Don’t you just love an aptly named creature? Although we definitely don’t love grubs, we can all agree those grubby little grubs were perfectly named. When grubs infest your yard, they literally grub your grass and cause damage that can range from bad to nightmare.
Grubs cause unusual and unique damage because they feed on and damage grass underground at the root level. When its root system is compromised, your lawn can’t sufficiently intake water and nutrients. Grass can’t thrive under such conditions.
If you’re concerned that you have grubs grubbing up your yard, then take a look at our list of signs below to confirm or deny your suspicions.
1. Are there moths or beetles flying around grass level?
Have you noticed beetles hanging out on your lawn? White grubs are actually the larval stage of beetles. Although several species of beetles may hover over your yard, the harmful larval grubs that eat your grass do mature into beetles.
These mature grubs/beetles will then fly over your lawn, searching for a place to lay their eggs and continue the cycle of egg to grub to beetle.
So, although seeing beetles is not a sure-fire sign that you have a grub problem in your lawn, it could indicate that one is imminent. These beetles search for healthy lawns to lay their eggs to ensure their babies will have food. Then down the line, those babies grow into the larval grubs that destroy lawns.
If you notice beetles or moths flying around, keep an eye out for further signs that grubs may be attacking your grass. Or you can contact a local pest control company to inspect and treat your lawn before any potential grub problem gets out of hand.
2. Are animals hanging out and feeding in your grass?
Have you noticed an increase in animal activity in your yard? This could be a sign that animals are attracted to a grub population growing in your yard. Animals such as raccoons, birds, skunks, and armadillos may be spending extra time in your yard to feed on grub worms.
Not only is this a problem because it may indicate a grub issue, but these visiting animals will cause problems of their own. Your turf may take a hard hit as these animals dig and toss dirt to hunt for grubs. You may even notice molehills or tunnels.
Keep an eye on the activity going on in your yard. If these animals and grubs are giving you trouble, it may be time to call a lawn care and pest control company.
3. Are there any brown patches in your lawn?
Have you begun to notice patches of oddly shaped dead spots on your lawn? When your yard is under attack by grubs, grass will thin and turn brown. This leads to visible larger brown patch areas in your yard.
It’s common to notice these odd-shaped brown patches in late summer or early fall. During this period, grubs amp up their eating, and the damaged and dead grass becomes more visible.
Many factors can cause brown patches in your yard, like drought or disease. However, if you see brown patches and other signs of grubs, it is likely time to start grub control treatments. Have a pest control company inspect your yard to discover the truth of the issue.
4. Have you actually seen grubs in your yard?
If you have a suspicion that grubs are populating your yard but you’re not quite sure, there is a simple way to determine if you have an issue. It’s important to note that it is relatively normal to have some grubs living in a healthy yard. Just because you’ve seen one, don’t jump to conclusions.
Grubs are really only big trouble when they have too large of a population.
To check for grubs, use a shovel to dig up a few small spots in the suspicious parts of your yard. Grub worms are off-white in color with brown heads, chubby bodies, and three pairs of legs. They usually lay in a c-shape when they are exposed.
If you see more than five grubs per square foot, you may have an infestation. If you’ve found larger numbers of grubs in each hole, then at this point, it’s time to call in the experts before the grubs kill your grass. Start a grub control treatment as soon as possible before the grubs create the next two issues on our list (numbers 5 and 6).
5. Does your grass feel bouncy/loose underfoot?
Does your grass have a spongy or loose feel when you walk on it? The damage that grubs cause is quite unique and leads to some rather unusual symptoms. Grubs actually feed on the roots of grass, and so the damage they inflict occurs underground. As the grubs feed on the root structure, the connection between the root base and the green turf is weakened.
If your grass feels spongy, speak with a lawn care and pest control company right away. If grubs continue to feed on the root systems, the damage will only get worse…much worse. If grub infestations get to a worst-case scenario, you’ll end up with the following damage symptom listed below (number 6).
6. Does your grass have severe damage, such as full-on turf detachment?
Again, grubs feed on the root systems and destabilize the connection between the grass and the roots. So what happens when a grub infestation gets to the worst-case level?
Areas that have been weakened by grub feeding will become completely detached. That’s right! Your turf will be able to be easily pulled up and rolled away like a rug!
The time frame for seeing this level of damage is usually between June and October in DFW. Repairing this extreme damage caused by grubs is burdensome and expensive. Save yourself the trouble by catching the grub issue before you have a full-blown grub nightmare on your hands.
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Grub Control with Gecko Green
Gecko Green has the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure your lawn is getting the treatment it needs, at just the right time. To ensure your yard stays healthy, our highly trained staff will implement a grub control treatment plan to protect your lawn today. You’ll never have to worry about your yard when we’re on the job!
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