Are you noticing dead, brown patches in your lawn or grass that look like they’ve been peeled back or torn up?
If so, you could have a grub problem!
While grubs are tiny lawn invaders, they can do some serious damage – and fast!
To save your lawn, you’ve got to attack them quickly.
Here at The Pest Dude, we’ve been helping homeowners learn to do their own pest control for over 20 years and compiled our top grub control tips into this blog.
Key Takeaways
- To get rid of lawn grubs, use eco-friendly solutions like beneficial nematodes or milky spore, or rely on conventional methods like pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) tactics.
- Keep your lawn healthy by watering and mowing it properly to prevent grub infestations.
- Use chemical treatments in late summer or early fall when grubs are most vulnerable for quicker results.
- If you need extra help getting rid of grubs, contact the Pest Dude: (844) 532-0076.
Before You Get Started
Make Sure You’re Dealing With Grubs

Before you go to war against grubs, make sure they’re the ones damaging your lawn!
How to do this:
- Start by checking your yard for signs of grub damage, such as brown patches, wilting grass, or birds and animals digging around (this is one of the later signs of a grub infestation).
- You can even dig up a bit of soil to check for grubs (They’re typically white, C-shaped larvae with soft bodies and six legs near their heads).
- They can vary slightly in size, but most are about half an inch to an inch long. If you find any of these little pests, it’s super important to act quickly to keep the infestation from getting worse.
Time Your Treatment
The best time to treat lawn grubs is the late summer and early fall when they’re small and close to the soil surface.
Treating your lawn during these times helps prevent grubs from growing any larger and causing serious damage.
Also, keep an eye on the weather; applying treatments before heavy rain can help them soak into the soil better.
How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Lawn
Eco-friendly Grub Control Methods
1. Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are a great organic and eco-friendly way to control grub populations.
These tiny, worm-like organisms occur naturally in the soil.
They target and go after grubs and infect them with bacteria, helping keep their numbers in check.
Tips:
- Buy beneficial nematodes (like these) from a garden center or online.
- Mix the nematodes with water according to the package instructions.
- Spray the mixture evenly on your lawn using a garden sprayer or watering can.
- Apply nematodes in the spring or early fall.
- Keep the soil moist before and after application for the best results.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly and safe for humans, pets, and beneficial insects.
- Targets a wide range of soil pests.
Cons:
- May require multiple applications for full effectiveness.
- Results can vary depending on environmental conditions.
2. Milky Spore
Milky spore is a naturally occurring bacterium, Bacillus popilliae, that targets Japanese beetle grubs.
Once the grubs ingest it, the bacterium multiplies inside them, killing them quickly and spreading the spore into the soil.
Tips:
- Scatter the milky spore powder uniformly across your lawn, manually or with a lawn spreader.
- For best results, apply in spring and early fall.
- Lightly water the treated areas to help the spores settle into the soil.
Pros:
- Offers long-term benefits as the spore persists in the soil for several years.
- Highly specific to Japanese beetle grubs, minimizing risks to other beneficial organisms.
Cons:
- Takes time to establish and become fully effective.
- Restricted to regions where Japanese beetles are prevalent.
- The powder formula isn’t ideal for windy days.
3. Lawn Aeration
Lawn aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the roots.
It also reduces grub habitat by improving drainage and making the soil less appealing for beetles looking to lay eggs.
Tips:
- Aerate the lawn with a manual or mechanical aerator.
- Focus primarily on areas with visible grub damage.
- Aerate in spring and fall – when grass roots are actively growing.
Pros:
- Improves the overall health of the lawn, promoting stronger grass that can outcompete weeds and pests.
- Enhances soil structure and drainage, reducing water runoff and compaction.
Cons:
- Does not directly kill grubs, so it should be part of an integrated pest management approach.
- Time-consuming and may require specialized equipment rental.
4. Excess Thatch Reduction
Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic material that accumulates on the soil surface beneath living grass.
While a thin layer can benefit insulation and moisture retention, thick layers provide a safe hiding place for developing grub eggs and larvae.
Because of this, getting rid of thatch is a great way to minimize grub habitat on your property.
Tips:
- Use a rake, dethatching machine, or vertical mower to dethatch your lawn.
- Focus your detaching efforts during the cooler seasons of late spring or early fall.
Pros:
- Makes it easier for grass to absorb nutrients, water, and air.
- Reduces the habitat for grubs and other pests.
Cons:
- Can be labor-intensive and might require specialized equipment.
- Dethatching too aggressively or at the wrong time can damage your lawn.
5. Tall Fescue Grass
Tall fescue grass is a cool-season variety known for its versatility, drought resistance, and robustness.
We love to recommend fescue grass because it establishes a deep root system that makes it more resilient to harsh conditions and less susceptible to damage by grubs.
Tips:
- Prepare the soil by removing weeds and debris.
- Spread tall fescue seeds evenly over your lawn.
- For best results, plant in early fall or spring.
- Ensure the area receives ample water to encourage seed germination and development.
Pros:
- Tolerates heat and drought better than many other cool-season grasses.
- Establishes quickly, providing a dense, lush lawn that minimizes weed invasion.
Cons:
- May require regular watering and fertilization to maintain its best appearance.
- Can be susceptible to certain fungal diseases if not properly managed.
