Grubs 101 - Understanding Ottawa's Biggest Lawn Care Pest

If the City of Ottawa website is right, Ottawa area residents should be bracing for a grub problem this summer. Grubs are one of the biggest lawn care pest populations in the Ottawa area, and also one of the most difficult insect populations to control. If you're already noticing some damage on your lawn, now's the time to take action and treat for a grub infestation.

How to Tell if You Have Grubs
If your lawn is already showing damage this early in the season, it could be because of grubs. The Ottawa lawn care experts at Nutri-Lawn Inground Sprinkler Systems distinguish grub damage using the following criteria:

• Is the damage widespread? Grub damage appears as dead patches on your lawn, often in distressingly large areas.
• Did you notice damage last fall? Grub damage is often at it's peak in the fall months.
• Is your lawn always spongy feeling, like it was just watered it with your Ottawa inground sprinkler system, even though it wasn't? Grub damaged areas will feel soft and spongy when you walk on them before the grass actually dies as the grubs have eaten the root system out from under your turf.
• Have you noticed that more and more squirrels, raccoons, and skunks have been hanging around your Ottawa property? These animals find grubs delicious, and while they're helping eliminate the pests from your lawn, these furry creatures are likely causing even more damage digging up your turf searching for their next meal.

How To Tell What Type of Grub You're Dealing With
Ottawa residents are plagued by two different types of white grubs – June Beetle Larvae and the European Chafer. While these grubs are very similar in appearance, they do have a few distinguishing features. The Ottawa lawn care specialists at Nutri-Lawn Inground Sprinkler Systems recommend inspecting the underside (raster) of the grub's abdomen in order to find out exactly what type of pest you're dealing with. June Beetle Larvae have spines on the their underside that are in two parallel lines that converge at both ends. The European Chafer have spines that form a narrow "V" with the top ends diverging.

How to Protect Your Ottawa Lawn Against Grubs
The best offence is a good defence when it comes to protecting your lawn from grubs. Healthy, vigorous lawns are able to tolerate a moderate grub infestation without withstanding too much noticeable damage. This is because a healthy lawn has a larger, stronger root system and won't be impacted as much if grubs do decide to move in. The best way to grow a healthy lawn is correct cultural practice and ensuring the your grass irrigation is properly maintained. Installing an inground sprinkler system from Nutri-Lawn Ottawa will help ensure that your lawn is receiving just the right amount of moisture all season long.

If your lawn is already in a vulnerable state, the lawn care professionals at Nutri-Lawn Inground Sprinkler Systems highly recommend applying parasitic nematodes to your turf in order to help eliminate the spread of pesky grubs. Like raccoons and skunks, microscopic nematodes also enjoy feasting on grubs, but unlike their four legged counterparts, nematodes cause absolutely no additional damage to your property. In order to work properly, nematodes must be applied when the soil is moist, so don't forget to turn your Ottawa inground sprinkler system on first for proper grass irrigation. Not sure if your lawn could benefit from an nematode application? Then contact the lawn care specialists at Nutri-Lawn today for a professional consultation and recommendation.

Don't let grubs get the best of your Ottawa lawn this summer. Consult with the local lawn care specialists at Nutri-Lawn today to ensure your property is properly protected.