The Best Solution for Grubs

Identification

• Before gardeners can eliminate their grub problem, they must know what type of grub infests their lawn or garden. One of the most common grubs is the white grub, the larvae form of Japanese, Asiatic garden and green June beetles, and the northern masked chafer grub. As their name suggests, white grubs have a creamy white exterior, six well-developed legs and brown heads. Only the green June beetle grub doesn't have well-developed legs. Most white grubs have dirt smothered on their bodies, which makes it hard to determine if the larva is a white grub. Northern masked chafer grubs have chestnut brown bodies covered with hair.

Damage

• Just as important as identifying a grub is knowing what type of damage grubs cause. Sometimes the damage is easier to spot than the grubs themselves. One sign of heavy grub infestation is root damage at the base of grass. Dying turf and the presence of skunks or moles in a lawn are symptoms of grub damage;; skunks and moles follow heavy grub populations. Turf damage is most evident in April and May or in early fall.

Insecticides

• Insecticides are one of the surest ways to eliminate grubs from a lawn. Depending on the amount or type of damage, gardeners choose the appropriate insecticide for their current grub problem. White grubs are susceptible to insecticides such as halofenozide (found in products such as Kill-A-Grub and Mach-2), clothianidin, chlorantraniliprole and trichlorfon. Colorado State University's Extension program says the quickest-acting insecticide on the market for grubs is trichlorfon, which is found in products such as Dylox and Proxol.

Maintain Lawn

• After ridding their lawns or gardens of grubs, gardeners can prevent further grub problems by properly maintaining their properties. Grubs are less likely to infest well-maintained lawns. Some insecticides recommend frequent irrigation to prolong the effectiveness of the insecticide, but over-watering can wash away the insecticide's potency. Non-chemical solutions for getting rid of grubs are available to gardeners. These methods include handpicking adult grubs, pouring soapy water on them and planting non-attractive plants such as begonias, bleeding hearts, forget-me-nots and hemlocks, according to Ohio State University.