Yes, grubs return every year because they are the larval stage of beetles (like June bugs and Japanese beetles) that follow a recurring, 12-month life cycle. Without active prevention, adult beetles will lay eggs in your lawn every summer, restarting the infestation.
For instant results, apply a curative chemical insecticide containing Trichlorfon (e.g., BioAdvanced 24 Hour Grub Killer Plus). When watered in, these products penetrate the soil and kill active grubs within 24 hours. For a natural alternative, spray a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water with a few drops of dish soap.
Curative Treatments: Late summer to early fall (August – September). Kills on contact, so it's effective at this stage with grubs feeding near the surface. Applying too late (past October) can give pests time to bury deep for the winter and escape. Too early (June – July) can miss late hatchers.
Unfortunately, grubs won't go away on their own. If left untreated, the infestation will continue to spread and result in further harm to your turf. As the grubs grow and develop, they will eventually pupate and emerge as adult beetles.
Grubs are primarily brought to your yard by adult beetles (Japanese beetles, June bugs) seeking to lay eggs in healthy, moist, and nutrient-rich soil. They are attracted to thick turf with high thatch buildup, which provides food and shelter for their larvae, and thrive in consistently moist or overwatered,,, soil during mild summers.
To safely eliminate lawn grubs without harsh synthetic chemicals, use beneficial nematodes or natural biological agents like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). These eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions protect your soil and are perfectly safe for your family, pets, and beneficial pollinators like earthworms.
Use them in June or July to control grubs that would be damaging turf in the fall. Applying them too early will allow some of the chemical to leach through the turf or break down to the point that not enough insecticide will be there in July to control grubs.
Getting rid of grubs and repairing the damage is challenging and takes time so we like to focus on prevention. And there are a few ways to help prevent grubs from making your lawn a home. First is making your lawn an inhospitable place for beetles to lay eggs.
To apply grub control granules, you'll want to mow the lawn first, as well as make sure that the lawn is dry and that there is no rain predicted for the next 24 hours. The protective equipment you want to wear for this application includes long sleeves, long pants, shoes, and socks.
Fall grub control requires curative insecticides rather than preventatives, as grubs are mature, actively feeding, and too large for summer treatments to work. Look for fast-acting contact insecticides like trichlorfon (e.g., BioAdvanced 24 Hour Grub Killer) to quickly stop root damage before the grubs go dormant.
Grub damage to lawn is also caused by birds, skunks, armadillos, raccoons or moles are tearing up your lawn —they eat Grubs and are trying to uncover them. These animals also dig and eat Earthworms, so confirm Grubs are present before pursuing any treatment. Your turf has become spongy.
Grub worms (the larval stage of certain insects) turn into adult scarab beetles. Depending on the specific species, these plump, C-shaped soil dwellers will typically mature into Japanese beetles, June bugs, May or June beetles, or masked chafers.
Effective lawn grub control requires choosing between preventive and curative treatments based on the season. Apply preventive products (e.g., Scotts GrubEx) in late spring or early summer to stop newly hatched grubs, or use curative treatments (e.g., [BioAdvanced 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus](https://www.homedepot.com/p/BIOADVANCED-10-lb-24-Hour-Grub Killer-Plus-Granules-700740A/202021495)) to eliminate active, root-munching grubs.
Apply and Activate: Walk at a steady pace to apply the granules to a dry lawn. Then, just water it in to get the product down into the soil where grubs live.
No, Epsom salt will not kill grub worms. While it is an excellent source of magnesium for plants, it is not an effective insecticide or pesticide for lawn grubs.
An infestation of lawn grubs is generally considered to be 10 or more grubs per square foot. While a few grubs are normal, a population of 5 to 10 per square foot suggests a developing problem, while over 10 indicates a severe infestation requiring immediate action to prevent significant turf damage.
The best DIY grub control depends on whether you are preventing future grubs or killing active infestations. The most effective preventative choice is Scotts GrubEx1 containing chlorantraniliprole, applied in spring. For active grubs, use parasitic nematodes for an organic approach or chemical treatments like Dylox.
Moist soil. Whether you over-water your lawn or have poor drainage, excess moisture creates an ideal habitat for grubs. Thatch. Beetles like to hide and lay their eggs in thick layers of grass rich in organic material so there's plenty of food for the larvae once they hatch.
However, while it's always best to start with preventative measures, you may need to remove the grubs already damaging your lawn. In this scenario, the best time to apply grub control in your yard will be when you see the first signs of damage. This can happen between July and September, during the grub's larvae stage.
They should be able to remove grubs without killing the grass. Applying the product carefully and preventing overuse are crucial to reducing any potential harm to the grass. Most of the time damage is caused from added nitrogen to a granular application, be sure to follow label instructions.
The best grub control depends on whether you are preventing or treating active grubs. Preventative treatments (applied in late spring/early summer) are the most effective way to stop future turf damage. Curative treatments (applied in late summer/fall) knock down existing, destructive grubs.
How to Get Rid of Grubs In Lawn
In Hollow Knight, rescuing all 46 grubs and returning to the Grubfather rewards you with the "Metamorphosis" achievement, the powerful Grubberfly's Elegy charm, and a deeply disturbing twist.