What Is the Best Lawn for Grub Control?

Grubs

• Grubs are the larvae of numerous types of beetles. These beetles lay their eggs at the beginning of the spring and in the late summer. When eggs hatch, larvae feed off of the root systems of grass. Their damage is so severe that gardeners may be able to roll up their grass is if it were carpeting. The best type of lawn for grub control is one that produces strong root systems quickly to counteract the damage.

Tall Fescue

• White grubs inflict most of their damage at the end of the summer when larvae hatch. During this time, tall fescue replenishes or grows roots at a rate the keeps up with the grub's feeding schedule. The result is not less grubs, but less damage caused to the yard. Other grass types such as Kentucky bluegrass do not replenish their root systems at the end of the summer. Therefore, grass becomes injured from grub damage.

Planting Tall Fescue

• Tall fescue is a cool season grass type generally planted either in early spring or in the early fall. Gardeners who plant this grass type in the early spring in regions that experience hot summers risk losing some seedlings to the heat. It is important for gardeners growing tall fescue to keep their grass height above 1-1/2 inches. This cool season grass cannot tolerate low mowing. In addition, low mowing puts stress on the roots that are being damaged by grubs.

Helping Your Fescue

• Gardeners can control their grub population in tall fescue by withholding water during June and July. Well-irrigated lawns attract beetles laying eggs during those months. Also, you are able to dry out any eggs that have been laid in your tall fescue. Water the lawn during late August and early September. An irrigated tall fescue lawn uses the moisture to bounce back from any damage that it may have received. In addition, watering keeps your tall fescue from going dormant.