It's August in North Haven, and summer is in full swing. Perhaps you are attending a few Music Under the Stars performances or fishing at Wharton Brook State Park, but with so many fun things to do, keeping up with your lawn care is probably not a number one priority. But here in Connecticut, there is a tiny white caterpillar-looking creature who might be taking aim at your backyard. This critter is the white grub, and they are one of the most destructive lawn pests wreaking havoc on turf grass across our state. Interested in learning more about this destructive 
creature, how to tell if they have targeted your lawn and what to do when they become a problem? Read on. Naturally Green Lawn Care has everything you need to know about the white grub.
What Do Grubs Look Like?
Grubs are the larvae of several different species of scarab beetles. If you've ever seen one, you know that they look like a cross between a caterpillar and a worm. The adults range from 3/8 to two inches long and are usually white to grey. Because they live under your soil, they are hard to see, but they will most likely be crawled up into a C-shaped position if you do happen to find one. They have three pairs of jointed legs behind a reddish-brown head.
Damage Grubs Cause
Adult grubs seek out comfortable spots within your turf to lay their eggs. When they do, they bury them right beneath the surface. The eggs take anywhere between six to 50 days to hatch. When they hatch, they are hungry and begin feeding on your lawn's roots. If they devour too much, it can cause your grass to turn brown, wither and die. As a secondary cause and effect, grubs attract predators such as moles, skunks, and birds who feed on grubs and, in doing so, may tear up and destroy your grass searching for their food.
Signs & Symptoms of Grub Damage to Your North Haven Lawn
- Your grass feels spongy and very soft
- Sections of your grass roll up like carpet when stepped upon or kicked
- Death of otherwise healthy plants
- Damage is caused by moles, raccoons, skunks, or other medium-sized animals.
Grub Test
Grubs are tiny and bury so deep within your soil; it makes them hard to find. The best way to determine if you have a grub problem is to call in a professional lawn care service. But if you want to be sure before you do, you can try this tried and true method. Simply take a shovel and dig up a section of your lawn where you suspect the critters to be. Check a few different spots. If grubs are there, you will spot them. Another way to test your grass is by tugging on soft, spongy areas of your grass. If it pulls up like a piece of carpet, you probably have grubs.
Ways to Prevent Grubs
So now that we know how to identify grubs and the damage they cause, how do we go about preventing them? Grubs are not always easy to control. Like us, they have to survive, and to do that; they must find food. But the best way to prevent grubs from picking your lawn is to ensure your grass is the healthiest on the block. A healthy, robust lawn is better equipped to withstand a few problem insects or a handful of grubs. Invest in a fertilization program to help give your grass the added nutrients it needs to stay strong. A few other ways you can help prevent these menaces from taking over include:
- Switch up your irrigation schedule and consider watering your lawn once a week for a bit longer. Since grubs are attracted to excess moisture, allow your lawn to dry out in between watering.
- Keep your turf at least two inches high to make the grubs work harder and digging beneath your soil. This alone could make them move onto the next yard.
Call Naturally Green Today About Our Effective Grub Control Service
Naturally Green offers a highly effective Grub Control Program that will not only help you eliminate your grub problem but stop them before they reach the larval stage-the state in which they cause so much serious damage. Once you see signs of a grub problem, you will want to contact us right away. Once these buggers get munching on your lawn, the damage is irreversible. Contact us now to learn about our Grub Control Program and how we can help protect your turf. Fill out our online form or give us a call at 203-230-9212 today.
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