Lawn Care: Is Grub Control Necessary?

White Grub Description

• White grubs are the larvae of beetles. They are C-shaped, off-white in color and have a brownish or tan head. They are generally 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch in length. Grubs damage lawns by chewing off the roots of the grass.

Assessing Damage

• Signs of lawn grub damage include patches of brown, dying grass. You can dig up a square foot of turf 3 inches deep and then pull it apart over a piece of cardboard or paper to look for grubs. If there are more than eight grubs per square foot, consider taking measures to control the grubs.

Control Methods

• Cultural control methods include irrigating the lawn and fertilizing appropriately. High-nitrogen fertilizer, for instance, can be detrimental, and weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to grubs; you should avoid it. Damaged lawns can be re-seeded. Apply chemical controls only in extreme cases.