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How To Check For Lawn Grubs

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Apply Grub Control Pesticide

How to check your lawn if you think you have lawn grubs

Grub control insecticides that contain bifenthrin, imidacloprid, or carbaryl are very effective at killing grubs in an already established lawn. Insecticides containing these active ingredients such as GrubEx, Merit, and Sevin are mostly systemic and kill when they come in contact with the grub worms.

There are liquid grub killers and granular grub killers on the market. Therefore, to get rid of grubs in your lawn, do the following:

  • For granular pesticides, apply using the regular garden spreader and water the treatment into the soil to kill the grubs.
  • For liquid grub killers, mix with water according to the label and spray the infested areas thoroughly to ensure the pesticide goes deep into the soil.

It is important to choose the best, most effective grub killer for this purpose. Scotts GrubEx is one of the industrys most trusted grubworm destroyers.

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Timing is key

When using a pesticide to control grubs, you have two options: a grub preventer, or a grub killer.

Grub killers act almost immediately, meaning you need to apply them as soon as you see lawn damage from grub worm activity. But for grub preventers, they have a lasting effect and mostly prevent grubs from the next season.

As such, make sure you apply grub control at the right time as per this guide and the label of the insecticide youre using.

Use Neem Oil Or Azadirachtin

Azadirachtin is a component of neem oil. While many people think neem oil and Azadirachtin are the same things, neem oil contains very little Azadirachtin.

As such, people usually buy concentrated Azadirachtin to use on their lawns. According to one study, Azadirachtin application on Kentucky bluegrass killed Japanese beetles at 5x the products label rate.

Neem oil is another pest control option. Pure neem oil deters the grubs from feeding, growing, and laying eggs. For best results, mix neem oil with water and spray the diluted solution on affected areas.

Pros: Both options are affordable Azadirachtin is classified by the EPA as relatively non-toxic , while neem oil is considered non-toxic, which means it wont harm people or non-target organisms.

Cons: Both neem oil and Azadirachtin require regular reapplication despite its efficacy at killing larval Japanese beetles, Azadirachtin wont kill mature beetles or deter them from laying eggs.

What Do Grubs Look Like

You likely wont see grubs unless you go digging since they live beneath the surface. They are the larvae of Japanese beetles and are white in color with brown heads. Up to one inch in length, they look a bit like caterpillars. Their parents, the adult beetles, deposit their eggs beneath the surface of the soil so when they hatch and turn into grubs, they can use the roots of your turfgrass as food. When these grubs reach adulthood, they no longer look like caterpillars and instead look like beetles with metallic green heads and bodies. The adult beetles will dine on the grass above the surface while their larvae destroy it from below, which is why being proactive and calling your pest control service is so important.

Grubs and their adult parents create a two-front battleground for your grass, and if you dont do something about it, you could have extensive lawn damage. Unfortunately, many homeowners dont realize that the garden-variety beetles they see are actually producing the dreaded lawn grubs. Our experts will help you identify if youve got a grub problem on your hands.

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What Chemical Products Can I Use To Control Grubs In My Lawn

If you have a severe grub infestation and want to use a chemical product to control grubs, you have a number of widely available options.

From about late April into early June, you can effectively use a product with the active ingredient chlorantraniliprole to control all species of white grubs we have in New Hampshire. This chemical also controls caterpillars such as webworms and armyworms. This product is most effective when the grub is actively feeding so applying it 2 to 3 months in advance of severe grub feeding from June to August is recommended. This ingredient is in two widely available products: GrubEx® and Roundup® For Lawns Bug Destroyer. The U.S. EPA designates this chemical as a low risk pesticide due to its low toxicity to bees and other beneficial insects.

Some products registered for controlling grubs just have a pyrethroid, such as products with the active ingredient Gamma-Cyhalothrin, commonly found in the Spectracide® Triazicide® Insect Killer For Lawns. According to research from Michigan State University, products that only contain lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin or permethrin do not work for grub control.

In most cases, whether its early spring or fall, its preferable to simply wait until the next appropriate window for using a preventative product that gets better results and is more targeted. Learn more about current insecticide approaches for white grubs from UMass Extension.

How Can I Control Grubs While Protecting Bees And Other Pollinators

How to Check for Lawn Grubs · Shades of Green Lawn &  Landscape

Before applying any insecticides, the lawn should be mowed prior to application so there arent weeds flowering in the lawn while the product is being applied.

Also be conscious of drift. If its windy and you spray an area of your lawn, theres a chance the product could drift onto flowering plants nearby. Likewise, if youre using a spreader for a granular product, ensure you limit your application to lawn areas that have been mowed and do have a grub infestation.

Theres little reason to apply any of these products to your entire lawn if only a section of the lawn has a grub infestation. Only use chemicals to control grubs if necessary, and always follow all instructions on the label.

