• Brown or dying patches that lift easily like a carpet, revealing white, C-shaped grubs in the soil underneath.
• Spongy feel underfoot, especially in early morning or after watering.
• Increased animal activity—birds, skunks, raccoons, or moles digging up your lawn to eat the grubs.
• Wilting grass that doesn’t respond to watering, as grubs chew through grassroots.
• Thinning turf in irregular patterns, often starting in late summer or early fall.

If you suspect grubs, try the “tug test”: grab a handful of grass and pull gently—if it comes up with little resistance and no roots, grubs may be the culprit.

Fix a lawn grub problem by following these steps:

1. Confirm the Infestation

• Dig a square foot section of turf (about 2–4 inches deep) in suspected areas.
• If you find 6 or more grubs per square foot, treatment is likely needed.

2. Choose a Treatment Method👉 Chemical Options:

• Curative treatments (like products with carbaryl or trichlorfon) work best in late summer to early fall, when grubs are small and feeding near the surface.
• Preventive treatments (like those with imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole) are applied in spring to early summer to stop future infestations.

Natural Solutions:

• Milky spore or beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) can control grubs biologically, though results may take longer.
• Apply when soil is warm and moist—typically late spring through early fall.

3. Water Smart

• Water the lawn after applying most treatments to help carry them into the soil where grubs live (follow package directions).

4. Repair Lawn Damage

• Rake out dead patches and reseed or patch the lawn in early fall or spring.
• Aerate compacted areas and feed with a balanced lawn fertilizer to encourage healthy regrowth.