![Damaged Lawn](https://dlczb9lfz9r73.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/29211958/Screen-Shot-2022-06-30-at-3.20.06-PM.png)
How To Get Rid of Lawn Grubs
Get a quote from local pest control experts
When you click “Get Your Estimate,” you are submitting your data to Home Service Quotes, which will process your data in accordance with the Home Service Quotes Privacy Policy.
Advertiser Disclosure
Lawn grubs are pale white, squirmy larvae that can destroy your lawn from the roots up. Fortunately, these pests are only a problem in large numbers, so if you just have a few, there’s no need to worry. However, if you find a lot of grubs in your soil, you need to eliminate them to avoid damage to your lawn.
We’ll show you how to get rid of lawn grubs with natural methods or synthetic pesticides, as well as prevent them from coming back. We’ll also recommend some of the best professional pest control and top lawn care companies to help you get rid of grubs.
What Are Lawn Grubs?
Lawn grubs are the wriggly, worm-like larvae of different types of beetles, like Japanese beetles and June bugs, that hatch in the spring and summer. These pests are roughly an inch long, curl up into a C-shape when disturbed, burrow into your lawn, and feed on your grass’s roots. In small quantities, they don’t cause harm. According to entomologists at Michigan State University, a healthy lawn may have up to five grubs per per square foot without suffering any damage. However, if large grub populations are left unchecked, they can leave your lawn looking patchy and uneven.
How To Tell If You Have Lawn Grubs
The first sign of lawn grubs is often irregular brown patches in your lawn. These could be caused by many different factors, but if you can pull up the grass easily, it’s a clear indicator that the grubs have chewed through the roots.
Increased animal activity is another sign. Grubs make up a large part of the diets of skunks, raccoons, and birds. If you notice holes in your lawn from digging or pecking, these critters might be after abundant grubs. If you suspect you have a grub problem, do a soil test.
Testing your soil
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Lawn Grubs
You can pursue three natural options for getting rid of lawn grubs before turning to chemicals. These are safer for the environment and won’t harm beneficial insects, but they will take longer to be effective. In some cases, it may take years for the natural treatments to fully eradicate a lawn grub colony.
Pesticides to Get Rid of Lawn Grubs
If you want to rid your lawn of grubs in a hurry and ensure they don’t come back, using synthetic pesticides is the most surefire option. However, they may also kill beneficial insects like bees. There are two types of synthetic pesticide treatments.
- Curative: These eliminate existing larvae but won’t prevent future infestations. You’ll need to water your lawn before and after you apply a curative pesticide to make sure it gets soaked into the soil. The most common curatives include the ingredients carbaryl and trichlorfon. Different curatives may kill grubs at different stages, so the time of year you apply them may differ. Always read the instructions before applying any pesticide treatment.
- Preventive: These products will help prevent future generations of grubs from taking over. They’re typically applied in the spring when grubs haven’t yet hatched, though some may have more specific windows of effectiveness. Preventive treatments won’t be effective in the late summer or fall when the grubs are at their most active. Chlorantraniliprole, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin are all active ingredients in preventative grub treatments.
Preventing Lawn Grubs
Top Recommended Company for Grub Control
If your grub infestation is severe or you aren’t having much success treating it yourself, call a professional lawn care or pest control company. They can help you create a seasonal plan to not only eliminate existing grubs but also keep them from coming back. Some lawn services even offer natural or organic treatments.
We recommend TruGreen for its extensive Grub Prevention & Control Services. A TruGreen specialist will start by monitoring the lawn for adult beetle activity, then apply insect control just before the hatching season.
This lawn care provider also offers five annual lawn care programs and additional a la carte services, so you can customize your treatment plan. To get a free quote, call 1-866-817-2287 or fill out this easy form.
Alternatively, if the grub infestation is part of a larger pest control problem, we recommend Terminix and Orkin for your pest control needs. Though they don’t offer fertilizer or other lawn treatments, they can eradicate grubs to keep your yard pest-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I treat my lawn for grubs?
You should use preventive grub treatments in late spring through early summer. However, if the grubs have already hatched, used curative treatments in the late summer and fall.
How do I know if I have lawn grubs?
There may be some obvious signs, like irregular brown patches of grass. You can also perform a simple soil test to see if you have lawn grubs. Pick up a square foot of soil or sod that’s roughly 2 to 3 inches deep, and inspect it for white, worm-like pests.
Why do I have grubs in my lawn?
Grubs feed on the roots of many grass species, but some lawns are more prone to infestations than others. These pests find ryegrass very appealing.
How do I get rid of grubs in my lawn naturally?
You can rid your lawn of grubs naturally by using beneficial nematodes, applying milky spore, or drying out your grass.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.