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How To Control Lawn Grubs

If you have raised several concerns about lawn grubs and how you can control them, read on. Late summer and into the first part of autumn is the time white grub problems are most likely to show in lawns in the northern states. In a given year, lawn grubs will cause damage to a relatively small percentage of lawns, but if you have a substantial grub population they can easily and quickly devastate you turf.

How Can You Discover If Your Turf Has Lawn Grubs?

Lawn grubs hide below your grass and they feed on the turf roots, causing wilting and irregular brown areas to appear in your lawn. However, in late summer, there can be countless other reasons why your lawn will turn brown.

Always inspect the root zone of affected areas for the white, grubs. Carefully pull back the sod in suspect areas, and in particular the marginal areas where brown grass joins the green, healthy grass, and look for the grubs. If you locate grubs in these areas, take a count of the grubs. If you have more than 10 to 12 lawn grubs per square foot, it can lead to lawn browning.

Keep in mind other factors that can lead to poor turf rooting and are commonly mistaken for grubs. One classic area that can be mistaken for lawn grubs is shady areas, as the roots are typically shallow rooted, and can be lifted very easily. Lawn grubs generally only appear in sunny turf areas.

Another mistaken lawn grub condition is in early spring when turf can easily be lifted. As grass areas die, the root structure rots and the turf can easily be lifted. Do not try to diagnose grub damage in the spring from the previous season's damage as this is very complicated to do, even if you have dead turf and minimal root structure.

Another sign of grubs is damage from skunks and raccoons digging up lawns at night, in search of their favorite food - the lawn grubs. If you have a mole problem in addition to dead turf areas, it is likely you have a lawn grub problem, but this is not an absolute indication.

Why do lawn grubs affect various lawns in a neighborhood and not others.

The adult stage of the lawn grub is the Japanese Beetle, which can fly. So as you an see, if the beetles fly into your yard it is through random chance. Also keep in mind that these beetles prefer to lay their eggs in full-sun turf areas that are well watered. Normally these eggs are laid in the month of July. So if you have been watering your lawn during a dry spell and your neighbors have not, you are a probable target for the beetle.

If There Any Way To Tell If You Will Have Lawn Grubs?

One very clear indication is if you discover a ton of beetles on your turf during the month of July. Also if around sundown or shortly after sundown, you see active tan beetles, these are adult white grubs called Masked Chafers. You will discover Japanese beetles active during the daytime hours and they typically feed of ornamental plants. Make sure you keep an eye on your turf from about mid-August through September. Watch for browning and wilting turf areas, and be sure you inspect the affected turf root zone for grubs.

Can You Prevent Lawn Grubs?

You have some options to consider. One of the extreme options is to stop watering your lawn during the month of July. This will deter beetles from laying their eggs in your lawn. Of course the downside of this method is the turf is brown during the middle of summer, but it is just dormant and not dead.

An alternative approach is to use the preemptive approach method. This is an ideal approach if you or your neighbors have had a history of lawn grub damage.

What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Lawn Grubs?

One of the most beneficial methods to protect your turf against an infestation of lawn grubs is by the application of a organic, bacterial product. While poisons will certainly do the job, you are introducing unhealthy conditions to your family, pets, and especially to the local song bird population. The preferred control is a product called Milky Spore, and controls the lawn grubs for up to 10 to 12 years.

How Do You Restore Your Lawn?

If you have had some significant grub damage due to lawn grub infestations, you will need to employ various restoration methods. Your first step in turf restoration would be to take a rake and clean up all of the dead debris. Water the lawn area, as some of the grass with damaged roots may recover, particularly if the weather cools down. Areas that are entirely bare, or are severely thinning may need reseeding. About the best time of year to target lawn restoration is when the nights become cooler. This frequently coincides with Labor Day in most parts of the country with grub problems.

Article Source: GardenGap.com

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To learn more about problems with lawn grubs, be sure to visit our article Lawn Grubs. For additional lawn care tips and techniques, be sure to visit our site Green Living Made Easy for everyday simple tips for the green homeowner.