Getting Rid of Grubs in Summer: Lawn Care Westerville, OH Specialists’ Tips
Grubs represent the larvae of the June beetle or the June bug. Their presence on your property is a sign that you should thoroughly consider an extensive pest evaluation, as these predators are there to stay. Their peak season is represented by the months of July and August when they unleash their maximum destructive potential. Grubs should not be taken lightly, as they are terrifying predators of everything green. This is why our lawn care Westerville, OH specialists and our lawn care Worthington, OH experts have a few tips, tricks and recommendations for you on grub control and deterrence.
How Do You Recognize Grubs?
These larvae look terrible, sporting a white-creamy color and a small size of ½ – 1 inch in length. At a closer look, you will see they have three pairs of legs and if you disturb them, they curl into a C shape. You may mistake them for small worms, but they are worse than that. Being almost invisible and easy to ignore, grubs thrive subtly underneath the lawn, feeding with grass roots. If left undeterred, they can damage your lawn to the point of no recoverability. They are voracious and hard to exterminate, therefore you will need all hands on deck in order to get rid of them.
How Can You Tell You Have a Grub Infestation on Your Lawn?
You should be particularly worried if you cultivate turf like Zoysia, Bermuda, Buffalo or St. Augustine – as these are the grasses grubs prefer the most – but they do attack other species as well.
Catch an early grub infestation by testing the soil under the lawn and the lawn itself. Your local lawn care Westerville, OH specialists can perform such soil tests to see how you stand.
Take a good look at your lawn every time you water or mow it. If you see random brown patches irregularly placed on the area, try to peel them off. If they can be removed as easy as a carpet, this is a sign that grubs may have infested the lawn.
Dig small random portions of the lawn (one square foot) and look under it. If you see in between 5 and 10 creamy small C shaped grubs crawling underneath the patch, it is time to call for the experts to employ proper grub control.
Grub Control Treatments
Just as it happens with other pests, grubs can be deterred by employing organic measures or chemical treatments. The latter are less recommended as they negatively impact the soil and damage the grasses, but if the infestation is extensive, your lawn care Westerville, OH specialists can tailor a treatment program for your lawn.
As organic approaches go, releasing beneficial nematodes into the soil or using organic pesticides usually manage to kill grubs before the damages become irreversible. Nematodes can be mixed with water and sprayed on the lawn so they can feed on the grubs, while Neem Oil (a botanical solution) can be used to water the lawn with. Your lawn care Westerville, OH experts can offer you the best advice and intervention programs depending on the seriousness of the infestation.