Why You Need Grub Control this Spring…
The mild winter we’ve had in Bucks County might have seemed like a pleasant break from the usual cycle of freezing temperatures and gray skies. Most of us were too busy looking forward to warmer weather to think about what that weather means for our grub control.
However, there’s a pest lurking under the ground that loves warm temperatures as much as we do…
What are grubs? Why are they bad for my lawn?
Lawn Grubs (also known as White Grubs) are the immature form of different Scarab Beetles, such as Japanese Beetles, June bugs (beetles) or the European Chafers. These white, crescent-shaped creatures have soft bodies with legs near the head. They feed on grassroots and organic matter in the soil, causing sections of your grass to die. Eventually, grubs turn into adult beetles and emerge from the soil to mate and lay eggs.
Cold and icy winters are part of nature’s cycle for controlling these pests in Bucks County. The freezing temperatures kill off many insects that hibernate through the season, resulting in fewer pests waking up in the spring to do damage to your yard.
The problem is, the mild winter we’ve had may not have been frigid enough to kill off the hibernating grubs.
How can I tell if I need grub control?
Clear indicators of a grub problem normally do not come until fall. One indicator is brown patches of grass that can be peeled up in chunks much like a carpet. This happens because grubs eat the grassroots, so the dead grass can be easily pulled up. Sometimes you can detect sponginess before the brown patches appear. Sponginess may be the first clue that Grubs are present if your lawn is well-watered.
Using these visual clues, grubs are easy to spot close-up, as their light color is easily distinguishable against brown dirt. Most live up to two inches below the surface and a small hand tool can be used to reveal those deeper in the dirt. Any more than four grubs per square foot of grass is considered unhealthy for your lawn and extensive lawn damage could result if grub control is not implemented promptly.
How can we help?
With over 35 years of experience, we’ve provided grub control all over Bucks County and have seen first hand how mild winters affect the grub population. Let our experts keep your yard beautiful year-round, get a quote today!