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Grubs
White grubs may be the most damaging turf insect pests in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Japanese beetle grubs alone cause an estimated $234 million in damage each year - $78 million for control costs and an additional $156 million for replacement of damaged turf.
Japanese beetles are attracted to turf with moist soil which means they are
especially attracted to lawns that get watered during hot dry spells. During the feeding period, female
beetles intermittently leave plants, burrow about 3 inches into the ground--usually into turf--and
lay a few eggs. This cycle is repeated until the female lays 40 to 60 eggs. Moist soils are certainly
easier to dig through than hard, dry soils. Eggs will dry up and die under very dry soil conditions.
The eggs also die when soil temperatures are around 90°F. Higher soil temperatures are typically
associated with drier soils, as well as high air temperatures.
White grubs are the larval stage of many different beetles, including the Japanese beetle. The grubs
live below ground and feed on the roots of tender grass plants that soon kills the plant. They are
most destructive mid-late summer, but the damage they cause may not show up until early fall and by
then, it's too late.
The best time to control grubs is in early summer, just after they hatch. At this time they are very susceptible to treatment and just before they start causing extensive damage to your lawn.
Tupelo: 844-9006
