Identifying Grubs

White grubs are the larvae (the young) of certain beetles that can cause devastating damage to your lawn. They also attack the roots of flowers, vegetables and ornamentals. Grubs are easy to identify but often go unnoticed because they live underground. To identify grubs in your lawn, look for these key features:

• white to light gray in color
• wet or waxy appearance
• rest in a telltale or "c" shape in the ground

Often the only way to know you have a grub problem is after it’s too late and damage has already been done. That’s why it is important to look for early signs of grub infestation including the following:

• Grass is brown in patches, especially during hot or dry weather
• Lawn feels soft or spongy when you walk on it
• Chunks of grass can easily be pulled up by hand
• Small sections of grass can easily be rolled back
• Raccoons, opossums, skunks or moles are frequently digging into your lawn

Mature Grubs

Because white grubs are the larvae of a number of species, you can help protect your lawn from grub damage by identifying full-grown species of grubs. The following descriptions of mature grubs can help you spot areas around your home that may be at risk of grub damage.

May or June Beetle

• Flying beetles
• Attracted to house or street lights
• Typically lay eggs in grass around well lighted areas

Japanese Beetle

• Metallic green beetles with copper-brown wing covers
• Attracted to plants including roses, linden, grapes and cherries
• Typically lay eggs in sunny areas near plants