Identifying Lawn Grubs in Your Lawn

18

OCTOBER, 2017

Lawncare
Pest Control

Now is the time to have an eye out for lawn grubs in your yard. Fortunately, there are a few signs we can be wary of. By keeping an eye out this spring, we can nip the infestation in the bub and restore our lawns to their happy, healthy state in time for summer.

Lawn Grub activity increases as the weather starts to warm up. Their peak period is typically from October to March. Moths will gather around your lawn around dusk, flying just about the grass.

Once they find a lawn they are happy with, they will lay huge clumps of eggs. These will hatch within 2 to 5 days becoming grub larvae, better known as caterpillars. It is this stage of the lifecycle that you will find the most damage is dealt to your lawn. They will chew through your lawn for about 18 to 24 days until they finally become pupae and then about a week later, moths.

Unfortunately for us lawn lovers, moths are most attracted to greener, healthier lawns. And due to their natural colour, Kikuyu and Couch lawns will be more susceptible. A lawn such as Sir Walter Buffalo Lawn that is quick repairing will have the best chances and will generally have minimal damage.

So, what are the signs of lawn grubs?

Increased bird activity on your lawn shows they’ve clued onto the increased amount of snacking opportunities on your lawn.
Seeing greyish-brown moths flying around, especially at dusk, is a sure sign they are scoping out your lawn.
Brown patches of lawn that can be easily lifted from the ground indicate that lawn grubs have chewed through the roots of that area.
Or, a spongy lawn. A spongy lawn can also indicate thatch build up but it’s definitely worth checking a grub infestation isn’t the issue.

Look out for increasing amounts of birds

To control the lawn grubs that have made your lawn their home, you should use Lawn Lovers Grub Guard. It may take a while for the cycle to be broken but it will be worth it in the end. Choosing a product that will remain in the soil will help with this over time.