Lawn Grub Season is Here Now

This lawn problem is particularly felt on the Sunshine Coast and throughout South East Queensland in the wetter, warmer months of November to May. Whilst types of Kikuyu and Couch lawns are particularly prone to lawn grubs, Buffalo grasses such as ‘Sir Walter’, suffer to a lesser extent. If you buy turf on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane or the Gold Coast you will need to know how to identify an infestation and what to do if you have one.

Whilst lawn grubs are always present they become a particular problem when the conditions of your lawn change, such as when you over fertilise or when there is a lot of rain. Basically anything that changes the overall health of your lawn can cause an infestation.

1. Firstly look at the grass itself.
2. Lawn grub infestation may present itself as bare, pale or even brown patches.
3. The grass may have little or no leaf.
4. You can separate the grass and look at ground level for small greenish brown droppings.
5. Look for white moths over the lawn at sundown.
6. Check for white egg sacks in the vicinity of the lawn, on the house, the fence, trees or shrubs.

Another way to discover these pests is to flood a section of the lawn with water, the grubs will then come to the surface and can easily be seen. A less invasive form of this method particularly for new turf, is to place a wet piece of hessian on the lawn overnight to see if grubs come to the surface. If using the hessian method, make sure that you check first thing in the morning before the temperature gets too hot and they retreat. Less than 5 lawn grubs per square meter is fine, but any more than that is an infestation and requires immediate attention.

The recommendation to eliminate a lawn grub infestation from your lawn is to use lawn grub killer, such as ‘Sir Walter’ Pest Control, in the evening or at dusk, when the temperature is lower. If using a granulated product, don’t forget to water the lawn well after application. Then repeat the process weekly until the cycle is broken. If you need products to treat your lawn grub infestation, ‘Sir Walter’ Pest Control can be ordered directly from the team at Daleys Turf.

Tip: If your lawn is over 1 years old, fertilising in summer particularly in January and February, should be avoided, as this attracts lawn grubs. Fertilise for the health of your lawn, not colour and avoid over fertilising.

As always, if you have any questions about your lawn or lawn problems, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Daley’s Turf team.