Gardening

Grubs: The Ugly, Silent Lawn Killers

Posted: 6/8/2011

Grubs live underground and feed on the roots of your lawn.

(NAPSI)—Grub damage is occurring all over the country.

In San Ramon, California, work crews had to treat and repair sports fields that were torn up by animals feeding on grubs underneath the turf.

The Connecticut County Extension Service says grubs are the No. 1 insect problem responsible for killing grass in the Northeast.

If you search for grubs on Flickr, you’ll find plenty of examples of lawns damaged by the insect.

What Are Grubs?

White grubs are the larvae of Japanese, June and May beetles. They’re usually less than 11/2-inches long and they’re curled into a C-shape.

They live underground and feed on the roots of your lawn. The most serious problems occur in late summer and fall, but you can also see damage in late spring.

“Grub damage can resemble other problems, so diagnosis can be tricky,” said Lance Walheim, author of “Lawn Care for Dummies” and lawn care expert for Bayer Advanced™.

You’ve got a grub problem if you see:

• Dead, brown patches in your lawn.

• Wilting grass, even when it’s watered.

• Birds, moles, possum and raccoons digging in your yard.

• Lots of beetles flying around.

Another sign: You can lift up the grass like a rug and see grubs underneath.

If you need fast action or easy prevention measures, check out www.BayerAdvanced.com for its 24-hour Grub Killer Plus I granules (kills grubs within 24 hours) and the new Season-Long Grub Control ready-to-spray formula (kills grubs all season long). Always read and follow label directions.

Deep, infrequent watering, fertilizing once or twice a year and mowing at the correct height for your grass with a sharp blade can keep your lawn healthy and less susceptible to pest damage.

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