When fall and winter come rolling in, you may think everything may be dying in your lawn and landscape…leaves, grass, plants and even the pests that plague you over the summer. Did you know that fall is the best time for pests to start the process of becoming that full-blown nuisance you know so well come spring and summer time?
Japanese Beetles start out as tiny grubs in your yard. These caterpillar-looking bugs get their start in your lawn and landscape during autumn. Eggs hatch in the soil during this time and these grubs will begin feeding on your grass roots, which will cause your lawn to die. They then emerge in summer as beetles. These adult beetles will then lay eggs in your lawn and landscape again to restart this cycle, while also feeding on your ornamental foliage, shrubs, trees and flowers.
What are some signs of lawn care grub infestation?
• Lots of moisture. Rainy summers or well-watered lawns create the perfect environment for females to lay eggs.
• Brown patches in your yard. These areas in your grass never seem to get green. This could be due to grub feeding underneath the turf. Try to pull up a piece of your grass. If it easily comes up and no roots are on the grass, chances are grubs are feeding there.
• Lots of birds. If there is lots of activity on your lawn with clusters of birds, they could be feeding on the many grubs underneath your turf.
• Your neighbors’ yards. If there are lots of beetles, brown patches or birds in their yard, it’s likely they have grubs and they will begin migrating towards your grass.
So, how to get rid of grubs before the infestation begins?
• Get a grub-control solution for your lawn care.
These are applied to the soil itself, and can be done during spring, late summer and early fall. Since peak grub feeding occurs during autumn, this is the best time to pre-treat the yard with a solution while the grubs are more receptive to absorbing the pesticides. Be sure to water your lawn after this application to get the solution down to the soil.
• Overseed your lawn.
Grubs and beetles can’t lay eggs in strong, thick grass. By overseeding, it encourages your grass to grow healthy and strong, not allowing for grubs to get to the soil. (Note: Ivanoff lawn care can help with Fescue overseeding).
• Water your lawn and landscape correctly.
Since moist, well-watered soil creates a great breeding ground for beetles to lay eggs, watering only when needed can help decrease the population of grubs. Make sure to water your lawn after overseeding and fix the damaged areas of your grass to start the repair process. We recommend 1” of water on a lawn per week for best lawn care maintenance.
• Mow High.
In addition to overseeding your lawn for strength, cut your grass at a higher setting. Tall grass stops beetles from choosing your lawn as a breeding ground since it requires more work to get to the soil to lay eggs.
When you are looking for landscaping in Lewis Center Ohio, call Ivanoff for professional landscaping services and lawn care maintenance.
Lawn care maintenance: How to get rid of Grubs