Its grub season and you may be starting to notice these pesky creatures overtaking your lawn. Grubs are the larvae of scarab type beetles, such as Japanese beetles or June bugs. These larvae feed on the roots of grasses and other plants, whereas the beetles feed on the leaves of plants. In the late summer and fall, the adults of this species lay their eggs in your lawn and the larvae survives on eating organic matter such as roots throughout the winter and early spring. They begin to emerge late spring and summer where the grubs enter their pupae stage, soon maturing into adult beetles leaving the soil in June, hence the name “June bugs.”
After consuming your precious vegetable, herb, fruit and flower gardens, they breed and produce a new batch of eggs that they lay in the soil and the cycle starts again for next year.
A small population of these grubs are generally not a big issue and little needs to be done to keep them at bay. A “small” population of grubs is considered to be less than 5 grubs per square foot of lawn, and won’t destroy your grass, but if there are 10 or more per square foot-that’s trouble.
Grubs are bad for your yard because they decimate your precious plants and lawn by consuming and destroying the root systems of these plants. When the root systems are destroyed by grubs, the plants are unable to get the water and nutrients they need to survive which is what eventually kills them. Another reason they’re horrible for your lawn is that a host of other animals such as birds, raccoons and other grub lovers will dig up your yard in search of this large population of grubs to eat. Although they are technically helping keep the population of grubs down, they destroy your property in the process which can be frustrating.
How do I know if I have a grub problem? We’re glad you asked.
Many homeowners find out they have grubs in their yard as they are digging up the soil to plant their gardens for the season. Some people start noticing that critters are tearing up their lawns and watching birds or other critters flying or running away with a juicy grub or two in their mouths. For others, they may experience “spongy,” spots in the lawn that ultimately turn into brown spots if left unchecked. These patches of funky grass are frequently found in spring or late summer to early fall which are the seasons the invaders are most active. Throughout the winter, the larvae will burrow further into the ground and move back towards the top as the weather warms up and they emerge as beetles.
If you suspect you may have a grub invasion, one of the simplest ways to find out is to pull up the brown patches in your lawn. If the patches peel away from the soil easily, this can mean the root system of that grass or plant has been damaged and you likely have a grub problem.
You have grubs or want to prevent them. Now what?
There are many natural ways to get rid of grubs that are safe for you, your family, your pets, and other critters you may be sharing your property with such as birds, bees and other beneficial animals like toads or snakes that eat problem bugs or other vermin. It’s best to use the most natural approach possible, helping prevent further harm to your surroundings and community and balancing the needs of both your lawn and the other creatures you share the environment with.
When you do decide you’re ready to treat your lawn for grubs, it’s best to begin in the mid-summer and fall because during this time, as we learned above, the grubs will be newly hatched and near the surface of the soil and starting to feed. The least ideal time to try and treat a grub problem is in the winter because the grubs will be further underground and the treatments will be far less effective. The adult beetles of these grubs will come back year after year to start their broods again. NOTE: If you have a large population of grubs, it can take a few years to get the population under control through treatment! Do not get discouraged if they don’t all go away suddenly in one season!
Ready? Let’s talk about natural and safe treatments.
1. Encourage birds to hang out in your yard! - Birds are great grub control because they love to eat them. If you don’t mind birds digging up your flowerbeds, gardens, or lawns, invite more of them to spend time in your lawn. You can attract birds with nest boxes, feeders and bird baths. If you don’t mind digging in the dirt or if you come across a few grubs as your prepping your garden, go ahead and grab an old bowl or dish and put the grubs in them so the birds can access them more easily and eat them right up.
2. Chickens- Chickens are wonderful for many reasons beyond producing eggs. If you have a small backyard flock that you allow to free range, let them loose on the grubs! Chickens love to dig around and eat all the bugs they find and grubs are some of their favorite entrees. Alternatively, if you aren’t able to let your chickens’ free range, you can do the same thing you did for the wild birds and dig grubs up yourself or as you come across them in your garden, throw them to the chickens. They’ll thank you for it.
3. Limit irrigation and watering of your lawn- grubs need moisture to survive, just as any other living creature. If you can, limit watering of your lawn and that can contribute to shrinking the population currently residing on your property. Not only can limiting watering get rid of grubs, it can lower your water bill too.
4. Introduce beneficial Nematodes- Nematodes are microscopic, parasitic worms that can contribute to the eradication of many garden pests, including grubs. They are often used with a natural disease called “Milky Spore” to help reduce grub populations. These nematodes are not parasitic to humans, pets or other critters so they are a safe alternative to more intensive treatments that contain chemicals. If you go the nematode route, keep in mind that they are living creatures and care must be taken when purchasing and distributing them. That’s why it’s important to buy them from a reputable, trusted, and known distributor that can ensure they are alive and are not past an expiry date. NOTE: For nematodes to be effective, they must be applied once or twice each year to establish a healthy population of them. It can take a few years to see great benefits, so again, don’t get discouraged if grubs aren’t entirely eliminated from your lawn the first year or so after you've treated your yard with them!
5. Treat with “Milky Spore”- Milky Spore is a pathogen that only affects Japanese beetle grubs. It is a type of bacteria that infects and kills these grubs, and is not harmful to your family, pets, or other helpful critters around your home. While not recommended for colder areas as it needs a specific soil temperature to germinate effectively, it should work well in warmer climates such as where we’re located in the southeast, where soil temperatures are regularly 60-70 degrees throughout the year. It should be only be used in the fall as it is most effective while the grubs are actively feeding. NOTE: Milky spore is not a quick fix and can take several years to establish itself on your property, however, once it is established it can control the Japanese Beetle population on your property for up to 10-15 years, making it a worthwhile consideration for long term use.
There you have it, 5 effective methods for controlling the grub population in your lawn. For more information on ways to protect your lawn from grubs, check out this blog article here.
As part of the services we offer, most notably our premier turf care program, we offer grub treatments “a la carte” to help your lawn be at its best and allow you years of enjoyment. If you’re ready to book a service, check out our contact page to set up a consultation.