer, they eat plants, destroy plants, and consume sprouted seeds and foliage. When grubs develop into adult beetles, they emerge from the ground to mate and lay their eggs.

These beetles will only live one to three years. In July and August, they lay their eggs near their feeding sites, yielding new larvae which dig into the soil and graze on grass, perpetuating the cycle.

Signs of Grub Damage on the Lawn

There are several obvious indications of urns infestation in lawns, and some of the salient ones are:

Chlorosis: Grass turns yellow and spongy as grubs consume turfgrass roots. You can pull it, and it sort of unrolls like a carpet.

Infestation of Other Pests: Grubs are a major food source for skunks, raccoons, and other pests that dig through lawns in pursuit of them. This application may cause lawns to become unsightly due to the arena's oil and even cellular turf damage. Fixing this damage can take just as much money and time as grub damage.

Presence of Drought: With grubs, your lawn seems to be thirsty despite being watered constantly. Drought is commonly caused by grub damage, but cannot be remedied by more watering.

Growing Number of Beetles or Moths: If you have noticed large numbers of moths or beetles flying around at ground level, chances are good that the lawns have an issue with grubs. However, by the time these beetles or moths are seen, it is too late, as they are a sign that a grub infestation may be in progress.

White Grubs: Cut a square foot of turf with a spade, about 2-4 inches deep. Pull back the square to examine the dirt beneath. If there are grubs beneath it, there must be an infestation.

Brown and Patchy Grass: In case of grub infestation, the grass will become spotty and brown before it starts to yellow and pull up. This damage will appear patchy throughout the turf.

Steps to Check for Grubs in The Lawn

Suspicions of a grub infestation can be easily confirmed by inspecting the lawn. Here's how to do a grub check:

How Harmful are Grubs to the Lawn?

The larvae or immature form of numerous beetle and chafer species, grubs, can damage a lawn by eating the grass roots. All grass can tolerate some level of grub damage, but healthier grass can tolerate more. Grub infestations result in weak patches of turf, which get worse over time. Lawn damaged by grubs can be lifted easily.

Homeowners see molehills and skunk holes, and notice ravens, if they live in rural settings, or raccoons, if in the suburbs, digging in their lawns. But it is not a good key because grub infestations are infrequently associated with animal damage, and animal damage is only infrequently the result of a grub infestation. These creatures also eat other bugs living in the grass, such as earthworms, which are good for the health of your lawn.

Best Practices to Get Rid of Grubs from Lawn

It is quite confusing and irritating to control the grubs in lawns; however, with the help of some effective grub control solutions, gardeners can vanquish them and make their lawn healthy. Adopting these best practices can help eliminate grubs and keep them away in the future.

1. Natural Methods

The best way to manage grubs is through naturally occurring means. Any of the following methods can be employed by gardeners or by homeowners.

• Predators

Grubs have plenty of natural enemies. Some predators, such as raccoons and moles, will damage the turf; others will not. For example, robins, bluejays, and chickadees are birds who love grubs and will eat them all day long. Also, backyard chickens can range in the yard or on the lawn and eat grubs.

If you want to try birds as free natural grub control, here are some additional items and how to attract the avian pest control. Or simply decorate with birdhouses, birdbaths, and feeders. This will attract the right kind of birds and reduce the number of grubs in your yard.

• Milky Spore

Milky spore is a bacterium that infects the larvae of Japanese beetles. Milky spores are an organic, safe, and eco-friendly way to control the white grubs. One can pick up a milky spore at a Home Depot, for instance, and then sprinkle it on their lawn with a cheap milky spore dispenser.

Using the milky spore powder a couple of times a year for two to three years will ensure full protection. After the treatment, the milky spore will serve as natural pest control for 15-20 years. It’s also important to remember that milky spores only multiply in soil that holds the parasites.

• Nematodes

Tiny parasitic worms called nematodes can be used to control a number of garden pests, such as grubs. They are promoted with milky spore disease, since they are safe and pet-friendly.

The ideal way to apply nematodes is when they arrive after purchasing. Don't apply them in the sun since doing so may decrease their efficacy. Rather, use them in the early morning or late afternoon.

