Grub Control: How To Get Rid of Grubs

Grubs are small, C-shaped larvae of a variety of different species of bugs, for example, Beetles or June bugs. Adult beetles have hard-bodies, are shield-shaped and do not usually harm turf plants. They are much easier to detect as opposed to the grubs because the adults live above ground and are frequently seen flying around.

Grubs hatch in the fall and stay hidden underground during the winter months and then come out of hibernation during the spring season. When spring arrives, so does their appetite as they begin to vigorously consume grass and plants. The Grubs will continue to feed on your grass and plants for the next few months until the larvae mature into beetles. After that, they will start going after garden plants and flowers and will lay eggs in the soil to create the next generation of Grubs that will feast on your lawn.

The extent of the damage Grubs can inflict on your lawn depends on how many there are in your soil. Best case, you may only notice a few dead patches. At worst, your grass can become so terribly damaged that you can roll it back like a rug.

If you have Grubs plaguing your lawn, our professional DIY treatment guide can help. Compiled by our staff of lawn care experts, this guide can help you step-by-step in eliminating your grub infestation quickly and affordably. Follow the directions below using our best grub killers and we guarantee you won't have a grub problem on your property any longer.

Identification

Before carrying out pesticide treatments, you will need to make sure the pest in your soil is a grub and not some other type of pest. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong treatment products, which can be a waste of your time and finances. Here is a list of characteristics of grubs to know what they look like for easy identification:

• Grubs are slimy white worms often seen curled in a "C" shape between 3/8ths of an inch to 2 inches that you will find primarily under the soil.
• They are the larvae of beetles and have a thick and soft body.
• They have brownish colored heads and large mandibles.
• They also have three pairs of legs near their head which makes grubs standout amongst other larval lawn pests.

Use the video and description above to help you identify cutworms on your lawn. If you are having trouble confirming that the pest on your property is a grub, you contact us with a quality close-up photo and we will be happy to respond back to you with the pest ID as well as offer you some suggestions and products recommendations to eliminate the pest.

Inspection

After you have correctly identified grubs on your property, you can proceed with an inspection to locate where they are found so you can better focus your pesticide applications. By doing this you can also correct the conditions allowing this pest to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Check the damage of your grass and pay attention to patches of dead turf. Also, we recommend testing your lawn for grubs by digging a square foot hole with a shovel about 3 inches deep. If you spot more than 5 grubs, than treatment is necessary.

The peak times for white grub damage is in August and September. You may notice symptoms of their presence via your grass gradually thinning and yellowing followed by the appearance of scattered, irregular dead patches.

As time goes on, these dead patches will grow in size due to the feeding habits of the grubs and what you had perceived to be healthy grass will start to wilt.

What to look for

Determine whether you have a small or large infestation. Depending upon the species, an older grub can vary in size from 3/8 to 2 inches long. They also share a soft, thick, white body that is frequently, although not always, curled into the shape of the letter C.

Also, look around for beetle activity. Grubs are the larval stage of beetles and if there is a lot of beetle activity on your lawn, grubs are likely to be present.

Treatment

When you are certain that you have a grub infestation on your lawn, you can attack the issue head-on by applying a grub control insecticide to the grass to put a stop to further damage to your precious turf. For Grub control in your lawn, we recommend using Dominion 2L.

Dominion 2L is an effective grub killer that also has a broad label, meaning that it will effectively control many other turf and ornamental pests, like aphids, beetles, leafhoppers, and whiteflies.

As always, before applying any insecticide, make sure to have on the proper protective safety equipment (gloves, face mask, glasses).

Step 1 - Mix and Apply Dominion 2L to Lawn

Dominion 2L mixed with water helps to penetrate deep down into the soil where the grubs will be hiding. Dominion 2L is also a systemic insecticide meaning it will work its way through the root system of your lawn, exposing the lawn grubs to the pesticide as they feed on the roots.

Determine how much Dominion 2L you will need to mix by first calculating the square footage of the treatment area. Dominion 2L should be mixed with a gallon of water via hose-end sprayer at a rate of 0.46 to 0.6 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft.

Broadcast the solution over your entire lawn making a nice even coat. It's important that you use a hose-end sprayer with your Dominion 2L application so that the product can get pushed down to the turf's root zone. Once there, it will translocate through the turf to protect your grass from the inside-out. When you are done spraying, stay off the treated area after application until the product has dried.

Timing is important when conducting Grub control with insecticides. The best time to apply grub control products is in early to mid-August when Grubs are still small and they haven't developed too much yet and the damage is relatively minimal.

If you do not discover the Grubs until later in the season when damage is visible, it may be best that you apply once in the spring and again in the summer for total Grub control.

Prevention

Prevent grubs from returning to your yard by following the listed preventative strategies:

• After the grubs have been eliminated, it is important to instill healthy and regular maintenance practices to promote a healthy turf so that your lawn can fend off any possible infestations in the future and prevent grubs from coming back.
• Mow your grass at the right height, fertilize at proper times of the year and water your lawn regularly but don't overwater.
• Dominion 2L can also be used as a preventative treatment to keep grubs out so be sure to apply at least quarterly to keep your lawn grub free.

Key Takeaways

What are Grubs?

• Grubs are a common lawn pest characterized by soft, thick, light-colored bodies, well-developed heads, their presence in the soil and the fact that they are the larvae form of beetles.

What is the best grub killer for getting rid of Grubs?

• Our top recommendation for controlling a Grub infestation is a liquid application of Dominion 2L.

Preventing Grub Reinfestation

• To prevent Grub reinfestation, combine cultural practices like a good watering and fertilizer routine and preventative applications of Dominion 2L.