Ask the Experts

Detect the Early Signs of Grub Worm Damage

August 31, 2021

We think that the lawn grub is very aptly named. When they infest your lawn, they cause damage by literally feeding or grubbing on the roots, causing patches of your turf to die. The root system becomes compromised, causing your lawn to have difficulty ingesting nutrients and water.

Lawn grubs love sunny weather, so it is especially important to become vigilant to signs of grub infestation. Detect the early signs of grub worm damage by reading our list below.

Did you notice animals feeding on your turf?

Is there animal activity on your lawn? Small animals like racoons, skunks, armadillos, and birds tend to feed on grubs. Not only will you have a grub problem, but these animals will cause a host of problems on their own. You may notice tunnels or molehills. Or your turf can take a hard hit as these animals toss dirt and dig for grub worms. 

If such is the case, it may be high time to contact your pest control and landscaping company.

Did you notice beetles or moths flying around your turf?

Lawn grubs eventually become beetles, and most of them live up to a year. They lay eggs in the summer and hatch into baby grubs by August. The damage will be more noticeable in the sunny parts of the turf. 
Spotting moths or beetles hovering on your lawn is not a sure sign that you have a grub issue, it can be a sign that of an imminent problem. Beetles fly around to look for healthy turf to lay their eggs on, while their babies mature into grubs that feed on your lawn. 

Have you spotted actual grubs?

Check your lawn for grubs by digging up in suspicious areas of your yard. Grub worms are C-shaped, around half an inch long, white in color, and have 3 pairs of legs. If you spot more than 5 of them per square foot, it is possible that your lawn has an infestation. 

Does your lawn have brown patches?

The grass will turn brown and grow thin when your lawn is being attacked by grubs. Eventually, these will become bigger brown patches in your yard. As the insects amp up their feeding, the dead grass and the overall damage becomes more apparent. 

Does your grass feel ‘bouncy?’

Walk on your lawn. If it has a loose or spongy feel when you walk on it, talk to your Dallas landscaping experts right away. Grub worm damage initially happens underground, since they feed on the roots of the grass. Because of this, the connection between the turf and the root base is weakened.