Grubs in your lawn?

a guide for lawn care professionals and homeowners

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GOT GRUBS? COUNT TO 10

How many grubs are too many? Research in upstate New York has shown that only 20 percent of home lawns and golf course fairways require treatment. Here’s a guide to treatment thresholds for European chafers, Japanese beetles, and Oriental beetles, the most common grubs in home lawns in New York State. Numbers are based on grubs/sq.ft.

0-5 grubs: rest easy

Fewer than five grubs per square foot is a low population. You don’t need to treat.

6-9 grubs: think about your lawn

Is your grass dense, with a healthy, robust root system? If so, it can probably withstand grub populations of 6-8 per square foot, or more. On the other hand, if animals such as skunks, raccoons, birds, and moles are digging up the turf to feed on the grubs and this bothers you, consider treating highly populated areas.

10 or more: they may cause damage

Ten or more grubs per square foot will likely cause damage, especially if the lawn is otherwise stressed. In most circumstances, you’d be justified treating where populations are this high. Several weeks after treating, sample in a few locations to determine whether treatments were effective.

A sampling of grubs found when scouting. Research in New York State has shown that only 20 percent of home lawns and golf course fairways require treatment.

Compensating for grub damage

Many characteristics of a lawn determine how well grass grows. You can, however, help your lawn to compensate for loss of roots by watering it regularly and reseeding damaged areas.

About This Site

These pages are maintained by the New York State IPM Program, part of Cornell Cooperative Extension. All material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. Copyright is held by Cornell University and the New York State IPM Program.