Grub infestation can be detrimental to your lawn. Learn more about what you can do for grub control and lawn maintenance.
Maintaining a lush green lawn is a dream that many homeowners have. Unfortunately, this dream can quickly become a nightmare when grubs take over. These pesky insects can cause extensive damage to your grass, leaving you with a brown, patchy mess. But fear not; preventing and treating a grub infestation is not as difficult as you might think.
With the right knowledge and tools, you can restore your lawn to its former glory and enjoy a beautiful, healthy garden all year round. Yes, it’s time to banish those pesky grubs for good!
Why Are Grubs So Damaging To Your Lawns?
It’s important to identify and address any grub infestation as soon as possible to prevent further lawn damage. And for this, you need to learn what exactly grubs are and how they can destroy your beautiful garden in no time.
Basically, grubs are the larval stages of beetle species like European Chafers, Japanese beetles, June beetles, and so on. These pesky creatures, with their soft white bodies, can create quite a nuisance in your yard. Typically, you will notice their appearance as the weather starts warming up as they remain dormant for the better part of the winters.
The pests eat roots of grass and organic matter during spring and early summer, thereby leading to extensive damage, which can be an eyesore for your garden. Naturally, if not taken care of timely, they will grow into adult beetles.
As they grow older, they mate and lay eggs, leaving the soil. They then have a lifespan of up to three years. They lay their eggs near their feeding sites, usually in the months of July and August, leaving you to take care of a fresh grub infestation.
How To Recognize Grub Infestation Timely
It’s vital that you properly identify and treat grub damage in your lawn before it becomes a larger problem that can lead to costly repairs. The question is, how? Luckily, there are some signs that should alert you of the impending problem timely.
Make sure to look out for the yellowing of grass. As we have mentioned, the grubs feast on the root of grass. Hence, soon enough, the grass will turn yellow with a spongy texture that rolls back when tugged. Consider this a warning sign that grubs have found their way to your lawn, and it’s time to invest in grub control at the earliest.
Of course, the grass does not become yellow directly. You will have brown and patchy grass at random spots in your yard, which is the earliest indication of the problem.
If your lawn has grubs, it will definitely have other pest species like raccoons and skunks, too, because they love eating grubs. And they will destroy your yard, looking for their prey. An increasing number of moths and beetles in the garden should also serve as a red herring.
The grubs will destroy the look of your garden in no time. If you notice that your yard appears dry despite watering, it could be an indication of grub infestation.
What To Do For Grub Control On Your Lawn?
So now you have identified the problem, it’s time to come up with a solution. Fortunately, there are quite a few tactics that have proven to be effective. Let’s dive deep to find out what you can do to get rid of pesky grubs from your lawn for good!
Introducing Natural Predators
Introducing natural predators is one of the effective ways to control the grub population in your lawn. However, you must ensure that the predator you count on does not contribute to the problem and destroy your yard further.
One natural predator that can aid in grub control is birds. Certain bird species, such as robins, starlings, and grackles, feed on grubs and can help reduce their numbers in your lawn. Adding a birdhouse or feeder can attract these birds to your garden, leading to a healthier garden with fewer grubs.
Nematodes are another natural and effective way to eliminate grubs. Nematodes can be used as a biological control method as they are able to penetrate the grubs and release a bacterium that ultimately kills them.
Control The Moisture In Your Yard
Note that grubs thrive in moisture. So if you limit the humidity in the environment, they won’t be able to survive for long. For this, you have to create an artificial drought. Don’t water your yard for some period in July which is the time when grubs lay their eggs. This will help you reduce the grub population significantly.
Using Azadirachtin
Azadirachtin is a natural insecticide that targets the larvae stage of the beetle’s life cycle, preventing them from growing into adults and causing further damage to your lawn. Moreover, this product is safe for the environment and does not harm beneficial insects like bees or ladybugs. With the Azadirachtin application, you can have peace of mind knowing that your lawn is protected from these destructive pests.
You can also use neem oil that prevents grubs from growing and feeding. Mix it with water and spray it on the affected areas of your lawn for desired results.
Aeration Of Lawn
If you want to ensure that your lawn does not become a hub for grubs, make it a point to dethatch and aerate it regularly. Keep in mind that dense, compacted soil is the perfect reservoir for grubs, so you must make the environment less hospitable for them.
At the same time, it’s crucial to maintain your lawn optimally. Fertilize it timely, mow the grass, and do everything needed to keep the garden healthy. Avoid watering your lawn deeply, and make sure to use bio-nutrient supplements as required.
Let Professionals Take Care Of Grub Control
It does not take long for grub infestation to spiral out of control. Your lawn will be destroyed in no time, leaving you with costly repairs. Don’t let things come to this point, and seek professional assistance at first sight of the problem.
By hiring a professional to handle the grub control service, you can rest assured that they will use the proper techniques and products to eliminate grubs and protect your lawn from future infestations. Overall, with efficient grub control measures in place, your lawn will be healthier and more beautiful. And if you are in West Chester, you don’t even have to look too far. We are merely a call away!