You’ve worked hard on getting your lawns picture perfect for the summer. The green expanse is a place for kids to turn cartwheels, for pets to run around and for your clients to host summer barbecues. Don’t let grubs ruin that hard work and turn the green to brown this summer!

What are grubs?

Grubs are the larvae, or the immature forms, of beetles that begin their life cycle in July. Grubs feed on the roots of lawns, just a few inches below the surface. They can cause serious damage to your turf as the season goes on.

How do I prevent grub damage to my turf?

Applying an insecticide in June or July can help combat grubs before they cause damage to turf. Products containing imidacloprid as the active ingredient will work well on grubs in their early stages of development.

Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 75WSB is a systemic, water-soluble insecticide used for turf and ornamentals. It has low use rates for cost efficiency and effective control, with water-soluble bags that simplify measuring and mixing.

Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 0.5G is a granular insecticide, offering foliar and systemic control in turfgrass and ornamentals. Apply this insecticide via soil injection, drench or broadcast spray to get it to the soil, where grubs live. Stop them in their tracks before the damage can be done.

Aloft LC is an insecticide you can use for preventative or curative protection. Immediately kill grub activity with systemic properties that will last up to three months.

Why should I do an application in the spring?

If you don’t prevent grubs in the spring, you’ll start seeing damage to your turf in the summer and fall. By the end of July or in August, your grass will begin to turn brown and pull up easily—you’ll know it’s grubs, and not a fungus, because the grass pulls up easily.

Timing is crucial to the success of your preventative application. It’s easiest to prevent grub damage when the grubs are immature, so the late spring and early summer is the optimal time. If you apply too early, the insecticide may deteriorate prior to the grubs hatching; if you apply too late, the product may not be effective on the grubs further along in their development.

Read the label

Always read the label before making applications. The label contains important information for your safety, but is also a legal document with directions on application, storage and disposal. Learn more about the law of the label. 

If you have questions about insecticides, labels or anything else pertaining to grubs, bring them to your friendly Ewing Service Professionals. Your local Ewing can help you select the best insecticide option to prevent grub damage in your lawns and stay in compliance with Ewing Education Services classes.