Grubs - Ask Extension
Can you effectively kill off grubs in my lawn right now? Something has tore up my yard. I'm guessing for Grubs.
Knowledgebase
Grubs #889177
Asked November 01, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT
Can you effectively kill off grubs in my lawn right now? Something has tore up my yard. I'm guessing for Grubs.
Charlevoix County Michigan
Expert Response
Your photos remind me of raccoon and possible skunk or turkey damage to your lawn. All of them would be searching for grubs in your lawn. Open the attached links to more info:
Who's Digging in my Yard-MSU
Diagnosing wildlife holes in yard-Iowa
Holes in the Lawn ID-Clemson
Because they have damaged your lawn (looking for food), you should check for grubs as well. Open these links:
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU - how to check for grubs, but dig a bit deeper as it's late in the season & the f\grubs are going deeper in the soil
Effective Home Lawn Grub Control-MSU
Controlling grubs in lawns can be done a) preventively in June / July to kill newly hatched grubs when they hatch and feed on turf roots in starting in early August or b) curatively (not quite as effective) in September / early October or April. See the first link above and these links for more grub control info:
Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass-Purdue Current Insecticide Approaches for White Grubs-UMass
How Do I Treat for Grubs in My Lawn-UNH
A well-maintained lawn (fertilized, irrigated, mowed high...) can tolerate 5 grubs per sq ft without looking damaged. Please understand that ZERO grubs in a lawn is an unrealistic and expensive goal and an excessive use of chemicals which is harmful to the environment.
A well-maintained lawn includes doing a soil test every 2-3 years. You will learn about your soil including soil type, pH, nutrient levels and more. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, moss, weeds, insects/grubs and look great at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer
If you find a sufficient quantity of grubs to act: it's now November, I think you're too late to accomplish effective grub control this fall. Applying grub control today (if you can find it), watering it in and waiting about 2 weeks for the insecticide to be taken up in the turf roots before the grubs can eat it is too much time required in a season that's basically over. I recommend doing a soil test this month, planning any improvements for next year (based on the soil test results) and deciding whether to do a curative treatment in the spring or a preventive treatment in late June (the more effective option).
Who's Digging in my Yard-MSU
Diagnosing wildlife holes in yard-Iowa
Holes in the Lawn ID-Clemson
Because they have damaged your lawn (looking for food), you should check for grubs as well. Open these links:
How to Choose & Apply Grub Control Products-MSU - how to check for grubs, but dig a bit deeper as it's late in the season & the f\grubs are going deeper in the soil
Effective Home Lawn Grub Control-MSU
Controlling grubs in lawns can be done a) preventively in June / July to kill newly hatched grubs when they hatch and feed on turf roots in starting in early August or b) curatively (not quite as effective) in September / early October or April. See the first link above and these links for more grub control info:
Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass-Purdue Current Insecticide Approaches for White Grubs-UMass
How Do I Treat for Grubs in My Lawn-UNH
A well-maintained lawn (fertilized, irrigated, mowed high...) can tolerate 5 grubs per sq ft without looking damaged. Please understand that ZERO grubs in a lawn is an unrealistic and expensive goal and an excessive use of chemicals which is harmful to the environment.
A well-maintained lawn includes doing a soil test every 2-3 years. You will learn about your soil including soil type, pH, nutrient levels and more. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, moss, weeds, insects/grubs and look great at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer
If you find a sufficient quantity of grubs to act: it's now November, I think you're too late to accomplish effective grub control this fall. Applying grub control today (if you can find it), watering it in and waiting about 2 weeks for the insecticide to be taken up in the turf roots before the grubs can eat it is too much time required in a season that's basically over. I recommend doing a soil test this month, planning any improvements for next year (based on the soil test results) and deciding whether to do a curative treatment in the spring or a preventive treatment in late June (the more effective option).