Grub Control
Why Do I Need Grub Control?
White grubs – which are the larval stage of beetle – can damage lawns. Most white grubs have similar life cycles. The adults beetles are generally present for about a month in the summer. When beetles are observed, it provides a bit of an early warning they may be laying eggs in nearby turf, which can be subsequently infested with white grubs (the larvae of these beetles).
The larvae feed the rest of the summer and into early fall. They then go deep in the soil to “overwinter” – and feed again in the spring. They then finally complete development into adult beetles in late spring.
Damage to a lawn results from grubs feeding on the turf roots or when raccoons or skunks pull up the grass to feed on the grubs. The three types of grubs that damage lawns in Central Virginia are June beetles, Japanese beetles, and the Masked Chafer beetle.
Timing of the Treatment for Grubs Makes All the Difference
There are several types of insecticides labeled for the treatment of grubs. The best and most effective insecticides are systemic and provide optimal control if applied to the lawn while the beetles are flying. Beetle’s fly, mate, then lay eggs in the soil. These products are persistent for several months and kill the young larvae after the eggs hatch. They will not kill the flying beetles, but this is not necessary unless the beetles are feeding on your landscape plants.
Here are some tips for selecting a grub control product:
- Apply a product such as Imidacloprid while the beetles are flying, or shortly thereafter. Usually, mid-June to Early July is the best time. These products work best on young larvae and if applied late in the summer, will not work.
- The grub control applications must be watered in immediately. These products breakdown in sunlight and will not be effective if not watered into the soil within a few days of treatment.
- Do not use beetle traps. These traps attract many more Japanese beetles than would be present normally. Expect significant damage to the landscape plants with the higher beetle population, as the traps only collect about 25% of beetles. This also increases the potential for greater turf damage.
Proper grub application and timing is important to ensure a lush, healthy, green lawn. Virginia Green offers an application that will control the grub population. Repairing damage from grubs, or mammals feeding on grubs, can include aeration and seeding or potentially using sod to replace the turf.
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