Grub worms or lawn grubs are pesky invaders that make a home in the ground and nibble on grass roots and soil. These insects are small and look similar to a curled shrimp. They have translucent bodies and often grow to half an inch to a full inch in length. Although these pests may not seem malicious at first glance, they can quickly impact your lawn’s integrity and become an eyesore among your greenery.

Here, find everything you need to know about Maryland grubs, including the most common species, their lifecycles, infestation signs and symptoms and how you can regain control of your lawn care.

Understanding the Lifecycle of Maryland Lawn Pests

Understanding the different types of grubs and their lifecycles is an essential step in tackling pesky lawn beetles and larvae. The most common types of grubs you might see in Maryland are:

May or June beetles: White grubs have three pairs of legs and brown heads. These insects often rest in a C-shape.
Japanese beetles: Japanese beetle larvae typically have visible legs and tanned, light brown. You can often identify them from their hairy spines.
Oriental beetles: Oriental grubs are very similar to Japanese beetle grubs. You can typically tell them apart because Oriental species have parallel rows of bristle-like setae.
Masked chafer beetles: The larvae of masked chafers are also white and have translucent, dark stripes with an off-white body.

These insects typically have a lifecycle of around 12 months, with the exception of the May or June beetle, which can live for about three years. Although local weather can impact when grubs emerge, general grub lifecycles will resemble these stages:

Adult beetles lay eggs in the summer in the ground.
The grubs hatch and begin feeding on roots until cooler temperatures in the winter drive them a few inches deeper into the ground.
As early spring weather arrives, the grubs move closer to the surface until they are mature.
Grubs pupate in late spring, typically between May and early June, with the exception of northern masked chafers and Japanese beetles, which emerge from mid-June to mid-July.
May or June beetles spend around three years feeding on roots before emerging as adults in late summer.

Identifying Grub Infestation Signs and Symptoms

There are several ways you can determine if you have a grub infestation. Early detection will be crucial for preserving the integrity of your grass, but you must assess your level of damage to determine the best corrective actions to take.

Early Detection Techniques

There are several natural indicators that can help you identify an infestation. Grubs can cause unique and abnormal damage on your lawn and prompt other critters to appear on your property. Look for these signs in your lawn:

Seeing the grubs: Naturally, one of the most obvious signs of an infestation is if you see the grubs. Although it’s normal to see one or two grubs on your lawn, you don’t want to see large populations gathering around. You can check for grubs by digging small spots on your lawn that you think grubs might be populating. If you detect five or more grubs per square foot, you know you have an infestation.
Beetles or moths flying near grass level: Grubs become adult beetles toward the end of their lifecycles. If you notice several beetle species hovering over your yard, there’s a good chance they’ve laid eggs that will grow into harmful pests.
Brown patches: Although many factors can lead to brown patches in your lawn, they are also a tell-tale sign of grub damage. If you spot dead spots and other signs of infestation, you should begin a grub treatment right away.

Other animals are appearing: Some animals, like skunks, birds and raccoons, like to feed on grubs. If you’re seeing a suspicious amount of new pests passing through the grass, you might have grubs prompting them to appear. These animals can also cause unique issues of their own, making it crucial to address this issue promptly.
Grass feels loose or bouncy: Another natural symptom of an infestation is bouncy or loose grass. If your grass feels spongy when you step on it, you could have some underground damage from grubs, making the grass brittle.

Assessing Lawn Damage

Lawn damage often occurs when populations surpass six to 10 grubs per square foot on fine fescue, rye or bluegrass laws or eight to 15 grubs on tall fescue lawns. It’s best to catch grub infestations as early as possible to save the integrity of your lawn, but sometimes damage occurs before you realize there’s a problem.

Soft spots indicate that the grass roots have lost support, making the grass weak. Your grass will turn yellow before it dies, which some people may confuse with a drought effect. After the grass dies, you might notice a dirt spot appear throughout your yard. Depending on the damage in your lawn, you may need to take several steps to clear the infestation and get your lawn back to a healthy green.

The Top Organic Grub Control Solutions

Preventive products are most effective at keeping lawns healthy and mitigating the presence of grubs. You can actually use certain native plants to keep grubs away. Planting diverse species of flowers and other greenery can attract natural predators to these grubs predators, which can prevent their population from growing and causing problems on your property.

However, if you have a persistent grub problem, it’s best to address it straight away and make a plan to avoid the issue in the future. Natural pest control alternatives and a customizable lawn care program can help you achieve green goals.

Customized Lawn Care and Maintenance Programs

It’s always best to plan ahead and find customizable solutions that address your unique concerns. A lawn care and maintenance program can help you find the products you need at the time you need to deliver them to keep your lawn looking its best.

OrganicLawns upholds a commitment to eco-friendly lawn health. We utilize natural products that are eco-friendly and pet-friendly and boast cost-effective visits to deliver the care your property needs. We offer seasonal organic treatment plans for Maryland homeowners so you can fight the pests and feel confident in product safety. Our Grub Gone product provides preventative and post-infestation control, and we apply it at the proper time to ensure we have the largest window possible to eliminate pests.

