If you live in Abbotsford, you have already seen the destruction that grubs can cause. If you live in Chilliwack, get ready because they’re just arriving. The mess, and cost, that they create is unbelievable.
Here is a quick and easy educational piece on why we need to be aware of grubs, even if you do not have any evidence of a problem…yet.
What are grubs?
Grubs are the larvae of beetles like Japanese beetles and June beetles. They live in the soil and eat grass roots, turning your once-beautiful lawn into a patchy mess. If not controlled, grubs can weaken your yard, making it an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Above is what a grub looks like. It can be found just under the surface of the lawn during the growing season, then burrows deeper while in hibernation in the winter.
Signs of Grub Damage:
- Brown or dead grass that lifts up like an old rug.
- Soft, spongy turf that feels more like a trampoline than a lawn.
- More crows, raccoons, or skunks treating your yard like a free buffet.
- Finding white, curled grubs under the soil (a sure sign those pests are having a feast!).
Why Crows and Raccoons Dig Up Lawns
Crows and raccoons love eating grubs. When they dig for them, they tear up the grass, making the damage worse. Seeing these animals in your yard could mean you have a grub problem.
How Do They Know Where the Grubs Are?
As the grubs eat the roots of the lawn, the lawn will start to die and discolour. The crows and raccoons see this discolouration, their eyes light up and they dive in for a messy meal. Here are a couple pictures of the resulting smorgasbord.
Once the dinner bell has been rung, it is too late. The products that are used will take several weeks before showing any results and by then the damage is done and the lawn will require extensive, and expensive, work to repair it. Prevention is the best option.
How to Prevent Grub Damage:
- Use Grub Control Products – Apply treatments in early spring or early summer (April is the best month. If you miss the spring treatment or require a second treatment, September also will work.). These products, according to the manufacturer, have no ill effects on other organisms in the soil, nor the animals that may eat them. Grub control in the Fraser Valley is now, quite simply, part of the annual lawn maintenance program.
- Keep Your Lawn Healthy – Water, mow, and fertilize properly to grow strong grass that can resist grub damage. A strong lawn can help fight the damage.
- Use Natural Predators – Beneficial nematodes are tiny organisms that eat grubs and help control them naturally. In our environment, this needs to be applied in August and requires watering for a week or two to be effective.
- Aerate and Dethatch – These practices improve soil health and make it harder for grubs to thrive.
- Check Your Lawn Regularly – Catching a problem early can prevent bigger damage and keep wildlife from tearing up your yard.
Preventing grubs helps maintain a strong, green lawn and avoids costly repairs. A little care now can save a lot of trouble later!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We have been dealing with this for several years now, and we know that our products work.