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Best Chemical Solutions To Getting Rid Of Grubs In Your Lawn

Most natural solutions to grub infestations take time, and some homeowners understandably want faster results. Some chemical insecticides can kill grub populations, and they have the added benefit of controlling other insects as well.

  • Curative Chemical Treatments:Curative chemical treatments typically contain two active chemicals: trichlorfon and carbaryl. These chemicals kill grubs in all life stages, and they can be up to 80% effective. Water your lawn before and after applying it for the best results, and use the chemicals to the affected areas with a spreader. These grub killers are most effective in early fall, but a late spring treatment can be an excellent preventative measure.
  • Preventative Chemical Treatments:Preventative chemicals are precisely what they sound like: they kill off eggs and immature larvae, but they dont work well on mature lawn grubs. They typically contain imidacloprid, and they are best to use in early summer June or July is ideal but late summer can work as well. These preventative products can stop future grub generations from appearing on your property. Water your lawn with a sprinkler immediately after application for the best results.
  • How To Get Rid Of Grubs In Your Lawn

    Biological Control

    Beneficial Nematodes

    • Mix with water
    • Apply to a damp lawn
    • Leave them to do their job

    Milky Spore

    Botanical Pesticides

    Insecticidal Soaps

    Synthetic Chemical Pesticide

    Important warning when applying chemical pesticides

    • Always read the label carefully before using a pesticide. It is there to keep you, your family and pets safe.
    • Follow the instructions exactly as indicated on the label. They are there for a reason.
    • Wear protective clothing
    • Dispose of containers and leftovers in a safe manner.
    • Keep children and pets away from any pesticides you have stored.

    Scotts Grub-ExBayer Advance Grub KillerSevinStore Brand

    Preventive Measures

    Practicing good lawn care maintenance

    • Remember to mow high .
    • Overseed your lawn to keep it thick. Japanese beetles prefer to lay eggs in sparse thin lawns.
    • Water your grass less often and deeply. This promotes deep root growth. The eggs need plenty of moisture to hatch. Dont over water your grass.

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    Best Recommended Company For Grub Control And Prevention

    Grub control can be confusing and time-consuming for many homeowners, and some find the waiting period concerning because you wont know if the treatment has worked for several years in some cases. Hiring a professional lawn care company to handle your treatments is often a better idea and yields faster, guaranteed results.

    We strongly recommend TruGreen as a professional lawn maintenance company. It provides a huge array of services to help remove grubs and other insects and keep your lawn and property looking beautiful and lush. Its prices are reasonable, its results are based on a soil test and science, and it guarantees your satisfaction. Check out TruGreens plans and services to find one that works for you.

    Read our TruGreen Review to learn more about its services.

    • Large variety of plan options tailored to homeowners wants and needs
    • All services are backed and performed by TruExpert Certified Specialists
    • Services provided in 49 states

    our rating9.5

    Signs Of Grubs In Your Yard

    How to Check for Lawn Grubs

    Noticing sponginess after watering your lawn? Finding brown patches in the middle of green? Grubs do their damage by eating the roots of your grass. With how rapidly grubs can spread, this can become an issue – fast. The presence of grubs can also bring along other problems. Birds, raccoons, and moles are just a few animals that are attracted to grubs because they eat them. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that they’ll just eat the grubs and kill them for you. While theyre looking for the grubs, theyll tear up your grass in the process.

    Often times, grubs will have become a problem before you even spot them. Their eggs are typically laid late summer, and after hatching, they begin feasting. The grubs feed all throughout the fall. If you dont catch them when they start doing damage, you may end up having dead patches until next season. With this in mind, its better to inspect your lawn or call a professional earlier rather than later if you think you might have a grub problem.

    If you are still unsure if youre dealing with grubs,

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    How To Get Rid Of Lawn Grubs

    Lawn grubs are pale white, squirmy larvae that can destroy your lawn from the ground up, munching on roots until your grass dies off. These pests are a natural part of the ecosystem, so if you just have a few, theres no need to worry. However, if youre finding a lot of grubs, you need to eliminate them immediately to avoid damage to your lawn.

    How To Check Your Lawn For Grubs

  • First use a spade to remove a square foot area of your sod. Dig about three inches in depth, and you should begin cutting it from the middle of one of the brown patches youve noticed.
  • Spend time looking through this piece of sod, checking for larvae. The larvae will look like a C in shape and are a light white in color. They might be between a half an inch and a full inch long.
  • If there are at least five grubs in the square foot of sod you check, you probably have a problem with grubs that will require treatment.
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    Lawn Pests Are No Match For Shades Of Green Lawn & Landscape

    We offer grub control services and know just how to keep this pest from harming your lawn. If youre ready to prevent grubs and have your greenest yard yet, check out our Lawn Care Packages. We have four different options so there is something for every lawn and wallet. Simply call us today at 765-771-9998 for a free quote and to schedule a service.

