Grubs most commonly occur in cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass. Grasses that are well-drained, but moist and have high organic matter content are especially susceptible to grub infestation. If the grub infestation is left unattended, you may have to reseed the entire area that is infected.

The best way to tell if you have a grub infestation is to try to pull back the sod. If you can pull back the grass easily, this is a sign of grub infestation. Grubs feed on roots and destroy the turf's access to food and nutrition. Often when you peel back the turf, grubs will be visible.

Fighting Grubs

The inconvenience of a grub infestation and the unsightly effects can be avoided by spraying for grubs before there is an infestation. Repairing the damage can be quite expensive and difficult, so you'll want to catch grubs when they are at their youngest and most vulnerable. One of the main problems with grubs, though, is that they live under the turf and sod and reaching them with insecticide can be difficult.

The best kind of insecticide to use on grubs is a systemic insecticide. Systemic insecticides are taken in by the plant's root system. When the grub feeds on the roots, they are taking in the poison. Once the plant takes up the poison, the effect is long-lasting because the insecticide can't be washed away by the elements while it is in the roots of the plant.