Grubs are one of the most damaging—and misunderstood—lawn pests. Because they live below the surface, many homeowners don’t realize they have a grub problem until their lawn starts to fail.
The good news: once you know what to look for and when to act, grubs are very preventable—especially with the right treatment plan.
Here’s how to identify grubs, understand the damage they cause, and protect your lawn naturally.
What Are Grubs?
Grubs are the larval stage of beetles, most commonly Japanese beetles, June beetles, or European chafers. They live just below the surface of your lawn, feeding on grassroots as they grow.
They’re typically:
- White or cream-colored
- C-shaped
- About ½ to 1 inch long
Because they feed underground, you usually don’t see the grubs themselves—only the damage they leave behind.
How to Tell If You Have Grubs
Grub damage often gets mistaken for drought stress or disease. A few tell-tale signs make it easier to identify:
Common signs of grubs:
- Irregular brown or dead patches that don’t improve with watering
- Spongy turf that feels loose underfoot
- Grass that peels back easily, almost like a carpet
- Increased animal activity (skunks, raccoons, birds) digging for food
A simple test: grab a section of turf in a damaged area and gently pull. If it lifts easily and you see grubs underneath, you’ve found the problem.
Why Grubs Are So Damaging
Grubs feed directly on the roots of your grass, cutting off the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Even a healthy lawn can decline quickly once roots are compromised.
Left untreated, grubs can cause:
- Large dead patches
- Thinning or bare areas
- Weakened turf that invites weeds
- Costly lawn repair or reseeding
Preventing grubs isn’t just about avoiding damage—it’s about protecting the investment you’ve already made in your lawn.
When Do Grubs Appear?
Grub activity follows a predictable seasonal pattern:
- Late spring–early summer: Adult beetles lay eggs in lawns
- Mid to late summer: Eggs hatch; young grubs begin feeding
- Late summer–early fall: Grubs are most active and destructive
- Winter: Grubs burrow deeper and go dormant
This timing matters. The best window for treatment is when grubs are young, before they’ve caused serious root damage.
Had Grubs Last Year? Expect Them Again
If your lawn had grubs last year—especially if they weren’t treated—the odds are high they’ll return.
That’s because:
- Adult beetles often lay eggs in the same lawns year after year
- Untreated grubs mature and continue the cycle
- Damaged turf becomes more vulnerable to repeat infestations
This is why prevention matters. Planning ahead with a seasonal grub treatment can stop the cycle before damage starts.
Why Harsh Chemical Grub Treatments Aren’t Ideal
Traditional grub treatments rely on broad-spectrum synthetic chemicals that don’t just target grubs.
Common drawbacks:
- Can harm beneficial insects and soil life
- May pose risks to pets, kids, and pollinators
- Often require precise timing and professional application
- Focus on killing pests—not supporting long-term lawn health
In short, they solve one problem while creating others.
A Smarter, Natural Approach: Yard Patrol Grub Control
Yard Patrol Grub Control by Lawnbright takes a different approach.
Instead of harsh chemicals, it uses naturally derived ingredients like cedar oil to:
- Disrupt the grub life cycle
- Deter feeding and development
-
Protect grassroots without damaging soil health
It’s designed to work with your lawn—not against it—and fits seamlessly into a proactive lawn care plan.
For homeowners who want strong protection without harsh inputs, it’s a smarter way to keep grubs in check.
Grub Control FAQs
What exactly are lawn grubs?
Lawn grubs are the larval stage of beetles like Japanese beetles and June beetles. They live beneath the surface of your lawn and feed on grassroots, which weakens or kills the grass above them.
Are grubs bad for my lawn?
Yes. Grubs damage lawns by destroying the root system, which prevents grass from absorbing water and nutrients. Even small infestations can lead to brown patches, thinning turf, and dead areas if left untreated.
How many grubs are too many?
As a general rule:
- 5 or more grubs per square foot can cause noticeable damage
- 10+ grubs per square foot often results in severe lawn decline
Because damage happens underground, prevention is usually easier—and less expensive—than repair.
When is the best time to treat for grubs?
The best time to treat grubs is mid-summer through early fall, when newly hatched grubs are feeding near the surface. Treating early helps stop damage before roots are destroyed.
If you wait until late fall or spring, grubs are often deeper in the soil and harder to control.
If my lawn looks fine, do I still need grub control?
Possibly. Grubs can be present before visible damage appears. Many homeowners don’t realize they have grubs until significant root damage has already occurred.
If you:
- Had grubs in past years
- Live in an area prone to beetles
- Want to prevent future lawn stress
a proactive treatment is the safest approach.
Will grubs come back every year?
They often do—especially if your lawn had grubs previously and wasn’t treated.
Adult beetles tend to lay eggs in the same lawns year after year. Without prevention, the cycle repeats and damage can worsen over time.
What’s the difference between grub damage and drought stress?
Grub damage often looks like drought stress, but there are key differences:
- Grub-damaged grass pulls up easily because roots are gone
- Watering doesn’t improve grub damage
- You may see animals digging in the lawn for food
If grass doesn’t rebound after watering, grubs are a likely culprit.
Are chemical grub treatments safe?
Traditional grub treatments rely on synthetic insecticides that can:
- Harm beneficial insects and soil organisms
- Pose risks to pets and children if misapplied
- Disrupt long-term soil health
They may kill grubs, but they don’t support a healthy lawn ecosystem.
How does natural grub control work?
Natural grub control focuses on disrupting the grub life cycle instead of using harsh chemicals. Ingredients like cedar oil deter feeding and development while being gentler on soil, beneficial insects, and surrounding plants.
This approach helps protect your lawn now—and keep it healthier long term.
Can I use grub control alongside my regular lawn care?
Yes. Grub control works best as part of a seasonal lawn care plan, especially when combined with proper fertilization, mowing, and watering.
Many homeowners choose to add grub control to their Lawnbright plan so protection is built in automatically during the right time of year.
Do I need professional service to treat grubs?
No. Lawnbright’s grub control is designed for easy, DIY application, so homeowners can protect their lawn without scheduling professional treatments or handling harsh chemicals.