    How Do I Know If I Have Grubs

    How to Determine if a Lawn Has Grubs?

    Many lawn issues that resemble grub damage can be caused by something else, including disease, drought stress, hairy chinch bugs, sod webworms, shade, compaction, and more. In the early spring, for example, many homeowners suspect grub damage because of the condition of their lawn after snow melt.

    The only way to be sure that you have grubs is to scout for them in your lawn.

  • Using a shovel or a lawn edger, you can make a cut in a one-foot section of your lawn where you suspect grub activity.
  • Peel up a one square-foot section of grass and soil from that cut. If there is significant grub damage, the grass should peel up quite easily.
  • Sift around in the soil, simply counting how many grubs you find. If you count 10 or more grubs per square foot, you have a serious infestation. Finding a few grubs is normal and not cause for concern.
  • Replace the grass youve cut in short order to avoid any damage to the lawn.
  • Depending on the size of your lawn, you may want to scout for grubs in several places in the lawn. Just because there are a lot of grubs, or not a lot of grubs, in a particular square foot doesnt mean that the entire lawn either does or doesnt have a grub infestation. You can focus your scouting on areas of the lawn that are showing symptoms of grub feeding.

    As youre scouting for grubs in your lawn, take notes so you remember which areas of your lawn have high counts and which dont. This is important if and when you decide to treat the lawn.

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    How To Kill Or Control White Curl Grubs

    As the White Curl Grub is simply another type of Beetle larvae, the control of White Curl Grubs will be exactly the same as for any other Beetle infestation.

    This involves purchasing a Lawn Beetle and Grub Killer from the local nursery or online gardening store and following the directions on the packaging. In most cases this will involve sprinkling the pesticide granules over the lawn, followed by watering them into the soil.

    A spray kit is a fast and effective way to apply all your liquid lawn care products an easy-to-use option is the Solo 7L Manual Sprayer that comes with a quality pressure sprayer. Spray indicators such as Blazon allow you to clearly identify where you have applied the spray. myhomeTURF also recommends a surfactant such as the Wetter 600 to increase the activity and efficiency of liquid chemicals.

    Beneficial Nematodes Can Kill Other Soil Pests Too

    By inoculating your garden soil with beneficial nematodes, youre likely killing several birds with one stone! And by birds, I mean pests. The strain of beneficial nematodes we use can effectively control many other pests including: cutworms, fungus gnats, fire ants, weevils, root maggots, flea larvae, crane flies, white grubs, and many more!

    One study even showed that the beneficial nematodes also help reduce the population of root-knot nematodes in soil. We previously had an issue with root knot nematodes in our garden soil, and that has seemingly gone away with the grubs too! Other species of nematodes target different pests. For example, Steinernema carpocapsae Is great for organic flea control. As discussed in our introduction to organic pest control series, it is always important to identify your garden pests before acting.

    If you have a pet, dont fret! Beneficial nematodes are not harmful to anything except their target pest species. They will not harm mammals, aquatic life, birds, reptiles or amphibians. When applied correctly, beneficial nematodes should not negatively impact beneficial insects such as ladybugs, who have very different above-ground life cycles. They do not harm earthworms either!

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    What Causes Grubs In Lawn

    Grubs thrive in a lawn thats devoid of beneficial nematodes. Artificial fertilizers kill beneficial nematodes. Grubs are also attracted to wet lawns in the summer.

    Grubs are not only ugly, but they also cause great damage to a lawn. You need to get rid of them as soon as you notice the early signs.

    How do you identify grub presence in your lawn early? How to get rid of grubs naturally? Are there any pet-safe ways to achieve this?

    I try to answer all such questions in this article. So, be with me till the end, and hopefully, you get what you came for.

    How Do I Prevent Grubs In My Lawn

    How to detect Grubs in your grass

    I always advise people to take preventative measures rather than treating them later. Below are some means to prevent grubs in the lawn.

    • Use beneficial nematodes along with Milky spore disease. This process may take a year or two but prevents further infections.
    • Do not use artificial fertilizers to feed your lawn as it kills the beneficial nematodes. Use only organic fertilizer.

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    Encourage Birds To Hang Out In Your Yard

    Birds love to dine on grubs, so if you do not mind birds digging around in your flowerbeds or lawn, invite more of them to hang out in your yard. You can attract birds with bird feeders, bird baths and bird houses. To learn more about attracting birds to your yard, read Learn the Secrets of Attracting Birds to Your Backyard.

    If you dig up grubs, you can also scatter them on top of the ground to encourage birds to eat them. Just know that any that are not snatched up by hungry birds will burrow back into the soil.

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