Grubs and armyworms are common insects that infest lawns in Greensboro, NC. Grubs can damage your lawn by feeding on its roots and leaving it unattached to the soil. Because of this, it will feel spongy to walk on, lift easily like a carpet, and have brown patches. Meanwhile, armyworms feed on the grass blades and can cause extensive damage in a short time. Armyworm damage causes the grass blades to have a skeletonized appearance and discolored patches across your turf. If you suspect that your lawn is infested by either of these pests, contact professionals immediately. They can inspect it to determine which it is and apply the appropriate curative treatment to eliminate the infestation.

What does grub damage look like?

Lawns in Greensboro, NC, are often plagued by grubs. These pests are the larvae of beetles, spanning only up to two inches when fully developed. However, don't let their small size fool you! Grubs feed on the roots of your grass, preventing it from absorbing nutrients and vital resources from the soil. Here are some tell-tale signs that indicate damage from a grub infestation:

  • Your lawn feels spongy to walk on. Because grubs cause your lawn to become unanchored to the soil, it won't have a solid tether and will feel soft and spongy when you walk on it. If you try pulling it up, it will also lift easily like a carpet.
  • There is an increased animal presence on your lawn. Animals like raccoons and birds feed on grubs. If you see these animals constantly rummaging around your turf, they are likely looking for grubs to eat.
  • Your lawn has brown patches. Since your lawn's roots become a meal for grubs, parts of it will turn brown and die.

You can try digging up a spot on your lawn and check if there are grubs—the presence of 10 or more in a small area indicates an infestation.

What does an armyworm-infested lawn look like?

Armyworms are not new in Greensboro, NC. These pests start becoming active in the summer, feeding on the grass blades and skeletonizing them. They are destructive pests because they move in groups and can quickly cause severe damage to large parts of your lawn. At first glance, an armyworm-infested lawn looks like it has been flattened and has brown patches all over. When you inspect the grass blades closely, they will appear chewed and torn.

What should you do if your lawn shows signs of a grub or armyworm infestation?

If your lawn shows signs of a grub or armyworm infestation, prompt intervention is crucial. You'll want to contact lawn care professionals immediately so they can inspect your turf and determine which insect is damaging it. Grub and armyworm damage can look similar, as they will both exhibit patches of brown grass, so hiring professionals will ensure your lawn gets the proper treatment to target the specific culprit. Once they determine which it is, they'll apply their respective curative treatment to eliminate them. They can also offer expert opinions on how to nurse your damaged lawn back to health!

Call us today to sign up for our lawn insect control treatments!

Pests have no business infesting your lawn and causing extensive damage. Here at Ideal Landscaping & Irrigation, we can protect and defend your lawn from insect infestations with our lawn insect control treatments, which are offered as part of our full-service landscape maintenance program. Our team offers preventative grub control treatments and curative treatments for grubs and armyworms, providing effective solutions against these problematic lawn pests. Our full-service maintenance program, which includes our lawn insect control treatments, is available to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Summerfield, NC, and nearby communities. Give us a call today at (336) 396-9191 to sign up!