how to repair a lawn destroyed by grubs

How to Repair Lawn Damage From Grubs

• 1.. Remove dead grass with a rake. For thick thatch, use a spade to skim it off. Dispose of or compost the dead grass.
• 2.. Aerate your lawn. Hardware store and garden centers rent aerators. Follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.
• 3.. Choose a grass seed that matches your current lawn. Check the package for the rate of seed...

Full Answer

How do I get rid of grubs in my lawn?

Water all parts of the lawn that have undergone grub damage. Thoroughly water at least 10 minutes. Remove grass from the lawn that was infected by grubs. Peel grass back and roll it up. Deposit damaged grass in garbage bags. Turn over the soil with a rake or spade. Remove any grubs or grub larvae that appear when soil is turned over.

How do you repair the damage caused by grubs?

When grubs appear in your lawn, the damage can be extensive. How you repair the lawn can depend on the extent of the damage. The first step is to kill the grubs.

How do grubs damage your lawn?

Grubs damage lawns by eating the roots of the grass. When grubs appear in your lawn, the damage can be extensive. How you repair the lawn can depend on the extent of the damage. The first step is to kill the grubs. Once this has been accomplished, use a few basic procedures to repair the lawn and prevent grubs from returning the following season.

Can grass recover from grubs?

Yes, Grass can recover from grubs. However, is not the same grass that you see when the grubs are gone. Grass needs the nutrients that the grubs provide in order to grow. If the grubs are gone, the lawn is starved for these nutrients. The grass can recover from grubs, but the grass needs to be planted in a soil conditioner.

Will grass come back after grub damage?

Grub counts from six to 10 or more per square foot can damage and kill grass. Before you repair your lawn, treat any grub infestation using beneficial nematodes or pesticides allowed in your area. It is best to repair your grub-damaged lawn in the fall or early spring to restore it to its green glory.

How do you reseed after grub damage?

If reseeding a lawn after grub damage, an even 1/2-inch layer of topsoil on the cleared areas will help the grass seed find purchase. Moisten the topsoil before and after applying the new seed or moisten and apply seeds shortly before rainfall.

What does a lawn damaged by grubs look like?

When your yard is under attack by grubs, grass will thin and turn brown. This leads to visible larger brown patch areas in your yard. It's common to notice these odd-shaped brown patches in late summer or early fall. During this period, grubs amp up their eating, and the damaged and dead grass becomes more visible.

What do you do with a grub infested lawn?

How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Yard Naturally: 7 Treatment OptionsIntroduce natural predators to eat the grubs. Grubs have plenty of natural predators. ... Limit moisture. ... Use milky spore. ... Use neem oil or Azadirachtin. ... Introduce beneficial nematodes. ... Make a grub killer with borax. ... Dethatch and aerate your lawn. ... Carbaryl.More items...•

Does grass recover from grubs?

Just simply tug on areas of your turf and look underneath. Since grubs feed on root systems, the grass will pull up like a piece of new sod and the grubs won't be hard to find.

Can you put down grass seed after using grub killer?

Yes, you can apply GrubEX and grass seed at the same time with no ill effects. GrubEX is a pure insecticide and its active ingredient has no known effects on plant life.

Do grubs come back every year?

In November, the grubs tunnel deep in the soil for the Winter. The grubs come back up to the surface in early May and eat a little longer. In early to mid-June, the grubs build an in-ground “cocoon” and transform into beetles that emerge from the soil and start the process over again.

Is it too late to treat for grubs?

By the time damage is apparent it is much too late for preventive white grub products such as Merit and Grub-X. These must be applied before mid-August. Insecticides must be watered in to be effective.

What is the best time to treat for grubs?

Treating in late summer or early fall is ideal, as that is when the smaller, young grubs are most susceptible to nematodes. There is also usually a short window for application in early spring before the grubs get too big and pupate, but that is a narrower window and can be difficult to time properly.

What attracts grubs to your lawn?

Grubs are attracted to healthy, thick grass. Healthy grass means a healthy root system, which is what the grubs feed on as soon as they hatch. The higher the concentration of larvae, the more severe your lawn damage will be.

How do you reseed a damaged lawn?

3:566:37Renovating a Lawn by Reseeding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBuy a few more pounds than needed in case you need to do some spot seating. Later apply seed in atMoreBuy a few more pounds than needed in case you need to do some spot seating. Later apply seed in at least two directions. The goal is to get the seed uniformly distributed.

What is the best treatment for grubs?

There are two chemicals, carbaryl and trichlorfon, that are considered curative treatments. They are short-lived compounds that kill all life stages of grubs. These two insecticides are the only options if high numbers of grubs are found in the fall and in spring before early May.

Do grubs come back every year?

In November, the grubs tunnel deep in the soil for the Winter. The grubs come back up to the surface in early May and eat a little longer. In early to mid-June, the grubs build an in-ground “cocoon” and transform into beetles that emerge from the soil and start the process over again.

How do you reseed a damaged lawn?

3:566:37Renovating a Lawn by Reseeding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBuy a few more pounds than needed in case you need to do some spot seating. Later apply seed in atMoreBuy a few more pounds than needed in case you need to do some spot seating. Later apply seed in at least two directions. The goal is to get the seed uniformly distributed.

