Identifying Lawn Grubs
Concerns are often raised about white grubs in lawns and ways to handle them. The later part of summer and into early fall is the time white grub problems are most probable to show in lawns in the northern states. Although various lawns may be spared the damage, this insect can devastate your lawn in a short period of time.
Lawn Grubs - How Do You Know If You Have Them?
Since lawn grubs, more accurately called white grubs, feed on the root structure of your grass. Infected lawns will show browning and wilting in irregular shaped areas. Even though you may have brown spots in your turf, it does not inevitably mean you have lawn grubs.
A sure-fire way to find out if you have a grub problem is to inspect the root zone for the classic "C-Shaped" grubs. It is best to check marginal areas where the brown grass meets the healthy grass.
Pull back the turf in a couple of these areas. 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 will lead to lawn browning.
Also, you ought to know that there are other conditions that can lead to turf wilting and browning. Shady area turf is typically shallow rooted and can be lifted very easily. Grubs do not commonly appear in shade lawns.
Also, many lawns were easily pulled up in the early spring and grubs were blamed. Once grass dies, regardless of the cause, roots will rot away and the grass is very simple to tear out. Do not try to diagnose grub damage in the spring from the previous season's damage as this is very difficult to do, even if you have dead turf and minimal root structure.
Another way to determine if you have lawn grubs is if you have skunks or raccoons digging your turf up overnight looking for grubs, which is a food source for them. If you have a mole problem in addition to dead turf areas, it is probable you have a lawn grub problem, but this is not an absolute indication.
Why do lawn grubs affect some lawns in a neighborhood and not others?
Keep in mind the adult stage of the grub life cycle is a beetle, which can fly. So as you an see, if the beetles fly into your yard is is by means of random chance.
The preferred areas that the adult beetles lay their eggs is well-watered, full-sun turf areas. July is commonly the month that these eggs are laid. 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.
Can You Predict If You Will Have Lawn Grubs?
It is complicated, and many factors influence the chances of grubs appearing in your lawn. A very distinct indication is by spotting Japanese beetles in your lawn during July.
Another indication is by spotting Masked Chafers, which are the adult of the annual white grub. They are frequently active around or shortly after sundown.
Additionally, if you notice Masked Chafers, a tan beetle and the adult of the annual white grub, active after or around sundown.
Starting in mid-August and continuing on through the month of September, keep an eye on your turf for browning and wilted turf. Also inspect the root zone of affected areas.
How Can You Prevent Damage From Lawn Grubs?
You have some options to consider. One option is to let your lawn go dormant during the month of July. Since the beetles are looking for well-watered lawns to lay their eggs, this will deter them. This of course has a downside of a brown lawn in the middle of summer.
Another option for you is to use a preemptive grub control substance. You ought to use this approach if there have been known infestations of lawn grubs in your lawn or your neighbors lawns.
What Is The Most Beneficial Way To Get Rid Of Lawn Grubs?
Probably the best preemptive measure is the application of an organic bacterial powder on your turf. While poisons will certainly do the job, you are introducing unhealthy circumstances to your family, pets and particularly to the local song bird population. One of the most beneficial treatments is Milky Spore and can control lawn grubs for up to 10 years if applied correctly.
How Can You Repair Your Lawn After Damage?
In order to bring life back to a grub infested turf, you ought to employ various lawn restoration techniques.
First of all, be sure to rake up all the dead debris.
Next as the temperatures begin to cool in the fall, be sure to thoroughly irrigate the damaged turf areas. This may cause some of the damaged root zones to recover.
If you encounter areas that don't recover or are totally bare or very thin, you ought to reseed these areas.
While the exact time you attempt restoration varies by means of you location, if you live in the colder sections of the country, Labor Day is a good target date.
To learn more about Lawn Grubs, visit our article Lawn Grubs. An additional Grub Control article you may be interested in may be Controlling Lawn Grubs.
