Lawn care guide for identifying and treating grub infestations

Homeowners can identify grub infestations by digging up a 12-inch square section of symptomatic lawn to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. If the area contains 10 or more whitish, C-shaped larvae per square foot, it is considered an infestation requiring treatment.

Grubs are the larval stage of various beetles, including the Japanese, Oriental, and European chafer beetles. They feed on plant roots, which can cause brown patches in lawns by disconnecting the roots from the top growth. However, populations of fewer than 10 grubs per square foot are generally considered normal and do not necessitate chemical intervention.