What Are Grub Worms

Grub worms are the larvae of a variety of beetles. In the Southeast, the most common is the Japanese beetle. Grubs are C-shaped worms, typically cream-colored, white, or grayish-white with an orange-brown head. They inhabit your turf in the root zone, just below the soil surface.

Grubs feed on the root system of your turf and tend to cause the most problems during August, September, and October.

There are several noticeable signs of a grub worm infestation in your turf:

• A drought-like wilting of your turf, even during periods of rain. Left unchecked, grubs will cause dead, brown patches that spread rapidly.

• Turf is easy to pull up by hand. It will lift in sheets, as if you had just installed new sod.

• If you’re digging in your garden and come across one or two grub worms in a square foot of soil, there’s probably no reason for concern. However, if you find four or five in that same space, you have a population that needs controlling.

• A flock of birds (especially starlings) or small mammals tearing up your turf to feed on grubs is a sure sign of infestation.

Because grub worms attack the root system, they will eventually destroy your turf if left untreated. They can be controlled through applications of insecticides, but for these to be effective, they must soak through the entire soil profile to reach the grubs at the root level. Thoroughly watering your turf after insecticide application is essential for success.

Contact us if you think you may have a grub problem.