Grubs

White Grub

Grubs (a.k.a. larval beetles) feed on grass roots. A few  grubs are a natural part of all lawns, but too many can create a problem. Improving soil health and building your lawn’s root system will help ward off grub infestations.

Assess the area.

Use a shovel to cut a 1 foot by 1 foot square of turf and pull it back. If you count more than 10 grubs in that area then you may have a grub population that is large enough to damage your lawn.

Fight back naturally.

In northern New England, the best way to combat grubs naturally is by using beneficial nematodes (a type of worm). North Country Organics offers a mixture of two different strains of nematodes in their Grub Guard product. The different strains of nematodes work at different levels of the soil to combat grubs. Carefully follow package instructions when applying nematodes to ensure maximum effectiveness. Keep in mind that nematodes are living creatures, so applying a pesticide at the same time will kill them before they can get rid of the grubs.

Most common grubs