Shimat V. Joseph, associate professor of entomology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, spoke with Southern Living about how to get rid of grubs before they destroy your lawn.
“The most common grubs found in Southeastern lawns include the May-June beetle, masked chafer, June beetle and Japanese beetle,” Joseph said. “The immature stages of all white grub species feed on the roots of turfgrass. Except for the Japanese beetle, the other white grub species do not feed on plant foliage as adults.”
If you see more than 20 grubs in an irrigated area — you can check in a 1-square-foot area about 2 or 3 inches deep — you need to treat, according to Joseph.