Grub Control: How to Protect Your Lawn from Hidden Damage

You water, mow, and fertilize—yet brown patches still appear across your lawn. Before you blame heat or drought, look beneath the surface. The culprit might be grubs, one of the most damaging lawn pests in Texas.

These small, white beetle larvae feed on grass roots, causing turf to thin, yellow, and die off in patches. Fortunately, with proper grub control, you can stop the damage before it spreads and keep your lawn healthy year-round.

1. What Are Grubs?

Grubs are the larvae of beetles—such as June bugs and Japanese beetles—that live underground and feed on grassroots.

They’re usually C-shaped, white, and about an inch long, often found curled beneath the soil surface. While adult beetles may look harmless, their larvae are the ones silently destroying your lawn’s foundation.

2. How Grubs Damage Your Lawn

Grubs feed on the tender roots of your grass, cutting off its access to water and nutrients. Over time, the damage becomes visible as:

• Brown or dead patches that grow in size
• Spongy turf that lifts easily from the soil
• Increased wildlife activity, like birds, raccoons, or armadillos digging for grubs

If left untreated, an infestation can completely kill sections of your yard.

3. Signs You Have a Grub Problem

Grub infestations often go unnoticed until serious damage appears. Look for these telltale signs:

• Sudden brown patches despite watering
• Turf that pulls up like a carpet
• Soil filled with white, curled larvae
• Animal digging or pecking in certain areas

If you spot more than 5–10 grubs per square foot, your lawn likely needs professional treatment.

4. The Importance of Timing

The key to successful grub control is treatment timing. Grubs are most active during late spring through early fall, when they hatch and feed aggressively before winter.

Preventive applications during early summer stop new larvae from developing, while curative treatments in late summer or early fall eliminate active grubs already in the soil.

5. Why DIY Grub Killers Often Fail

Many store-bought products promise fast results, but most fail to reach the deeper soil layers where grubs feed.

DIY treatments often:

• Don’t penetrate deep enough to kill larvae
• Miss the right timing window
• Harm beneficial insects or soil microbes

Professional-grade grub control products are applied strategically based on life cycle stages—ensuring long-term protection without damaging your lawn ecosystem.

6. How Professional Grub Control Works

At Anointed Lawn Care, the grub control process includes:

1. Inspection: Identifying signs of infestation and checking root zones.
2. Targeted Treatment: Applying specialized grub control products that reach deep soil layers.
3. Soil Conditioning: Restoring damaged turf and promoting regrowth.
4. Preventive Maintenance: Scheduling follow-up treatments to block future outbreaks.

This thorough approach ensures your lawn recovers quickly and stays protected all year long.

7. Preventing Future Infestations

Once grubs are gone, ongoing care is key to keeping them away. Combine grub control with:

• Regular fertilization to strengthen roots
• Proper watering to avoid over-saturated soil
• Core aeration to improve airflow and drainage
• Pest monitoring to catch early signs of beetle activity

Healthy lawns are more resilient and less inviting to grub infestations.

8. The Value of Professional Expertise

Professional lawn care experts understand local soil conditions, seasonal beetle activity, and treatment timing. With their help, you’ll not only eliminate grubs but also prevent them from coming back.

Anointed Lawn Care’s team uses eco-conscious, pet-safe methods to target grubs while preserving your lawn’s natural balance.

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