Here in Georgia, grubs can be a real problem for property owners. Grubs are beetle larvae, and when they hatch, they will feast on the roots of your lawn, causing significant damage to your grass. If you suspect your lawn is suffering from a grub infestation, there are four tell-signs you should be on the lookout for that likely indicated your lawn is infested with grubs. When infested with grubs, your lawn will feel spongy when you walk on it and it will lift up like a carpet. If you notice an increased animal presence on your lawn, it could be because they are there to eat grubs. If you notice random brown patches popping up on your lawn, it could be a symptom of grub damage. Also, if you actually see a large number of grubs in one spot on your lawn, then it's safe to say that you're dealing with a grub infestation.

1. A grub-infested lawn will feel spongy and lift up like a carpet.

A damaged lawn caused by grubs, pulling up like carpet.

Because grubs eat the roots of your grass, the grass in your lawn can become unattached to the soil and lift up like a carpet — without roots, the lawn has nothing anchoring it to the ground! Your lawn may also feel spongy and loose under your shoes when you walk on it. If you notice these signs, it's likely grubs may be feeding on your grass.

2. A grub infestation can attract animals to your lawn.

A mole that has made its home in a person's lawn near Woodstock, GA.

Every organism has a place in the food chain — even grubs! Raccoons, birds, and other small animals find grubs extremely appetizing. So, if you start to notice animals digging in your lawn, your lawn may be infested with grubs. Together, animals and a grub infestation can create a destructive combination and damage your lawn.

Here are a few animals in Georgia you might see feasting on grubs:

  • Skunks
  • Raccoons
  • Crows
  • Moles
  • Armadillos

3. Grubs can cause random brown patches to appear on your turf.

A random patch of damaged lawn likely caused by grubs.

If you see random brown patches on your lawn, this can indicate that grubs are damaging your lawn! Because grubs eat the roots of your grass, the grass can then turn brown and die. This can transform a green, lush turf into a lawn spotted with patches of thin, brown grass.

Brown patches can be a symptom of a lawn disease or a dehydrated lawn, so you should contact a lawn care professional to diagnose why your lawn is turning brown.

4. A large number of grubs in one area can indicate an infestation.

A whole in a lawn with many grubs clumped together.

Georgia is home to many different insects and beetles. So, if you notice one or two grubs on your lawn, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it's pretty normal to find a few grubs here and there! What is abnormal is seeing a large number of them in one spot.

If you suspect your lawn is infested with grubs, use a small shovel to dig up a spot where you suspect grubs are. As a rule of thumb, if you see 10 or more grubs in a 1-square-foot area, your lawn is probably infested.

Call us today to schedule our curative grub control treatment!

If you suspect your lawn is infected with grubs, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Grubs can destroy your lawn and drag down the curb appeal of your property. At O'Neill Landscape Group, we understand how daunting this situation can feel, so we will work with you to apply a curative grub control treatment to eliminate the grub infestation from your property. Call us today at (770) 627-5012 to schedule our curative grub control treatment! We service Woodstock, Roswell, Alpharetta, and other surrounding areas in Georgia.