If you’ve got a lawn, you’ve got grubs. It’s that simple. The healthier the lawn, the more attractive it is to grubs as a place to raise their young ‘uns. And, if you live in a populated neighborhood, your chance of infestation increases dramatically. However, there’s no need to dump down excessive chemicals to keep from being a host to these resilient pests.
With Grub Control, Timing Is Everything
Patience goes a long way in controlling grubs. Grub controls only work when they come in contact with a feeding insect. In New Hampshire, grubs are not active until the soil temperature warms to 55° – around late May. However, these mature grubs don’t stay in the ground long before they emerge as adults. Grubs are most vulnerable at the young larval stage, in late August. That doesn’t help if your yard is already infested with adult beetles.
At Groundhog Turf Care, we use a double-barreled approach to eliminating grubs. If your yard is infested, we will treat the emerging young beetles in early July with an eradicator. This control is very effective; however, timing is critical, because the product lasts only seven days in the soil.
Once the grub population is under control, we can keep most lawns grub-free with only one treatment, a long-lasting preventative applied in early June.
Lawn Insect Control – From Top to Bottom
Most grub controls contain only Imidacloprid (Merit), which is a synthetic version of nicotine. It is a slow-acting control that works in the soil when the insect ingests it or comes in contact with the product. Our grub control preventative also contains Bifentherin, a synthetic compound made from chrysanthemum flowers. It is not toxic to humans or animals – Bifentherin attacks an insect’s nervous system on contact – which means it controls insect infestation from the surface instantly.
There are only three types of grubs in New Hampshire that kill lawns at the root:
- Japanese Beetles
- European Schaffer Beetles
- Asian Garden Beetle
Our double-barreled grub control approach also works on surface-feeding insects like:
- Chinch Bugs
- Army Worm
- Sod Webworm
We provide grub control services as part of our Standard or Estate Lawn Care Program.
FAQs About Controlling Grubs
1. What are white grubs and how do they affect turf grass?
White grubs are the larvae of various beetle species, including Japanese beetles and June beetles. They cause damage to turf grass by chewing off the grass roots just below the soil surface. This root injury hampers the grass’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, making it more susceptible to stress from hot, dry conditions. Symptoms of damage include thinning, yellowing, and the appearance of dead patches.
2. When is grub damage most noticeable?
Grub damage is typically most evident during August and September. Early signs include gradual turf thinning and yellowing, followed by irregular dead patches. As the infestation continues, the dead patches can expand, and the turf may feel spongy. Heavily damaged turf can be easily pulled away from the soil, similar to lifting a rug.
3. How can I confirm a grub infestation in my lawn?
The most effective way to confirm a white grub issue is by sampling potential infestation sites. One can inspect the top layer of soil for the characteristic c-shaped grubs. Additionally, the presence of animals like moles, skunks, and raccoons, which dig for grubs, can also indicate a problem.
4. What treatment strategies exist for controlling grubs?
There are two primary strategies: curative and preventive treatments. Curative treatments are applied in late summer after grubs are present and require careful timing, as they have a short residual effectiveness. Preventive treatments, on the other hand, are applied before grubs hatch, offering greater flexibility and peace of mind. These products typically have a longer residual effect, making them ideal for managing potential infestations.
5. When is the best time to apply insecticides for grub control?
Curative treatments are best applied in early to mid-August when grubs are small. Preventive treatments should ideally be applied from mid-June to mid-July, targeting the window prior to egg hatch. This timing ensures that the insecticide can effectively control young grubs hatching in late July or early August. Proper post-treatment irrigation is crucial to ensure the insecticide penetrates the root zone effectively.
Grub Control Service Areas in New Hampshire
These grub control and management services are available to lawn care clients in the following New Hampshire locations. If you don’t see your town listed, give us a call – chances are we can service you!
Southern NH
Manchester NH
