Grub Control
Understanding Japanese Beetles & Grubs
What Are Grubs?
Grubs are the larval stage of beetles, including Japanese beetles, June bugs, and chafer beetles. These C-shaped, white larvae live beneath the soil and feed on grass roots, causing significant lawn damage if left unchecked.
Life Cycle Overview
Japanese beetles undergo a complete life cycle with four stages: egg, larva (grub), pupa, and adult.
Eggs are laid in late July to early August.
Grubs emerge and feed on grass roots for up to 9 months.
Pupae develop within 7–14 days before emerging as adults.
Adults feed on plant foliage in late June through July.
Originally from Asia, Japanese beetles were first detected in the U.S. in 1917 and have since spread across all states east of the Mississippi River (except Florida).
Signs of Grub Infestation
If grubs are damaging your lawn, you’ll notice:
✔ Irregular Brown Patches – Usually starting along lawn edges.
✔ Grass Lifting Easily – Damaged grass pulls up like a loose carpet.
✔ Increased Animal Activity – Birds, skunks, and raccoons dig up grubs.
To check for grubs:
Gently pull back the sod in affected areas. If you find 5 or more grubs per square foot, treatment is recommended. If you see damage but no grubs, they may be deeper in the soil.
Season-Long Turf Pest Prevention (Preventative)
The most effective way to manage lawn pests and diseases is through prevention. Our Season-Long Turf Pest Prevention treatment, applied in April, protects your lawn from grubs and other turf-damaging pests for the entire season.
Program Benefits:
✔ Full-Season Protection – No mid-season surprises.
✔ Automatic Additional Treatments – Clients receiving this service get any necessary grub or covered insect treatments at no additional cost.
✔ Pre-Approval Policy – If you’re not on our full-season plan, read how our policy helps protect your lawn and budget.
The Pre-Approval Policy
This policy is designed with your lawn’s health and your wallet in mind.
✔ Immediate Treatment – Fungal outbreaks and pest infestations threatening your turf will be treated at the time of diagnosis.
✔ Pre-Approval Saves Time & Money – Spot fungal and pest treatments are automatically pre-approved to minimize damage and costs.
✔ Opting Out Increases Cost – If you opt-out, treatment will require approval, delaying application and increasing costs.
💰 Example:
Pre-approved spot treatment: $15
Without pre-approval: $50 (due to additional visits and delays)
To opt-out, contact our office. However, opting out will lead to higher costs and longer recovery times.
Curative Treatments (spot treatments)
Curative pest and disease treatments only stop active damage—meaning the harm has already been done.
Downsides of Curative Methods:
⚠ Damage is Already Present – Recovery time is required.
⚠ More Harmful to Beneficial Biology – Curative insecticides can impact soil health.
⚠ Higher Risk to Humans & Pets – These treatments are generally stronger than preventatives.
DIY Control & Prevention
Traps
Japanese beetle traps work, but placement is key. Since traps attract beetles, placing them near valuable plants can increase damage. Instead:
✅ Position traps on the property perimeter to keep beetles away from plants.
✅ Use a community-wide approach – 25–49 traps per square mile for best results.
Natural Control
🐞 Hand Removal – If populations are small, manually removing beetles from foliage is an option.
🦟 Tachinid Fly (Istocheta aldrichi) – A natural predator that parasitizes early-emerging beetles.
🌱 Choose Resistant Plants – Japanese beetles prefer certain plants (e.g., roses). Opt for less attractive species when landscaping.
Lawn Recovery After Grub Damage
✔ Rake away dead grass. Season-Long Turf Pest Prevention
✔ Water the area (some grass may recover if roots are only partially damaged).
✔ Re-sod if necessary.
✔ Boost recovery with an Organic Superfood Jumpstart – This helps speed up root establishment and overall lawn health.
Protect Your Lawn the Right Way!
For the best protection, season-long prevention is key. Our Season-Long Turf Pest Prevention ensures your lawn stays lush, green, and grub-free all season.