Chemical Grub Control Methods
1. Grub-Specific Insecticides
Grub-specific insecticides contain ingredients like pyrethroids designed to disrupt the grub lifecycle, killing them when they come into contact with the insecticide.
Tips:
- Apply grub-specific insecticides in late summer when grubs are most active and feeding near the soil surface.
- Water the lawn well before applying the insecticide – this is a great way to encourage grubs to come closer to the surface.
- Water the lawn again after applying the insecticide to make sure it sinks into the soil.
- Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any pesticide you use!
- Use a broadcast spreader or sprayer to ensure even distribution across the affected area.
- Avoid applying on windy or rainy days to prevent drift and runoff for better effectiveness.
Pros:
- Quickly reduces grub populations, minimizing damage to roots.
- Easy to apply using common tools like broadcast spreaders or sprayers.
- Targets the specific issue of grub infestations effectively.
Cons:
- Can harm helpful soil organisms and insects, which may disrupt the ecosystem.
- May contaminate nearby water sources.
- Some insecticides may require multiple applications to be effective, leading to higher costs and more labor.
- Excessive pesticide use can disrupt natural predators and lead to more grubs over time.
2. Avoiding Overuse of Fertilizers and Broad-Spectrum Pesticides
Using fewer fertilizers and pesticides helps keep your lawn’s ecosystem healthy and balanced.
Over-fertilizing and using too many pesticides can weaken the grass and encourage grub infestations by harming natural predators and soil health.
Tips:
- Start by conducting a soil test to determine your lawn’s nutrient needs. This way, you can add only what’s necessary rather than over-fertilizing.
- Choose balanced fertilizers to encourage strong root growth, which helps your grass resist grub feeding better.
- Always follow the recommended application rates on fertilizer and pesticide labels to prevent overuse.
- Instead of applying chemicals broadly, target specific problem areas to reduce chemical use.
- Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that combine cultural, mechanical, and biological methods to reduce reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.
- Regularly aerate your lawn, mow properly, and water adequately to naturally decrease the need for chemical treatments.
Pros:
- Using fewer chemicals means less runoff, which helps protect nearby water bodies from contamination.
- Applying fertilizers and insecticides less often saves money and promotes long-term lawn health.
- It encourages beneficial microorganisms and insects, creating a strong ecosystem that naturally keeps pests away.
- This approach supports sustainable gardening by maintaining the lawn’s natural biodiversity and resilience.
Cons:
- Cutting back on chemicals might not give quick results, so patience is needed to see improvements.
- It may require more manual labor and alternative pest control methods, like monitoring and mechanical techniques.
- You’ll need a deeper understanding of lawn care and pest management to achieve good results without chemicals.
When to Call in a Pest Control Expert
Sometimes, getting professional help for grub control is necessary.
If you see large patches of brown or dead grass that are easy to pull up, it may indicate root damage from grubs.
Additionally, sightings of birds or raccoons digging in your lawn can be a sign they’re looking for grubs, meaning there’s a bigger problem you need to take care of right away!
When you call in a professional team, they’ll start with a detailed inspection to determine the extent of the infestation.
Then, they use targeted treatments with advanced, eco-friendly products that control grubs at all stages without harming helpful organisms.
They also provide preventative strategies tailored to your lawn, ensuring both immediate and long-term solutions.
Don’t Let Grubs Destroy Your Lawn – Contact the Pest Dude Today!
Managing grubs is important to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful.
Sometimes, though, you don’t want to do it all on your own!
Here at The Pest Dude, we work with a nationwide network of skilled, reliable pest control professionals.
Call us at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll connect you with an expert in your area who can help you resolve your grub problems!

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Give us a call today to receive your free, no-obligation pest control quote.
DIY Pest Control FAQs
Grubs are the larval stage of critters like Japanese beetles, June beetles, and European chafers.
They usually have soft, C-shaped bodies about .5″-1″ long and are white or cream-colored.
Grubs live in the soil and feed on the roots of your lawn, which can seriously damage your landscaping.
Grubs start their life cycle when adult beetles lay eggs in the soil during summer.
The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on turf grass roots throughout late summer and early fall and are most common from September to whenever the ground freezes (if it does, in your area).
As the weather gets colder, the grubs burrow deeper into the soil to survive the chilly winter months.
In spring, they come back to the root zone to keep feeding until they change into pupae and eventually emerge as adult beetles, starting the cycle all over again.
Grubs mainly damage lawns by eating grass roots, leading to dead patches of grass that are easy to pull up because the roots are weakened.
This creates unsightly brown spots on your lawn.
Plus, when wildlife digs for grubs, it can make your lawn look even worse and affect its health.
Grubs are usually drawn to healthy, well-watered lawns.
One of the main reasons for grub infestations is the presence of adult beetles laying eggs.
Plus, the moisture and temperature of the soil can also attract grubs.
Preventing lawn grubs usually requires a mix of techniques.
Keeping your lawn healthy with proper fertilization, mowing, and watering can make it harder for grubs to set up shop. Still, you’ll likely also need to use beneficial nematodes or milky spore to control grub populations.
Sometimes, you may even need to resort to pesticides to knock down the already existing infestation.
No—grubs probably won’t go away on their own, especially if your yard continues to provide the conditions for them to thrive!
While natural predators and bad weather can lower their numbers, the best way to manage grub populations is to take preventative steps and conduct routine inspections.