• Neem oil or Azadirachtin

Neem oil contains an ingredient called azadirachtin. Although neem oil and azadirachtin are sometimes confused, neem oil has a shallow concentration of azadirachtin. For this reason, individuals typically purchase concentrated Azadirachtin to apply to their lawns.

The pure neem oil will stop the grubs from growing, consuming, and breeding. Once you have mixed neem oil with water, spray the diluted solution onto the affected areas for best results. Even though neem oil and Azadirachtin work well, they must be reapplied often to be effective.

• Borax

One common household cleaning supply for killing grubs is borax. But keep in mind that borax has boron in it, which builds up in the soil and can, at high enough levels, kill the lawn. To make good use of borax, take one tablespoon and put it in a spray bottle with warm water. Apply the solution generously in a wide area where gardeners have noticed the grubs' activity.

• Dethatch and Aerate the Lawn

Grubs do not feed on disturbed and aerated lawns. In thatch and compressed, solid soil, they locate a thick cover. Therefore, dethatching and aerating the grass reduces the appeal of the area to the bugs. In addition, these methods aid in the entry of nematodes, milky spore disease, and other natural remedies through the lawn’s surface to get to the grubs.

2. Chemical Methods

Chemical solutions can be a faster route to control serious grub infestations if natural methods fail. There are different types of chemical treatments offered, and all of them work a bit differently.

• Insecticides

Insecticides are applied before the grubs hatch and start to damage the lawn. They are most effective in the late spring or early summer. These include imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole for preventive care.

• Granular and Liquid fertilizers

Two chemical treatments are available: liquid and granular. Granular products are easy to spread with a lawn spreader. Liquid fertilizers are more effective for prompt infestations, but should be administered with care to ensure even coverage.

3. Professional Help

And it’s probably also the safer bet to leave chemical treatments to the pros if gardeners need help applying them. There are many advantages to using professional lawn care services to control grubs. Professionals have a comprehensive understanding of insects and their life cycles, which enables them to address severe infestations quickly and effectively.

Professional service also inspects the lawn to check for the underlying causes of the problem with grubs. They offer tailored maintenance services to address the lawn's unique requirements, encouraging resilience and long-term health.

4. Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management, or IPM, uses multiple approaches to pests in an ecologically responsible way. For instance, IPM has proved effective at controlling populations of lawn grubs with less overall environmental damage.

IPM uses insecticides, physical, and biological methods to manage pests. By mixing targeted treatments, natural predators, and preventive tactics, it is possible to have healthier grass and rely less on chemical pesticides.

5. Seasonal Control

Grub control should be properly timed. Some things are served best by targeting grubs at certain times of the year when they are more active. They are most commonly active during late summer/early fall, and thus these time frames are critical for management. In the fall, grubs are close to the surface, eating grass roots with a vengeance. Now is the time to use both chemical and natural controls. Monitor the grass regularly during these periods to avoid infestations.

Grub feeding levels diminish in winter and early spring, so these periods are less critical for control. But it is still important to keep the grass healthy all year. Routine lawn care helps the grass recover and toughen up.

Top Grub Controlling Products

Chemical insecticides are the quickest way to ward off removing from the lawn or yard. Below are some highly recommended grub-controlling products.

1. Acelepryn Insecticide - Liquid Grub & Armyworm Control

Acelepryn Insecticide controls many lawn pests with strong, season-long power against grubs, armyworms, and billbugs. Its active ingredient is Chlorantraniliprole (18.4%), which ensures total protection with just one application, up to 22,000 square feet in a single 4 oz bottle.

This insecticide is environmentally friendly, safe for humans and pets, and beneficial for insects. Acelepryn works on all types of lawns and can protect them for up to three months. It is easy to use and targets pests before they grow into adults, helping to prevent lawn damage and protect the ecosystem. This product is perfect for homeowners and landscapers who want a healthy, pest-free lawn.

