How Do I Get Rid of Grubs in My Lawn? Your Guide to Lawn Grubs in Traverse City, MI
Grubs can turn your beautiful lawn into a patchy mess faster than you can say “lawn care.”
If you’ve noticed brown spots, wilting grass, or increased bird activity in your yard, you might be dealing with these pesky invaders. The good news? Getting rid of grubs is possible. A combination of effective grub control treatments and preventative measures can restore the health of your lawn.
Let’s break down what grubs are, why they invade your lawn in the first place and the fastest way to get rid of them. Plus, we’ll share tips for preventing grubs from coming back and when it might be a good idea to call in the pros.
What are lawn grubs?
You know those ugly, white, C-shaped fat worms you sometimes find curled up in the soil? Those are lawn grubs, and if you’re seeing a lot of them, your grass might be in trouble.
Lawn grubs are the larvae of beetles–in Michigan, that usually means June bugs or Japanese beetles. They hatch in late summer and feed on grass roots, which can leave your lawn weak, patchy, and prone to dying off in big sections. If you’ve ever noticed brown, spongy feeling spots in your grass that peel up like a loose carpet, grubs could be the culprit.
Another great indicator that you may have a grub problem is noticing a whole lot of birds enjoying lunch on your lawn. If you see a large number of birds actively digging or eating at your lawn, you most likely have a grub infestation.
Got a lawn with grubs? Here’s why they’ve invaded
If you’re dealing with a grub problem, you might be wondering, “Why my lawn?” The truth is, grubs aren’t picky–they show up wherever conditions are just right. Here is what commonly attracts them:
- A Healthy, Lush Lawn- Ironically, if you take great care of your grass, it could become a prime target. Beetles love laying their eggs in thick, well-watered lawns because the soil stays soft and easy for larvae to burrow into.
- Warm, Sunny Areas- Grubs tend to thrive in full-sun lawns, especially in areas where grass is a little weather or stressed. Shady spots with lots of tree cover? Not as appealing to them.
- Too Much Moisture- If your lawn is overwatered, it creates a perfect environment for eggs to hatch and larvae to thrive. A damp lawn in late summer is like an open invitation for grubs to move in.
What’s the fastest way to get rid of grubs?
If grubs have already taken over your lawn, don’t panic–there are ways to kick them out fast and prevent them from coming back. The key is acting quickly before they cause too much damage.
- Apply a Fast-Acting Grub Killer– If you’re seeing dead patches of grass or pulling up sections like loose carpet, you need a curative grub control product. Look for one with carbaryl or trichlorfon, which kills grubs on contact. Apply it right away and water it in deeply so it soaks into the soil where the grubs are hiding.
- Let Nature Help- Birds, skunks, and other animals love to eat grubs. While no one wants their lawn dug up, encouraging birds (with a feeder or bird bath) can help naturally reduce the grub population.
- Rake and Reseed- If grubs have already done lots of damage, rake up the dead grass and overseed the area to help your lawn recover faster.
The best method for controlling grubs is really to keep them from hatching in the first place. In late spring or early summer, apply a grub-preventative product. Many professionals include this in their yearly fertilization packages, and the ingredients included kill grubs before they can get big enough to cause damage to your lawn.
Since grubs love soft, damp soil, be mindful of how much water your lawn is getting. Remember the trick to watering your lawn is to water deeply and less often. This helps keep your lawn strong without making it grub-friendly. Watering times can be tricky–so check out this guide we wrote about irrigation to help.
Do I need professionals to help get rid of grubs in my lawn?
You can apply grub control yourself, but is it the best option? While DIY treatments exist, properly diagnosing and treating a grub problem isn’t always straightforward. Lawns can be tricky–you might think you’re dealing with grubs when the real issue is something else, like drought stress or a fungal disease. Misdiagnosing the problem wastes time and money and could cause even more damage. Let’s look at some challenges of DIY grub control:
- Too Many Products, Not Enough Clarity- Just like lawn seed and fertilizer, the market is flooded with grub control products. Some only work on small grubs, while others work preventatively–choosing the wrong one could mean wasted effort, money, and a still-damaged lawn.
- Getting the Application Right- Even if you pick the right product, how much should you use? Too little, and the grubs survive. Too much, and you might damage your lawn. Professionals are required to take yearly training and pass certification tests to apply any treatment to your lawn. This means they know the correct timing, amount, and application method to get the best results.
- Better Equipment, Better Results- Lawn care pros use commercial-grade equipment that applies treatments evenly and effectively, ensuring the product reaches the grubs in the soil.
While DIY treatment for grubs seems cheaper, there are other factors to consider. The cost of the right grub control products, a spreader or sprayer, the time spent diagnosing, buying, and applying hte treatment, and potential reseeding and lawn repair if the problem worsens means your tab is adding up quickly. And, if the DIY approach doesn’t work, you might need to hire a pro anyway after spending time and money on the wrong solution.
Get rid of grubs for good with Green Team in Traverse City, MI
We get it–life’s busy. Between work, family, and all the other things on your to-do list, you probably don’t have the time to spend researching grub control products, diagnosing lawn issues, and applying lawn treatments. And even if you did, it can be tough to know exactly what your lawn needs and when.
That’s where Green Team comes in. With our professional lawn care services, you get an accurate diagnosis, the right treatment, long-term prevention, and a whole lot less hassle.
Instead of spending your precious time on trial and error, let us take care of the work. We know Traverse City lawns inside and out, and we’re here to help you get the best results without all the guesswork.
Ready for some help getting rid of grubs in your lawn? Get started today by filling out our contact form.
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