How do I know if my lawn is infested with grubs?
You step outside one morning with your coffee, expecting to see the same healthy lawn you watered and mowed just days ago. But something’s off. The grass looks tired. There are yellow and brown patches where there shouldn’t be. You press your foot down, and the ground feels too soft. Then you pull at the grass, and it lifts like a cheap carpet. That’s the calling card of a grub infestation.
At Red Shovel Landscaping, we’ve seen what grubs can do. They start quietly beneath the surface, chewing away at the roots until your lawn collapses from the ground up. And by the time you notice, the damage has usually been going on for weeks.
Let’s talk about what to look for, how to tell if it’s grubs, and what we do to fix it.
What a Lawn Infested With Grubs Looks Like
Grubs are beetle larvae. Japanese beetles, June bugs, and chafer beetles are the most common. Their white, C-shaped bodies are about the size of a penny, and they live just below the surface of your lawn, feeding on the roots.
Here’s what their damage looks like:
1. Brown or Yellow Patches
At first, it might look like you missed a watering. The grass changes color and starts to die off in patches. But watering won’t fix this.
2. Grass That Lifts Easily
One of the most obvious signs. Grab a handful of grass near a brown patch and give it a tug. If it pulls up like sod, with no resistance and no roots, grubs have been feeding underneath.
3. Spongy, Soft Ground
Walk across the area. If it feels unusually soft, like a sponge or a trampoline, it’s because the roots are gone.
4. Increased Wildlife Activity
Skunks, raccoons, and birds love grubs. If you notice animals digging at night or pecking in one area, they might be doing the dirty work for you—just messier.
5. Dead Spots That Don’t Bounce Back
If you’ve been watering consistently and the patches aren’t recovering, it’s time to investigate below the surface.
When to Call Red Shovel Landscaping
You might be tempted to run to the garden center and grab a bag of something that says “grub control.” But the timing has to be right. The treatment has to match the stage the grubs are in. Too early or too late, and you’re wasting money and time.
Call us if:
- You see brown patches that spread quickly
- The grass lifts easily in sheets
- Animals are tearing up parts of the lawn
- You’ve treated in the past, but the issue keeps coming back
- You’re unsure if it’s grubs or fungus
- You want to stop the problem before seeding, sodding, or installing irrigation
We’ve handled pest issues on all kinds of properties, from small yards to expansive commercial lawns. We know what to look for and how to stop it.
Our Process: How We Handle a Grub Infestation
Step 1: Lawn Inspection
We walk the lawn with you. We check the problem areas, ask questions, and look at turf health, watering habits, and soil moisture.
Step 2: Check For Grubs
We cut out small patches of sod—usually about a square foot—and check the soil underneath. If we see more than five grubs, we’ve got a problem.
Step 3: Treatment Plan
Depending on the season and grub size, we use either a curative treatment (to kill active grubs) or a preventative treatment (to stop future ones from hatching). We also look at timing so we don’t apply too early or too late.
Step 4: Recovery Plan
If your lawn suffered a setback, we can help you rebuild it. That might mean reseeding, aeration, or adjusting your irrigation schedule to support root regrowth.
Step 5: Follow-Up
We don’t just spray and walk away. We come back to check progress, answer questions, and tweak the plan if needed.
FAQs
Can I have grubs and not know it?
Yes. Early-stage infestations don’t show surface damage. But the grubs are still feeding. That’s why seasonal checks matter, especially in late summer.
How many grubs are too many?
Finding 1–3 per square foot is usually okay. More than 5, and the damage can ramp up quickly.
Are grubs dangerous to people or pets?
No. Grubs don’t bite or sting. But the products used to treat them should be applied carefully, especially around kids and animals.
Is it too late to treat grubs in the fall?
It depends. Once they burrow deep for winter, treatment becomes less effective. That’s why late summer is the best time to act.
Do I need to treat every year?
If you’ve had a serious infestation once, there’s a good chance the beetles will return. Preventative care once a year can help stop the cycle.
Don’t Wait for Your Lawn to Collapse
Grub damage builds slowly, but it hits hard. By the time your lawn looks sick, the roots are already gone. And once the roots are gone, no amount of watering will bring it back.
At Red Shovel Landscaping, we catch these problems before they spiral. We spot the signs, treat fast, and help your grass recover the right way. If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait to figure it out next month. Give us a call. We’ll walk the yard with you, dig in, and fix what’s hiding beneath the surface. Your lawn doesn’t need to lose another inch to grubs. Let’s take it back—before they eat through the rest.
