Grub Control: Protecting Your Lawn from Underground Damage

Understanding White Grubs

White grubs are beetle larvae that feed on grass roots 1-3 inches below the soil surface. Japanese beetles, June bugs, and chafer beetles all produce grubs that can devastate lawns. A single grub causes minimal damage, but populations of 6-10 per square foot destroy turf rapidly.

Identifying Grub Damage

Grub damage appears as irregular brown patches that feel spongy when walked on. The turf peels back easily like carpet because roots have been eaten away. Damage often appears in late summer or early fall when grubs are largest and feeding most actively.

• Brown patches that appear in late summer despite adequate water
• Turf that rolls back easily, revealing severed roots
• Increased bird, skunk, or raccoon activity digging in your lawn
• C-shaped white grubs visible when you pull back damaged turf

Prevention vs. Curative Treatment

Preventive grub control applied in late spring or early summer stops grubs before they hatch. These treatments are more effective and less expensive than curative applications, which must use stronger products to kill established grub populations.

"Preventive grub control is like insurance—you pay a little upfront to avoid paying a lot later. It's always more cost-effective than repairing grub damage."

Best Treatment Timing

Apply preventive grub control in late June or early July before eggs hatch. If you miss the prevention window and find active grubs, curative treatments work best in late August through September when grubs are small and closer to the surface.

Repairing Grub Damage

Damaged areas need overseeding once grubs are controlled. Prepare bare spots by loosening soil, applying seed, and keeping the area consistently moist. Consider slice-seeding for larger affected areas to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and establishment.