2. BioAdvanced- 24Hr Grub Control Gran

BioAdvanced 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus's systemic, non-neonic formula kills up to 5,000 sq ft of grubs within 24 hours. Including DYLOX (Trichlorfon) at a concentration of 9.3%, it also kills ants, chinch bugs, mole crickets, and many other insects.

This highly efficient granule has 50% more active ingredients and 33% less weight, covering the same area in a smaller, more convenient bag. Its easy storage makes it convenient for quick lawn rescue and effective pest control.

3. HiYield Grub-Free Zone

Hi-Yield Grub Free-Zone is a highly toxic insecticide that employs 0.5% Imidacloprid to control white grubs before they can damage the lawn. It also controls pests such as mole crickets, larvae of the European Crane Fly, Green June Beetles, Billbugs, and many more.

Ideally, this product should be applied before the grubs hatch. Once used, sufficient watering of the lawn forces the active ingredient through the thatch and into the soil, where it will carry out its job. Covering up to 25,000 square feet, Hi-Yield Grub Free Zone III is a reliable solution that will keep the lawn pest-free all season long and helps keep grass in the best possible condition for growth.

4. Bonide 5m Annual Grub Beater

The Bonide Annual Grub Beater is great for protecting lawns from damaging grubs and other harmful insects. With just one application each year, it provides long-lasting protection against grubs, making it a simple solution for lawn care. This product kills grubs and targets other pests like European Crane Fly larvae and mole crickets, which can harm the lawn. It can be applied anytime from spring to summer, allowing users to choose when to use it.

This 6lb bag of granules can cover up to 5,000 square feet, ensuring the safety of the lawn. Whether gardeners have an active infestation or wish never to have one, an application will ensure the lawn is safe and sound from these pillaging pests throughout the season.

Tips to Get Rid of Grubs

 Here are a few easy measures to remove grubs and maintain a healthy lawn:

1. Make Sure Grubs Are Actually the Problem

Before doing anything, you will want to make sure that grubs are the root of your lawn issues. Signs to watch for include patches of dead grass that come up easily from the soil, exposing white, C-shaped larvae underneath..

2. Avoid Pesticide When Possible

Pesticides should be avoided whenever possible. Pesticides can also kill beneficial insects and have a wider impact on the environment. One should try another method and use a pesticide only if necessary.

3. Check the Active Ingredients

Look at the list of active ingredients when choosing a treatment to make sure it is effective at targeting grubs. There are plenty of products with active ingredients such as imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole on the market.

4. Water Immediately

Always water the garden straight after treating it. This allows the product to work its way into the soil and to the grubs and be more efficient.

5. Consider All-Natural Grub Solutions

Natural methods, including neem oil, milky spore, and beneficial nematodes, can be used to manage grub populations without the use of dangerous chemicals.

6. Use Products at the Right Rate and Volume

Ensure that the application rate and volume follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Too much use can hurt the lawn, while too little might not control grubs adequately.

Common Myths About Grub Control

There are a couple of grub control myths that can lead to treatments lacking efficiency and infestations being kept around. And know the truth to better care for your lawn.

• Grubs are Visible: Just because you can’t see your grubs doesn’t mean they aren’t there! The truth is that grubs eat roots and live primarily beneath the surface. They only come to the surface to feed at certain stages.
• Only Chemical Methods Work: Chemical treatments are helpful, but do not apply in all situations. Biological controls and cultural practices that are less harmful to the environment can also be used to control grub populations.
• Grub Damage to lawn instantly: Grub damage tends to build up over time. However, gardeners may wait to see the damage if the grubs feed on the grass.

The Bottom Line

And managing grubs is significant for keeping the grass green and vibrant. Gardeners and homeowners can despair less about grubs once they know what they are and how to spot the damage they cause. Grubs can be repelled from the lawn in a number of ways:

• natural methods
• chemical treatments
• preventive measures

The predators, nematodes, and birds can help keep grubs at bay. Chemical treatments may also be applied to kill grubs, but they must be used conscientiously. Growcycle delivers great products, such as lawn fertilizers and insecticides to kill grubs in the soil and keep the lawn healthy and lush!

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.