How Grubs Can Ruin Your Lawn
As Florida residents, we expect insects to be part of our lives. Palmetto bugs, mosquitoes, slugs…they all come with the territory. But one insect that can wreak havoc on your Hernando County lawn is the dreaded grub. Grubs are most prevalent in the summer, yet can destroy your yard year-round.
Do I Have Grubs?
If you have noticed brown patches in your grass or find that the grass lifts up easily when you give it a tug, you just might have grubs. Grubs love moisture, so our summer rain patterns provide them with the perfect atmosphere to take up residence.
Grubs: They’re What’s For Dinner
Grubs don’t only destroy your lawn by gnawing at the grass roots, they also invite other animals to come and feast. When grubs are plentiful, raccoons and armadillos will sneak into your yard and tear it up – all to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet of grubs.
An Ounce of Prevention
The best course of action is to prevent grubs from ever invading your lawn. Since they love water, it is imperative that you not overwater during the rainy season. Make sure your irrigation system has a rain gauge that will automatically prevent the sprinklers from running if there has been rain. If there have been consecutive days of rain, turn off the sprinkler system completely until you have four or five days without rain. The grubs will not survive without moisture.
If It’s Too Late
If grubs have already taken up residence in your Springhill lawn, you do have a couple of treatment options. A natural treatment is using beneficial nematodes; these are microscopic worms that live in the soil and enter the bodies of grubs where they release a bacteria that kills them. If your lawn is chemically treated, the nematodes will likely be killed by the pesticides. In this case, you will need to apply chemical grub controls. These are most effective when the grubs are young (during summer). Be sure to water your lawn after application, as doing so will work the chemicals down into the soil where grubs tend to hang out.
How Can We Help?
For over 25 years, Challenger Irrigation has specialized in helping Florida lawns stay bright green and grub-proof. If you are concerned about grubs or any other damaging pest, we can help by installing controls to prevent over or under watering your Spring Hill lawn. Call Challenger Irrigation today to schedule an appointment with one of our irrigation specialists.