Timing is the number one cause of failure in grub treatment. Learn the right time for preventive and curative treatments, and how to manage dog urine damage.
Table of Contents5 sections
Table of Contents
White Grubs: Understanding the Enemy
White grubs are the larvae of various beetles, particularly June bugs and Japanese beetles. They feed on your lawn's roots, causing brown patches that detach easily like a carpet. Treatment timing is the number one cause of failure.
When to Treat for Grubs?
Preventive Treatment (Chemical)
Products containing chlorantraniliprole (like GrubEx) should be applied between April and mid-July, before the eggs hatch. They need time to work down into the root zone [6].
Curative or Biological Treatment (Nematodes)
Beneficial nematodes or emergency curative treatments should be applied from mid-August to mid-September, when the larvae are:
- Young and small
- Active near the surface
- Very vulnerable to treatments
Warning: Treating in October or the following spring is generally ineffective because the larvae are too large or too deep in the soil [7].
How to Detect Grubs
Lift a section of turf about 12 x 12 inches in a suspicious area. If you find more than 5 larvae per square foot, treatment is recommended.
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Signs of Infestation
- Brown patches that progressively expand
- Turf detaches easily when pulled
- Presence of skunks or raccoons digging at night
- Increased birds pecking at the lawn
My Dog Burns the Lawn: What to Do?
Brown spots with a dark green ring around them are caused by excess nitrogen and salts in dog urine.
Immediate Solutions
- Water abundantly the area immediately after the dog has done its business
Long-term Solutions
- Train your dog to use a specific area (with mulch or gravel)
Note: Products that modify the pH of the dog's water are not recommended by many veterinarians.
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*Sources: [6] Michigan State University — How to choose and when to apply grub control products. [7] Enracinés — When and how to treat white grubs effectively.*