Grub Prevention: Defend and Protect Your Tulsa Yard

No matter how healthy your lawn is, you’re going to have some run-ins with bugs now and again. It’s a fact of life and a part of nature. But if those creepy crawlies get out of control, you could have a serious problem on your hands. Grubs, the larvae of several types of beetles, are harmless in small amounts, but in force, they can wreak absolute havoc on your lawn. Prevention is key when it comes to grub control, but where do you begin? Here, we’ve got all the information homeowners need to identify a grub problem and mitigate it before it gets out of hand.

What Are Grubs?

Grubs are what we call the larval stage of several types of scarab beetles. They are extremely common across Oklahoma and throughout much of the U.S., While they aren’t always a major threat, when their numbers grow at a rapid rate, they can harm your lawn, damaging your grassroots, and attracting other animals that cause further harm. The term “white grubs” refers to the larvae of various beetles found in Oklahoma. 

Common Lawn Insects and Types of Grubs in Oklahoma

Here are the most common beetles that begin as white grubs:

• May beetles: Adults are long and oval-shaped, with shiny red or brown exoskeletons.
• June beetles: Similar to May beetles in appearance, often incorrectly called June bugs.
• Masked chafers: Smaller than both May and June beetles, and more yellow.
• Japanese beetles: Also smaller than May and June beetles, with green and bronze iridescent coloring.

You can identify a white grub by noting the “C” shape of the body, white coloring with a brown head, and three pairs of legs. All white grubs have life cycles of 1-3 years and they are most active — and most destructive — during the fall when it’s feeding season.

How to Know if You Have a Grub Infestation

Identifying a grub infestation early is key to protecting your lawn. Signs include: 

• Yellowing grass, wilting grass that easily lifts away from the soil, revealing white, C-shaped grubs underneath. 
• Increased activity from birds, raccoons, or skunks digging up your lawn, attracted by the grubs. 

An effective way to confirm an infestation is to cut a square foot of grass about 2-3 inches deep and peel it back. If you find more than 10 grubs, it may be time to consider treatment options or call a professional lawn care service.

How to Prevent Grubs

The best way to avoid a grub infestation is to make your lawn as inhospitable to the pests as possible, through grub control. From grub control products to regular lawn maintenance, below are the top ways to keep grubs out of your yard.

Maintain Overall Lawn Health

A healthy lawn is more resistant to grubs, and it also shows far less grub damage. It’s important to stay on top of your soil health and stick to a lawn care routine that keeps your grass and your soil at its best. Mow regularly, keep your trees and shrubs healthy, and stick to any regular lawn maintenance like seeding, herbicide application, or aeration.

Adapt Your Watering Schedule

It sounds counterintuitive, but drying out your lawn is a sure way to lessen the number of grubs feasting on your grassroots. Force a drought by stopping watering for several weeks at a time. This is an effective method, but of course, doesn’t work during periods of heavy rain, making it unpredictable. 

Use Beneficial Nematodes

Fight fire with fire by releasing nematodes, a small parasitic worm that will quickly kill off your lawn grubs. You can purchase nematodes at many garden centers, but remember they must be released immediately after you get them home so they don’t die before they can work their magic. You’ll also want to water the soil thoroughly after release.

Apply Milky Spore

This natural bacteria comes in powder form, which can be sprinkled across your lawn to help control the grub population. Milky Spore is effective and easy to use, but it can take some time, so if you aren’t willing to wait, it may not be the right solution for you. If you do opt for Milky Spore, you won’t need any special tools or spreaders. Just drop it by the spoonful across your yard, and water well after application.

Preventative Pesticides

There are pesticides designed specifically for grub prevention. Look for the active ingredients of “carbaryl” or “trichlorfon” on the label. Just know these pesticides are effective enough to kill grubs, but that means they’ll also kill other beneficial insects in your yard. This can upset the life cycle of insects, birds, and animals in your yard, so do your research before using it.

What to Do If Your Lawn is Already Infested

While preventative measures are critical to mitigating grub damage, there may be times when you’re faced with a full infestation, despite your best efforts. If you notice increased grub activity, the safest, most effective option is to call a professional lawn care service. While there may be DIY solutions, there is nothing more effective than working with experts to identify the grubs, develop a curative plan, and eliminate the problem.

Professional Grub Prevention in Tulsa

To banish grubs and get back the thriving lawn you love, you need expert support. That’s where Green Group Oklahoma comes in. We offer a wide variety of lawn care services to keep your grass lush and your soil healthy. We also provide expert care in insect and pest control, using products and methods that keep your pets and kids safe, and your lawn healthy. Contact us today for a free quote!