Lawn grubs - how to identify & prevent them : Ask The Experts : Lee Rowans Gardenworld

Spring is when your garden and lawn grow with exuberance, however so do many warm season turf-related pests. Here are tips to identify, prevent and how to get rid of them.

Signs to look out for:

Increased bird activity on your lawn: Birds often feast on grubs as a food source.
Greyish-brown moths flying aroung: Moths are searching for the best lawns to lay their eggs, which later become grub larvea that eat through grass roots.
Brown patches, that stays brown, in your lawn: If the grass in these patches lifts easily and rolls up like a carpet, grus may have eaten its roots.
Spongy lawn.

Grub test.

If you are unsure if you have grubs in your lawn, do a grub test.

Mix a bucket of soapy water.
Pour it over the edge of an affected area (brown or dry patch).
Wait about 10 minutes, if grubs are present, they will surface.

The best time to test is at dawn or dusk when grubs are most active.

What are lawn grubs?

Lawn grub is a collective term that describe Army worms, Sod web-worm and Cutworms. These are the larveas of moths that feed on the leaves and roots of grass.

African Black beetles are a natural part of the ecosystem and the adult beetles cause little harm. However, their root-feeding larvea can cause significant damage.

How to get rid of lawn pests?

First you need to act fast, grubs can cause severe damage within days. Use a fast-acting insectiside, that kill pests upon contact. We recommend Dead Grub from Searles, available in 1kg, 2.5kg, 5kg and liquid form (hose on). 1kg treats up to 160m2.

Dead grub

How to prevent lawn pests?

Prevent grubs before they become a problem and ensure they will not come back with insectisides powered by Acelepryn. This will provide a safe and effective control while minimising the impact on the environment and non-target organisms. Acelepryn provides prevention for up to 6 months.