Pest Identification and Management

As with any infestation, it’s crucial to know what you’re dealing with before trying to find a solution. In many cases, you might not see the presence of any pest damaging your lawn, so it’s important to recognize grub-specific signs before beginning treatment. For example, thin, brown patches of grass are a common indicator of grubs.

If you’re ever unsure of the cause of a lawn concern, contact a professional. A lawn professional can identify the root of the problem and provide the best advice and products for dealing with it.

Understanding Soil Conditions for Pest Control

Like many other pests, grubs enjoy the perfect environment to make a home. Your lawn can be an inviting space for these invaders if you don’t take the proper precautionary steps. Optimizing your soil health is an excellent way to prevent grub infestations while benefitting your greenery in the long term.

Simple actions like installing a sprinkler system or requesting aeration services can go a long way toward improving your lawn and reducing grub populations. Compacted soil is a great place for beetles to lay their eggs, which means aerating your lawn can make your property less inviting to these invaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Encountering pests can be tricky and confusing, especially if it’s the first time you’ve noticed a problem. We understand that you may have some additional questions about grub control. Check out some frequently asked questions below.

How Do I Get Rid of Grubs in My Organic Vegetable Garden?

When you’re growing vegetables you plan to eat at home or share with friends and family, it’s important to choose safe grub control methods that won’t negatively impact you or your loved ones. Your first line of defense is to remove the grubs physically. You can use shovels or hand-pick the pests away in the late summer or early fall. This can be a great time for removal as you will likely be wrapping up your growing for the year. Avoid using chemicals in your garden, as many can harm your vegetable growth or impact your health.

How Do You Control Grubs Without Chemicals?

You can get rid of lawn grubs in multiple ways without using chemicals. Using natural biological grub control is a great way to reduce their population without causing damage to your lawn. You can also integrate native plants to draw grub predators to your garden to reduce the population.

Is There an Organic Grub Killer?

Organic fertilizers are a great solution for your lawn. Organic lawn care offers a range of benefits, including a positive environmental impact, saving money and time and being safe for your family and pets. At OrganicLawns, we use an organic product that is pet-friendly and eco-friendly to address these invaders. Our product doesn’t contain chemicals and does not pose a threat to those you love most. Our Grub Gone is a natural alternative you can use for post-infestation control or as a preventative control method.

What Is the Most Effective Grub Treatment?

Biological grub control is a chemical-free way to control these pests. The most effective method to remove grubs is to get regular grub control treatments for your lawn. Because grubs crawl closer to the surface as the weather warms, OrganicLawn schedules treatments in the late spring so you can feel confident we’re targeting the largest portion of your grub population and achieving the best results.

Why Choose OrganicLawns for Your Grub Control Needs

If you have a grub infestation, consider contacting a professional to handle the issue. Lawn grubs can bring a variety of issues to your property, so it’s best to ensure you deal with them promptly and effectively. At-home solutions may bring temporary relief, but professionals have the products and equipment you need for treatment longevity. Additionally, grub control can be time-consuming, so letting the experts tackle the issue can save you from an otherwise frustrating experience in multiple ways.

Of course, when choosing a lawn professional, you want to find a reliable time that offers reasonable prices. That’s where we come in. OrganicLawns upholds a commitment to your lawn’s health and your satisfaction. Our team knows your lawn’s potential and wants to work with you to achieve your greenery goals. With reliable equipment and environmentally friendly products, we’re prepared to serve anyone in Maryland.

Whatever lawn care service you need, we’ve got you covered. You can choose any of the following services for your lawn:

Professional slice seeding
Disease control
Nutsedge application
Starter fertilizer
Fertilizer
Aeration and seeding
Grub control
Annual soil testing
Soil amendment
Weed control

With our reliable services, you can feel confident about achieving a beautiful lawn. You don’t have to take our word for it. Our Maryland customer testimonials can tell you everything you need to know about our services and friendly team. Customers love us because we provide reliable services at reasonable prices. Many of our customers return for business because they trust us to do what’s best for their lawns. Some customers have even noticed a change in their property after only one application service from our experienced, professional team.

Protect Your Maryland Lawn With OrganicLawns

Your lawn is an extension of your home, and we understand your want to have healthy grass. At OrganicLawns, you can find the reliable and affordable services you need to help your greenery look its best. We proudly serve residents in the counties of Prince George, Montgomery, Howard, Hartford, Carroll, Baltimore and Anne Arundel. Whether you need a treatment for disease or grubs, a fertilization service or year-round care, we can help with whatever you need.

Our grub control services are one of many in our arsenal. Using an environmentally and pet-friendly product with professional application, you can expect amazing results that enhance your lawn’s natural essence. Schedule a free lawn estimate to find out how we can help your lawn. We can’t wait to hear from you.