What is the best time to treat for grubs?

Treating in late summer or early fall is ideal, as that is when the smaller, young grubs are most susceptible to nematodes. There is also usually a short window for application in early spring before the grubs get too big and pupate, but that is a narrower window and can be difficult to time properly.

Is it too late to treat for grubs?

By the time damage is apparent it is much too late for preventive white grub products such as Merit and Grub-X. These must be applied before mid-August. Insecticides must be watered in to be effective.

How to apply granular fertilizer to lawn?

Use a drop spreader to apply a slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for lawns before a scheduled watering. Follow the package directions for the amount to use to cover your entire lawn. Pour the measured fertilizer into the spreader and push the spreader over your lawn in rows, covering the entire lawn. Follow along the wheel lines the spreader makes to ensure full coverage. Go across the lawn again at a right angle to the first rows.

How to keep your lawn healthy?

Walk the aerator across your lawn like a mower, covering the whole area with at least one pass. Aerating keeps your lawn healthier and allows treatments to absorb better, which prevents the extent of insect damage in the future and gives you quicker growth in damaged areas.

What is the cause of dead grass in the fall?

If you have patches of dead grass that show up in the fall or spring, they are likely caused by grubs. Grub counts from six to 10 or more per square foot can damage and kill grass. Before you repair your lawn, treat any grub infestation using beneficial nematodes ...

How to grow grass from seed?

Cover the seeded areas with a thin layer of straw to protect the seeds from the sun and pests. Irrigate the entire lawn to germinate the grass seed and strengthen existing grass. Keep the soil moist for approximately two weeks until the seed grows.

How do grubs damage lawns?

Grubs damage lawns by eating the roots of the grass. When grubs appear in your lawn, the damage can be extensive. How you repair the lawn can depend on the extent of the damage. The first step is to kill the grubs. Once this has been accomplished, use a few basic procedures to repair the lawn and prevent grubs from returning the following season.

How to get rid of grubs in soil?

Turn over the soil with a rake or spade. Remove any grubs or grub larvae that appear when soil is turned over.

How to keep grass seed from getting too dry?

Water the lawn again. Grass seed stays better in soil that is moist.

What insecticide kills grubs?

Ask an expert what insecticide would be appropriate for killing grub in its larvae stages. A product called Mach 2 , for instance, is considered very effective at killing white grub larvae. Apply the insecticide for at least one more year in the spring.

How to keep seeds in place in a lawn?

Place a layer of straw over the lawn to hold seed in place. You can also place an erosion mat over a damaged area. An erosion mat is made of a biodegradable material. The mat allows water and sun to get in while holding the seeds in place.

When is the best time to reseed a lawn?

The best time to re-seed a lawn is during the spring. Instead of seeding the lawn, you can consider laying sod. If grubs keep coming back, consult an expert to find out if a different kind of grass will be more grub resistant.

Can you water grass seed with a hose?

Do not water grass seed with a hose. The stream from the hose can scatter the seed.

What do grubs do to your lawn?

As soon as winter ends, these worms become active when warmth kicks in. They start to damage your lawn by eating grass roots at a high rate. Grubs are larvae of June bugs, May bugs and Japanese beetles. If you fail to identify and kill lawn grubs on time, they’ll develop into pupae, and later into full-grown beetles.

Why do grubs kill grass?

Grubs kill grass because they feed on the roots. If the damage is extensive, it may be difficult to attempt reviving the grass successfully.

How to check for grub worms?

Take a shovel and dig a square foot about 3 inches deep and lift the turf to check for grub worms. If you find one or two grubs is normal and healthy, but if you find 5 or more grubs, you have a grub worm infestation that needs treatment to prevent further damage to your turfgrass.

What are the white grub worms in my lawn?

The white grub worms in your lawn are a larval stage of scarab beetles. As soon as winter ends, these worms become active when warmth kicks in. They start to damage your lawn by eating grass roots at a high rate.

How to tell if grubs are in my lawn?

Irregular brown patches of dying grass are the first sign. If you see the patches, lift the turf to check for the grub worms.

How to control grubs?

The best way to control grubs is to target them either as grub worms or when they’re adults and prevent them from laying eggs. Chemical as well as natural organic options I’ve discussed below are great at killing grubs.

Why is my lawn turning brown?

A lawn that’s developing brown patches and showing signs of weakening could be suffering from disease. Fungal infections commonly produce brown spots, but even white grubs in your lawn can cause similar signs.

What to do about grubs?

No matter what your lawn looks like, if you are finding lots of grub activity you’ll want to apply a corrective grub control application. This is not the same material used earlier in the year for prevention. This granular material is a quick-control material with little to no residual activity. You will need to water it in thoroughly. Remember, those grubs are down a couple inches below the grass, so you’ll want to dissolve the granular material and get it down there to work. Water it in as soon as possible. Some materials start to lose their effectiveness if not watered in within 24-48 hours.

When to apply grub control on lawn?

You can’t prevent nature from doing its thing. However, if you think ahead, you can apply a preventive grub control application on your lawn in late spring or early summer, and say goodbye to your grub woes.

