These underground pests have been causing serious turf trouble across Maine this year – and homeowners are noticing.
If your lawn has brown patches, feels spongy underfoot, or looks like it’s being torn up by skunks and crows, grubs might be the culprit. In Maine, 2025 has been a banner year for these lawn pests – and besides being pretty disgusting, they’re causing serious damage to lawns across the state.
What Are Grubs?
Grubs are the larvae of various types of beetles, most commonly Japanese beetles, June bugs, and European chafers. These plump, white, C-shaped critters live just beneath the surface of your lawn, quietly feeding on grassroots.
What Kind of Damage Do They Cause?
Grubs chew through the roots of your grass, disrupting its ability to absorb water and nutrients. That’s why you notice parts of your lawn turning brown or feel spongy. Worse still, they attract wildlife like skunks, raccoons, and birds, who dig up your lawn looking for a delicious grub meal. That turns a patchy lawn into a torn-up mess.
You might notice:
- Soft, spongy spots when walking across the lawn.
- Irregular brown patches that don’t green up with watering.
- Grass that easily lifts away from the soil (like carpet).
- Increased animal activity digging in the yard.
How to Check for Grubs
Cut a small square of turf in the damaged area of your lawn and peel it back. If you count more than 5 – 10 grubs, it’s time to take action. Even lower counts can cause problems, especially if your lawn is already stressed.
What Can You Do About It? – Maine Lawn Care
There are a few grub killers on the market as well as preventative solutions for grub control. Here’s what works:
Chemical Treatments
Dealing with grubs in your lawn should include both preventive and curative treatments. Preventative measures like applying grub control products in the spring before grubs hatch can be effective. For existing grubs, curative treatments like insecticides containing carbaryl or trichlorfon can be used to kill the grubs. Check at your local garden center for their recommendation, depending on the time of year and your goals.
Natural Options
A natural solution for grubs in your lawn includes using beneficial nematodes, applying milky spore disease, and utilizing neem oil. These methods are effective in controlling grub populations without harming beneficial insects or the environment.
Another tactic is to maintain a healthy lawn, soil and strong roots with proper aeration, watering, and fertilizing. A strong lawn is more resistant to grub damage.
Hire a Pro
Grub control can be tricky and mistimed treatments don’t work. A professional lawn care service can properly identify the problem, apply the right solution at the right time, and help restore your Maine lawn.
Don’t Wait – Act Now
By the time grub damage is visible, it may already be severe. If you suspect a problem, don’t wait for the damage to spread. Early action is the key to protecting your lawn and avoiding costly repairs.
This year, keep an eye on your lawn – grubs might be small, but they can do big damage fast. And if it gets out of hand, don’t hesitate to call in a lawn care professional for backup.
