When your lawn is your pride and joy there is nothing worse than the attack of insects! There are a variety of chewing insects, like grasshoppers and grubs, which will attack grass blades and cause dead patches in your lawn.
About lawn grubs
Lawn grubs are the larval form of beetles and can be one of the biggest causes of lawn damage on the Sunshine Coast.Grubs make their presence known by creating patches of dying lawn as they devour grass roots. If you notice brown and straw like patches in your lawn, then you may well have a lawn grub infestation. If the grass is loose and you can easily pull it away from the roots it’s invariably grub damage. Lawn Grubs are a seasonal issue and, unfortunately, they can affect your lawn several times during each summer and autumn.
Grub Identification
- Grubs are dirty white with a brown head.
- They have soft bodies.
- Most have six well-developed legs.
- When disturbed, grubs will curl into the shape of a C.
How to know you have lawn grubs
Pouring soapy water on a patch of lawn provides an easy way to flush pests to the surface. Dissolve two tablespoons of dish washing detergent in a bucket of water. Pour the solution over a small area of lawn.
Observe carefully. You may the grubs scrambling up from soil and grass to escape the suffocating soap.
Prevention and control of grubs
The best prevention is close monitoring of the lawn. If an area of grass seems to be lightening or browning, check for grubs. A pesticide labeled for grub control applied to the area can kill the grubs to prevent their growth and breeding.
How to repair grub damage
Because the grubs feed on the roots, grass will need to be started from scratch. Just treat the area like any other bare patch repair and be certain to keep the seed moist while germinating.