Grub Treatment

Usz – posted 31 December 2002 07:48

How many people out there receive a grub treatment as part of their normal lawn service? My lawn company has always treated for grubs after damage occurs and is now changing their program to apply a pesticide in early spring(charging extra) to control the larve? Is this normal?

DuHon – posted 17 February 2003 12:22

Treating for grubs is common in some areas of the country- where are you. Generally speaking, the spring is too early to treat. If you get, or have a grub problem every year then treatment from a lawn company may bae the norm. Some things to ask your lawn company is: Which grub are you treating for – many types of grubs exist and they can be identified easily in the adult stage (beetle)ie. June bug, Masked chafer, etc.. (larvae are different) you have to look at their rear-end and different markings tell them apart from each other. Why are you treating now- make them tell you so they are not just tacking on an extra cost that goes to their bottom line. If they don’t know, you have your answer. Running a golf course for 15 years I waited until the first sign of damage.(yellowing grass and or these same areas if grabbed with your hand pull up quite easily. This occurs because the grubs have eaten the roots (their food to grow) and you will see them just under the surface of the grass you pulled up. Now would be a good time to treat because they are small and the treatment works well on juvinile and baby grubs. Make sure you water in the treatment so it gets through the thatch layer and down to the grub where it is actively feeding. You can treat early, before damage occurs but it is more expensive. But to do it in the spring is too ambiguous. Watch for adults in late spring digging into the turf- they are finding a place to lay eggs before they die. Generally, two to three weeks after this you will have eggs hatching and baby grubs. So treat shortly ater you see this behavior from the adult and you will get good control and have a minimum of damage. Temperatures vary and so should your treatment in response. Hope this helps.

frenchman – posted 17 February 2003 20:41

May to June is the best time to spray for grubs. But like the other guy said. Only do it if you are having problems with them. I only spray my tees and fairways every other year for grubs. So you can also do the same unless you have the money or if you keep having problems with the grubs each year.