White grubs, also know as grub worms, and the scarab beetle's larvae.
They are white (thus the name) and grow to a length of one half to one full inch long.
In late July or early August, a female scarab beetle will lay eggs six inches deep in the lawn.
In early spring the eggs will hatch and the larvae will find their way to the grass roots.
Throughout the spring and summer they will feast on grass roots and other plant roots until they mature into adult scarab beetles.
At that point, the females will lay more eggs for the next spring, and the beetles will find a new home with plenty of dead debris to eat.
Eating the roots of the grass can devastate the lawn and soon you will find wilting and dead grass all over the lawn.
Often it can be so bad that the grass can be rolled up almost as if it is sod (only missing the grass roots) because nothing is holding the grass into place.
Once the root system is gone, the grass quickly dies, and the only remedy is to first get rid of the infestation and second completely redo the lawn either with sod or grass seed.
Some early signs to help you determine whether you have a white grub problem, is if you find that birds really seem to like your lawn.
If they do, it is probably because they are finding good food (and don't bet that its just spring grass that they like).
Gophers also like to eat white grubs and so you may find an influx of gopher holes in your yard as well.
Even though you may not see the birds, they will leave behind small peck holes as they try to catch the grubworms.
The earlier you can catch these grubs, the less mess you will have to clean up.
Once you have figured out that you have a grub problem, the best solution is just to use a good pest control.
You may have to apply it several times since they burrow up to six inches deep.
It is best to apply the pest control in spring and early summer and hope that you can get rid of them before any mature and start laying eggs in your lawn in late summer.
Once you are rid of the pests, the best way to keep them away is to keep a healthy lawn.
I know it sounds kind of trite, but its true.
White grubs live deep in the ground up to the thatch layer of the soil.
If you keep your lawn free of debris and dead growth, it won't attract the adult scarab beetle in the first place as a place to eat or lay her eggs.
They are scavengers by nature, and their favorite food is dung.
Also, thatch is essential for the larvae to survive, because it creates the perfect warm and moist environments for them to live in.
So keep your lawn de-thatched, fertilized, and watered and you should have very little problems with white grubs in the future.
They are white (thus the name) and grow to a length of one half to one full inch long.
In late July or early August, a female scarab beetle will lay eggs six inches deep in the lawn.
In early spring the eggs will hatch and the larvae will find their way to the grass roots.
Throughout the spring and summer they will feast on grass roots and other plant roots until they mature into adult scarab beetles.
At that point, the females will lay more eggs for the next spring, and the beetles will find a new home with plenty of dead debris to eat.
Eating the roots of the grass can devastate the lawn and soon you will find wilting and dead grass all over the lawn.
Often it can be so bad that the grass can be rolled up almost as if it is sod (only missing the grass roots) because nothing is holding the grass into place.
Once the root system is gone, the grass quickly dies, and the only remedy is to first get rid of the infestation and second completely redo the lawn either with sod or grass seed.
Some early signs to help you determine whether you have a white grub problem, is if you find that birds really seem to like your lawn.
If they do, it is probably because they are finding good food (and don't bet that its just spring grass that they like).
Gophers also like to eat white grubs and so you may find an influx of gopher holes in your yard as well.
Even though you may not see the birds, they will leave behind small peck holes as they try to catch the grubworms.
The earlier you can catch these grubs, the less mess you will have to clean up.
Once you have figured out that you have a grub problem, the best solution is just to use a good pest control.
You may have to apply it several times since they burrow up to six inches deep.
It is best to apply the pest control in spring and early summer and hope that you can get rid of them before any mature and start laying eggs in your lawn in late summer.
Once you are rid of the pests, the best way to keep them away is to keep a healthy lawn.
I know it sounds kind of trite, but its true.
White grubs live deep in the ground up to the thatch layer of the soil.
If you keep your lawn free of debris and dead growth, it won't attract the adult scarab beetle in the first place as a place to eat or lay her eggs.
They are scavengers by nature, and their favorite food is dung.
Also, thatch is essential for the larvae to survive, because it creates the perfect warm and moist environments for them to live in.
So keep your lawn de-thatched, fertilized, and watered and you should have very little problems with white grubs in the future.