Grass grubs are a tiny creature that can cause major problems to a healthy lawn. That’s because the larvae hatch in the soil and feed on the bases! By doing so, they can begin to kill large sections of your lawn in the process.
We know that larvae are a source of stress and frustration for owners. But we don’t want you to have to worry.
You have questions about grass grubs and we have answers. We get asked these common questions every day, so we’ve put them all together in one handy guide. As his partner in lawn care success, we want to help him have peace of mind knowing that all of his dirt concerns can be resolved. These are the most common questions about grub control:
What are larvae?
Larvae are small, white, C-shaped creatures found in grass. They are actually beetle larvae, including those of the infamous Japanese beetle, the pesky insect that can wreak havoc on your landscape in its adult form by eating your trees and shrubs.
The beetles lay their eggs in the summer, so the larvae hatch in the soil and typically begin feeding on grass roots in mid-August. Damage caused by these larvae can occur quickly, so it is important that you take the necessary steps to prevent it in the first place.
What is grass grub control?
Grub control is any method or product used to prevent or eliminate grubs. Because the larvae are an “underground pest,” it is often difficult for homeowners to detect them. They are born on the ground and can feed on the bases under your feet.
That’s why it’s important to consider grass grub control, whether you have a known problem or not. It’s just not worth the risk.
Many people will also take the «wait and see» approach. They decide they will not invest in lawn grub control until they detect a grub. But these sneaky pests can often go unnoticed until the destructive result of their presence becomes so severe that it may be too late to fix it. At that point, when the larvae have consumed the roots of the grass, you may find, to your dismay, that it can roll up the dead grass like a rug.
How does grub control work in Ohio?
There are different products for controlling grubs that work in different ways.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we use a granular product that absorbs into the grass plant. As soon as the larvae begin to feed on it, they die. This prevents them from having the opportunity to damage the grass.
These products are designed to work with larvae at their smallest size, when the least amount of product is needed.
When to apply grub control in Ohio?
Knowing when to stop controlling larvae is critical to success.
We begin our lawn grub control treatment in early June and July during our third round of lawn treatments. This period of time allows us to address the grubs before they have a chance to grow and feast on your lawn.
How often should I apply grub control?
The larvae have a life cycle of one year. The beetles you see flying around will lay their eggs in your lawn in early summer and then hatch and begin feeding in mid-August. You only need to apply lawn grub control once a year to keep up with the one-year life cycle of this pest.
One advantage of getting rid of lawn grubs at this young stage is that you will prevent those larvae from developing into adult beetles that feast on your garden plants.
Does grub control eliminate moles?
The problem is that the larvae are just a food source for the moles. Earthworms are another popular food source.
Here’s an analogy that people often relate to: If every steakhouse in town closed, there would still be plenty of other food options available. While they may not all be our favorite choice, that certainly won’t stop us from eating!
Because moles can be very destructive, it is important to monitor your lawn and address problems quickly. The most telltale sign of a mole problem is the raised ridges they create by forming tunnels near the surface of the garden. You’ll also see the raised mounds of earth where they normally enter or exit their tunnels.
If it turns out that you have moles, there are professional services that can help you solve this problem.
Can I use grub control when planting?
The larvae control product that we use will not have any impact on the sowing. However, we usually apply grub control before you are planting anyway. Fall is the best time to sow your lawn. As we mentioned, grass grub control is typically applied in early summer during our third round of application.
There are times when that request may have been overlooked (such as a new client starting our program in late summer or fall). If we apply a control of late larvae, it will not have a negative impact on sowing.
Is grub control safe for pets and children?
When applied correctly, a lawn grub treatment is safe for pets and children. At Oasis Turf & Tree, we use a granular product, which is never a concern for pets and children. We are always paying attention to using safe and approved products and also applying them correctly.
Typically, the biggest concern for any lawn product is access to it in storage. If a pet or child ingests a product you had stored in the shed or garage, this could be cause for concern. This is a key reason why having your lawn treatments done by a professional is the safest option. They will ensure proper application and you will not be responsible for storing leftover product.
Is grass grub treatment safe for pollinators?
People also want to know if controlling the larvae is safe for bees and other pollinators. The answer depends on the product you are using.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we are as concerned as you are about preserving pollinator health. They are fundamental to the success of our natural environment. This is a key reason why we use a granular product that will have no impact on pollinator populations.
This is something we take seriously and appreciate that it is also a concern of many of our customers.
How much does larval control cost?
There is a lot of variation in the cost of grub control, depending on the type of product you are using.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, lawn grub control is included free of charge in all of our lawn care programs. However, we know that many lawn care companies offer this service as an add-on and therefore charge more for it.
We believe this is to the detriment of homeowners, as grub control is an essential service that should not be treated as an “extra.” We believe it is vital to act every year. Because we care deeply about the health of our customers’ lawns and do not want to risk grub damage, we decided to include free lawn grub control in our programs.
Is larval control necessary?
Yes, larval control is necessary. While some companies don’t include it in their programs, after reading this article you probably understand why it is so important. Grub damage can be very destructive to your lawn. If the larvae eat the roots, you could risk losing large areas or even your entire lawn.
Grub damage usually begins as brown spots on the lawn, where the grubs have destroyed the roots and the grass has died. But given the chance, the larvae will continue to feast as if your lawn were a 24-hour buffet.
Invest in a larvae control service
Grub control is an important service that we believe is imperative for a healthy lawn. It’s just not worth the risk of running out. Too many times we have seen homeowners take risks and regret it down the road.
If you choose Oasis Turf & Tree as your lawn care provider, you will also receive our free grub control service.
The biggest benefit of receiving grass grub control through Oasis Turf & Tree is the fact that we offer a guarantee. This is certainly not something that will happen with any store-bought product that you apply yourself! Our guarantee states that if your lawn suffers any damage due to grubs after we have applied our grub control, we will repair it at no cost to you.
Having the assurance that your lawn is protected is the added value that adding grub control to your overall lawn care program will mean to you.
If you would like more information about how our Lawn care programs can protect your property, contact us for a free consultation or call us at 513-697-9090 so we can answer any questions.
