28 May Grubs!
Grubs! They are like Kramer from Seinfeld, barging into his neighbor’s apartment unannounced. By the time you discover them, you could have a full-blown infestation in your yard. Grubs are lawn-loving larvae of various beetles that hide beneath the surface of our Nebraska lawns.
White grubs feed on turf and ornamental plant roots, and other organic matter in the soil. Grub infestations also tend to be localized to preferred locations in the landscape, such as a sunny, irrigated slope or turfgrass underneath a yard light, instead of being uniform throughout the lawn. Spot applications of grub control products can be made to areas with a history of attack versus applied to the entire yard. Damage from root-feeding white grub larvae usually is at its worst in late July and early August if high insect numbers are present and not controlled. As insects feed on the turfgrass’ roots, small patches of grass turn brown and die. Initially, damage may appear to be drought injury or even a disease such as Summer Patch. But close inspection of affected areas will show that patches of turf can be pulled back easily, like a carpet, and numerous white grub larvae will be found. Further damage to your lawn can come later in the season, September and October, birds, raccoons, and other types of wildlife can cause damage as they rip up turfgrass to find more mature grubs
Due to the anticipation of a slightly earlier appearance of adult beetles this year, grub control products should also be applied slightly earlier than normal this midwest spring. Be sure to water-in grub control products after application for best control.
Preventative products stop the next generation of grubs, but they have little effect on any young grubs that are currently chomping away on your grass. Don’t worry there are still products that can help and we are happy to come out and visit your home in Omaha and surrounding neighborhoods to assess, and make a plan to help you have a healthy enjoyable lawn for years to come!
If you would like more information on grub control please visit the University of Nebraska Horticulture page HERE.