Lawn Grubs

White Lawn Grub

If you are wondering about lawn grubs and how to control them, read on...

Late summer and into early fall is the time white grub problems are most likely to show in lawns in the northern states.

Even though a comparatively small percentage of lawns will in reality experience lawn grub damage, these insects can rapidly cause devastating damage to your lawn.

Lawn Grubs - How Do You Know If You Have Them?
These grubs, additionally known as white grubs, feed on the turf root structure, causing wilting and browning in large, irregular-shaped areas. In late summer, there can be numerous reasons you can have turf brown spots, so don't automatically conclude that your turf suffers from lawn grubs. A sure-fire way to find out if you have a grub problem is to inspect the root zone for the classic "C-Shaped" grubs.

Here is how you do it: Cut the turf back in the affected area at the margins where the brown areas meet the healthy, unaffected turf areas. A lawn grub count of more than 10 to 12 grubs per square foot will lead to the wilting and browning of your turf.

Keep in mind other factors that can lead to poor turf rooting and are commonly mistaken for grub infested areas. One classic area that can be mistaken for lawn grubs is shady areas, as the roots are typically shallow rooted, and can be lifted very easily. Shady turf areas are normally not affected by lawn grubs. Also, many lawns were easily pulled up in the early spring and grubs were blamed. Turf roots will rot away once the grass above dies and the sod can easily be lifted up.

So keep in mind that assessing grub damage in the spring from the previous season is very difficult, even if you find dead areas of turf.

Another way to determine if you have lawn grubs is if you have skunks or raccoons digging your turf up overnight looking for grubs, which is a food source for them. While moles are commonly attracted to your turf in search of grubs, it is not a positive indication.

Why is it that not all lawns in a particular neighborhood are not affected equally?

The reason for this is the adult stage of the grub is the Japanese Beetle, which flies. So if they fly to your lawn and not your neighbor's, it is by means of random chance. But adult beetles normally lay eggs in full-sun lawn areas with adequate soil moisture.

Most often the Japanese beetle lays their eggs in July. So if it has been dry, and you have watered your turf you are surrounded by dry turf, the beetle will likely select your lawn.

If Your Turf Looks Like This, You May Have Grub Damage

How Can You Predict If You Will Have Lawn Grubs?
There are many factors that affect the chances of having grubs in your turf. One very clear indication is if you observe a lot of beetles on your turf during the month of July.

Also if around sundown or shortly after sundown, you see active tan beetles, these are adult white grubs called Masked Chafers.

The Japanese beetle usually feeds on ornamental plants during the daytime hours.

Make sure you keep an eye on your turf from about mid-August through the month of September.

Watch for browning and wilting turf areas, and be sure you inspect the affected turf root zone for grubs.

How Can Grub Damage Be Prevented?
You have several options to consider. One extreme option is to stop your lawn irrigation during the month of July so it will go dormant. This will deter the beetles from laying their eggs in your turf. This of course has a downside of a brown lawn in the middle of summer.

A better option is examine the use of a lawn grub control substance. If there has been known problems in your lawn or your neighbors turf, you ought to make use of a natural grub control substance.

What Is The Most Beneficial Way To Get Rid Of Lawn Grubs?
The most beneficial method for lawn grub infestations is to use an organic bacterial application. Although the poisons available will certainly do the job and kill your grubs, you risk pollution of the water table and killing song birds.

Also you risk the introduction of unhealthy circumstances to your pets and family. One of the best treatments is Milky Spore and can control lawn grubs for up to 10 years if applied correctly.

Click to learn more about Milky Spore.

How Can You Repair Your Lawn After Damage?
If there has been significant damage to your lawn, you should implement some lawn restoration strategies.

First of all, be sure to rake up all the dead debris.

Next, be sure to water the damaged areas very thoroughly as some of the damaged roots may recover and this is particularly effective in cooler weather.

Areas that don't recover, bare areas, or severely thin turf areas should be reseeded. The best time to start your restoration is when the heat of summer has past.

This is generally around Labor Day for many parts of the country.

Milky Spore

Milky Spore Powder

Milky Spore:
Have you ever wondered why there was a perfect product for a certain task? If you are looking for a way to control lawn grubs, Japanese Beetles and moles all in one shot, look no farther. Milky Spore is the product that will do everything for you.

No More Song Birds - My Silent Spring:
When I purchased a five acre wooded building site, I never even thought that moles could be a meaningful problem for my lawn. After a couple of years the mole problem I was going to have became very obvious.

With such an immediate problem, I wished to cure this a rapidly as possible. So I made a quick trip to the garden superstore and purchased the best grub control poison that I could find. The main active
ingredient was Diazinon, but I won't mention any names.

Did this product handle the mole problem? Absolutely, as advertised, for that year anyway. The next thing I found was dead song birds all over the property, and everything got stangely quiet. Holy Cow, what was happening??

I didn't know it at the time, but the birds died because they ate the poisoned lawn grubs as they surfaced. The realization of this was terrible. One of the most alluring aspects of living in the woods was listening to the song birds, and that was now gone.

After much study I came across a obscure product at the time called Milky Spore. I thoroughly investigated this product because I didn't are interested to repeat myhorrendous mistake.

Everything checked out - It was totally organic and safe for birds and humans. Upon arrival of the product, there was only one application created, and it lasted for 12 seasons. Amazing! That proved to us the potential of organic pest control.

How Does It Work?
As it turns out Milky Spore consists of a organically occurring bacteria. When this is ingested by the grubs, their digestive system is paralyzed, resulting in their death. After ingesting the powder, the grubs crawl to the lawn surface and die. The bacteria then spreads by the billions, covering the entire surface of the yard. The lawn grubs, and the Japanese Beetles will be eliminated from a lawn in about 6 to 8 weeks.

And as for the moles? They are sent packing, looking for greener pastures. Their food source was taken away, and they won't come back until the grubs would return.
The amazing feature about this stuff is that after treatment, there are no health concerns for your family, pets or the birds. No poison, contaminates, water pollution, and lots of song birds.

How Is Milky Spore Applied?
I feel that the Milky Spore that is in the concentrated powder form works the best. It lasts much longer than the granular form of the product.

Milky Spore Applicator Tube

During the application of the concentrate, follow the instructions to the letter. Use the application spacing as a recommended maximum and do not skimp on material. It is also recommended that the specified application tube be used to apply the product to your lawn. You will discover that it works very well and is very economical.

The application is as simple as filling the applicator with powder and ram it into the ground at 36" spacings. This will position a grid-work of Milk Spore at 36 inch spacing over your entire lawn.
Finally, do not forget to water the powder into the lawn very thoroughly. The decrease will not be too much for about a month, then there wiil be full control in about 8 weeks.

What is the Cost of Milky Spore?
Well, it is not cheap. The cost works out to about 90 dollars per 10,000 square feet of lawn coverage. The savings is in how long it lasts. This will be a very good investment in your mole control. The applicator is only about $8.00 and will last for many applications, if you take care of it.

Where Can It Be Bought?
You can try to purchase it at larger garden stores. I enjoy the convenience of ordering the product online where I don't waste gas running around to find it.

What is The Rating of the Product?
I feel that this product not only delivers, it goes beyond the claims. With a cost of only 1/10 of a cent per square foot per year, you can't do much better than that. Therefore I give it the highest 10 star rating. So if you have these nasty pests, be sure to give Milky Spore a try. you will not be sorry you did.