Did you know that there are pests living below the surface of your lawn that are feeding on and damaging the roots of your turf grass? These pests called grub worms are quite destructive if they are not caught in time.
Without a service like the Local Turf Pros grub control addon you might need to replace your entire lawn with sod or wait for the proper time to overseed your lawn.
If you have ever dug in your lawn or landscape, there is a good chance that you have found grubs. Grubs are white, C shaped worms that are the larvae of a variety of beetles, including the Japanese Beetle and June Bug. These and other beetles lay eggs in the soil during the summer. Around mid August, these eggs are born and begin eating your turf grass roots.
Lawn grubs will feed on the roots of your turf grass. When they eat most of the roots, your turf can turn brown and die. In addition to this, lawn grubs can attract problematic rodents like moles and groundhogs which can dig up your lawn looking for these tasty specimens.
Once grubs mature (the next summer), they will turn into adult beetles. These beetles damage the greenery in your landscape and then lay more eggs. This vicious cycle continues and more and more of your lawn will become damaged.
There are many symptoms of grub problems. One of the most common signs is brown or yellow grass in the spring. The damaged grass will not green up when the rest of the lawn turns green. This sign shows your lawn was damaged the previous summer or fall.
This is not the only sign of grubs. By the time the lawn turns yellow or brown, extensive damage has occurred. Here are a few other signs that can point toward a grub problem:
White grubs are the larvae of several different beetles. They can be white or gray and have brown heads. The tails of the grubs can be either brown or black. When disturbed, they curl. Grubs hatch from eggs laid in the ground. In Tennessee, most white grubs live underground for about 10 months; however, certain species can remain in the ground for two years. During the warmer months, grubs remain one to three inches below the surface. During the colder winter months, the grubs dig deeper into the soil.
Grubs burrow around the roots of your grass and feed on them. When grubs are actively feeding, they are about an inch below the soil surface. Burrowing animals like skunks and moles along with birds feed on these grubs and may tear up your lawn searching for white grubs.
Asiatic Garden Beetles – Asiatic garden beetles have a velvet look. They are about 1/4 inch long and are chestnut brown on top and have short yellow hairs underneath. Asiatic garden beetles only fly at night and feed on a variety of plants. Typically, they are most active mid July to mid August. Their larvae remain underground until the next summer. Then, the cycle is continued again.
Green June Beetles – Green June beetles are about an inch long and have a flattened appearance. They are velvety green with yellow to bronze edges. Green June Beetles feed on tree and plant foliage as well as ripening fruits. The females typically lay their eggs in grass clippings, the soil, or in mulch. Green June beetles are active during the months of June, July, and August. One generation is produced a year. The grubs typically feed on decaying vegetable matter; however, their burrowing damages grass roots, causing them to dry out and die.
Japanese Beetles – Japanese beetles are smaller beetles measuring about an inch long. These beetles have a metallic green body and copper brown wings. Fully mature Japanese beetles devour a host of plants in the landscape. The white grubs of Japanese beetles remain underground for one year. Adults begin appearing in mid June and remain active for four to six weeks before laying eggs in the ground.
Masked Chafers – Masked chafers are about 1/2 inch long and are brown in color. The front part of their body is darker than the back. The masked chafers appear in late May, June, and July. These beetles remain active for a couple of months. Then, they lay eggs in the ground and remain in the grub stage for one year. Masked chafers remain in the soil during the day and emerge on warm humid evenings.
May Beetles – May beetles, commonly called June Bugs, are one type of white grub found in Tennessee Lawns. Adults typically emerge in late May to June and remain active throughout midsummer. June bugs lay their eggs in July and early August. By mid August, the eggs hatch, and the larvae called white grubs begin feeding on the roots of your lawn. Some June bug larvae will remain underground for two years before growing into a full sized May beetle.
Rose Chafer – Rose chafers are yellowish brown and have long spiny legs. These beetles are about 1/2 of an inch long and feed on vegetation. They are especially destructive to blooming roses. Rose chafers prefer sandier soils; however, they will lay their eggs in almost any location. Rose chafers are found in abundance during June and July.
Grubs can cause a lot of damage to your lawn if they are not dealt with swiftly. The beginning signs of a grub infestation include brown patches on your lawn. Over time, grubs can completely separate the turf grass from its roots, allowing your sod to become so damaged it can be rolled up like a rug. If you have dead patches in your lawn, notice grub worms while working in the garden, have uninvited animals, or your turf grass feels spongy, grubs may be responsible.
If grubs are left untreated, they can completely decimate your lawn. Our lawn professionals understand the importance of acting quickly. They will inspect your lawn, determine the type of grubs responsible for your lawn damage, and treat your lawn so grubs won’t come back in the future and you can have a beautiful, green lawn.
Not only do we treat existing grub problems but if you are part of our lawn fertilization and weed control package we can use grub preventatives.