What should you look for with grubs?

There are a few telltale signs to look for. Most times, lawn areas start to lose color compared to others. Sometimes there are holes dug in the lawn as birds, skunks, and other animals dig to get their “grub” on. In a year when there is drought, some areas just simply won’t green back up, leaving property owners suspicious about what is going on.

What is preventive grub control?

Preventive grub control is an application almost every lawn care program should include, or have added to it. Make sure you’re covered each year so grubs don’t destroy your lawn again.

How to tell if a grub is in your lawn?

Grub damage is easy to diagnose. Just simply tug on areas of your turf and look underneath. Since grubs feed on root systems, the grass will pull up like a piece of new sod and the grubs won’t be hard to find. The more grubs you find in a square foot, the worse your problem is. Even if grass is still green, you could still have grub damage, so start hunting and inspecting areas of your lawn. Some years with ample rainfall and mild temperatures will keep the grass growing as grubs are feeding. But make no mistake, it’s time for you to do something about these devastating lawn pests.

What is grub damage?

Category: Lawn Care. Grub damage on lawns is one of the easiest types of lawn stresses to diagnose. Late in summer or early fall, property owners often suspect there is a problem with an area of their lawn. Here is more information on what to do when grubs kill your lawn.

How long does it take for grubs to get down?

Water it in as soon as possible. Some materials start to lose their effectiveness if not watered in within 24-48 hours.

How to reseed lawn after grub damage?

If reseeding a lawn after grub damage, an even 1/2-inch layer of topsoil on the cleared areas will help the grass seed find purchase. Moisten the topsoil before and after applying the new seed or moisten and apply seeds shortly before rainfall. Cover the seeded areas with a layer of hay to shield them from the sun and prevent drying out.

When to inspect lawn for grubs?

Inspecting your lawn in the spring and catching a grub infestation early is the best way to avoid extensive damage to your lawn and to prevent a later infestation of fully grown beetles. Regardless of when you discover the problem, you can quickly address it in a variety of ways and at a variety of price points.

What insecticides kill grubs?

MSN explains that there are two basic types of insecticides that target grubs: granule and spray. Granule grub killer is best applied while the lawn is dry but if heavy rainfall or watering is expected within the next few days. Spray grub killer is best applied while the lawn is already wet and further rain or watering is expected shortly.

How many grubs per square foot?

If replacing with new sod, check for grubs in the new sod to avoid reinfesting your lawn. The same metric of five or more grubs per square foot indicates an infestation, while fewer than five grubs is generally acceptable. Cut deep enough into the existing lawn so that the new sod lays even with the existing sod. Water the new sod several times a day until signs of growth indicate that the patch has taken.

Is a spray insecticide better than a granule?

It is important to consider your climate, the season, the plants in the area of application and the urgency when selecting the best grub killer for your unique situation. If you are in the middle of a rainy season, for example, a spray insecticide would be a better choice than a granule insecticide.

Is it safe to use natural pesticides on lawns?

As explained by Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, natural remedies, like beneficial nematodes, are safer to use. However, they do not take effect as quickly nor can they address intense infestations like the chemical treatments can do. While natural pesticides are often marketed as healthier, they can be just as dangerous as synthetics if not handled appropriately, explains Pest Control FAQ. Consider your situation, your needs and what pesticides you have available to you.

Can grubs eat grass roots?

Grub damage to grass roots is a common but fixable problem. Reseeding a lawn after grub damage is necessary whenever you have a grub infestation. Caused by the larval form of various species of beetles hatching underground and eating grass roots, Tomlinson Bomberger explains that the infestation can be identified by patches ...

How to control grubs in grass?

However, the most common way to control the infestation is to use a commercial solution. These commercial products contain various chemicals which help kill off the grubs.

What happens if GRUBs are gone?

Grass needs the nutrients that the grubs provide in order to grow. If the grubs are gone, the lawn is starved for these nutrients. The grass can recover from grubs, but the grass needs to be planted in a soil conditioner.

Why is my lawn brown?

Grubs can cause the turf to have brown spots and patches of dead grass. This problem can occur on a lawn all year long. Grubs will start to feed on the ground after the grass is dead, which allows them to feed on the nutrients in the grass. The best time to weed out dead grass is winter.

How to grow grass back after a freeze?

In order for grass to be able to grow back after a winter freeze, it must have sufficient nutrients. Grubs will not consume this, so it is essential for plants to receive enough nutrients to survive. If a plant is not receiving enough nitrogen and phosphorous, it will die.

Why doesn't my grass grow back after a freeze?

One of the biggest reasons that grass does not grow back after a winter freeze is because of the cold temperatures. The grass has to get all of its nutrients, and especially the minerals, from the soil. Without them, the grass will die. Soil that is too dry can not provide the right amount of nutrients, while wet soil can only provide less ...

Why is fertilization important for grass?

Fertilization can help to keep the grass healthy and looking green.

How long does it take for grass to recover from a freeze?

In the end, it will probably take more than three to four years for grass to fully recover from a winter freeze. However, if you are trying to save money by planting grass ...