When do grubs hatch

Birds, skunks, raccoons, armadillos, foxes, wild pigs and moles may dig up a lawn while looking for a tasty grub meal. These varmints can do more damage to a lawn with their digging then the damage caused by the grubs themselves. Grubs are members of the scarab beetle family. Some of these stout-bodied insects can be colorful in design.

Fun fact, the ancient Egyptians fashioned jewelry that depicted the shape of the scarab beetle. The scarab beetle that was common in ancient Egypt is the dung beetle. It had a habit of rolling balls of dung and deposited the balls in their burrows, on to which they would lay their eggs. When the eggs hatched, the larvae would feed on the ball of dung. After the ball was consumed, the young adults would emerge from the burrow, looking for more food or a mate.

This emergence was seen as a type of creation and it was associated with one of their gods. They feed on over different kinds of plants, including ornamentals, vegetables, and field crops. During feeding periods, Japanese beetles can cause considerable damage to the foliage, fruit, and flowers. The female beetle lays eggs in the top inches of soil.

Eggs hatch in days into 0. These tiny grubs begin feeding on grass roots. After feeding, the posterior end of the body becomes black or gray. After weeks , the grubs molt into second instars, which feed for weeks before molting to the final or third instar.

Mature grubs are about 1—inch long. The head is yellow-brown. Feeding continues through the fall until the beginning of winter. At this time , the grubs move deeper into the soil. In March or early April, depending on the current climate trends, the grubs move back into the root zone, feed for a short time and pupate. After weeks, the adults emerge from the soil, mate, feed, and start the cycle again by laying eggs. Healthy turfgrass that is not under stress usually can tolerate 10 grubs per square foot.

However, skunks, armadillos, raccoons, and other animals may dig up the turfgrass when grub populations are present and cause significant damage. Six to eight grubs per square foot may be a safer treatment threshold for healthy turfgrass. Treatment threshold levels are predetermined insect levels where a control measure is recommended.

The adult has a shiny, light red-brown body , and a chocolate brown head. The size is about 0. The adult beetles do not feed. They are often attracted to lights at night. Newly hatched grubs are about 0. The grubs are white when they first hatch, but turn gray after feeding. Mature third instar grubs are about 1 inch long. The head is chestnut brown. Masked chafers have a one-year life cycle. The egg stage lasts 14 to 21 days, the larval stage 10 to 11 months, the pre-pupal and pupal stage 15 to 21 days, and adults days.

The feeding cycle of the grubs is very similar to that of Japanese beetles. However, the grubs tend to feed on the roots just below the thatch layer. Damage is most severe in the late summer and fall. Drought conditions and hot weather during this period can intensify the damage symptoms.

Populations of 40 or more grubs per square foot are fairly common. At these levels, dead patches of turfgrass often appear and can be easily lifted.

Skunks, armadillos, and raccoons often will dig in the turfgrass for the grubs. Well—managed turfgrass may be able to tolerate 20 grubs per square foot. Stressed turfgrass will develop symptoms when eight or more grubs per square foot are present. Found throughout the United States, several species are established in South Carolina. Generally, adults are somewhat oval, are 0.

Adults are active at night and are attracted to lights. They feed on the leaves of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. May and June beetles usually have a two to three year life cycle. The eggs are laid singly in cells in the upper soil layers. Hatching occurs in a few days and the young grubs begin to feed on grass roots.

The first and second instars are present for only a short time. Most of the life cycle is spent as a third—instar grub. Just before pupation, the mature grub stops feeding and empties its gut. This gives the rear end of the grub a shrunken appearance.

This is referred to as the pre-pupal stage. I have grubs all over my lawn. I can pull up the grass just like a loose carpet. Want to know what is the best treatment to get rid of these pest that are ruining my once nice lawn.

When is the best time to start a treatment and what should I use. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Table of Contents show. What to do after putting down grub control pesticide. Do you need to apply grub control every year? What to Look for in Grub Preventers. How often should you apply grub control? Can GrubEx be applied in the fall? One application in the spring or early summer kills and prevents grubs for 4 months, satisfaction or your money back Helps prevent root damage caused by insects for a stronger lawn Prevents turf damage by killing grubs when they are young.

Alex K. Check Price. We need to remember that these nematodes are living, breathing organisms, and they need special handling in their storage and shipment. This extra care carries through to the application. Prior to applying this type of curative control measure be sure to check the expiration date on each package of insect parasitic nematodes. You need to apply a curative application during the summer when the grubs are small and actively feeding near the surface.

Depending on where you are located in Pennsylvania, this could be from August through mid-September. You will need to sample on a regular basis to determine the absence or presence of grubs and which larval instar is actively feeding. In some cases you may be able to spot treat where the damage is located. Curative grub controls usually have short active residual periods. Therefore, a curative application has to be made at the proper time. Please note that all products should be irrigated in after treatment according to specific label directions.

Some individuals also make a spring application, which is usually not as effective as the summer application. This may be attributed to the fact that grubs are larger and are not as easily controlled in the spring.

Likewise, using a curative insecticide with a limited residual effect in April or May affords no protection against reinfestation by egg-laying adult beetles later in the season. A number of registered formulations can be used in a preventive white grub control program The need for a preventive application can be based on historical monitoring of the site, previous records or experiences, current-season adult trapping or other methods.

Most homeowner insecticide formulations for preventive grub control state that the product should be applied before grubs hatch or prior to egg hatch. Prior to purchasing a product be sure to read the label regarding optimum time to treat for grubs.

Based on adult trap catches of northern masked chafer in from central Pennsylvania, preventive applications could have been applied from mid-June through mid-July since northern masked chafer egg hatch occurs approximately 14 to 21 days after egg lay.

However, it is important to remember that this information is based on data collected from central Pennsylvania or University Park, Pa. You would have to adjust your treatment schedule based on what happened in your specific geographical region.

Properly timing an application of a registered preventive grub control formulation is very critical. It is important to recognize that weather conditions and soil conditions can influence beetle emergence each year. Japanese beetle adult emergence was very close to northern masked chafer emergence in Thus, timing a preventive application for control of Japanese beetle grubs would be very similar to the northern masked chafers' application timing. Japanese beetle eggs usually hatch approximately 14 days after being laid.

Hence, a preventive application of a registered insecticide applied between mid-June and mid-July in in Centre County should have provided preventive control of the two latter scarab white grubs i. Please refer to specific labels for use site restrictions, dosage rates, safety equipment, application timing, and so forth.

A review of trap data indicated that first flight of adult Asiatic garden beetle was recorded in early July. Asiatic garden beetle eggs hatch about 10 days after being laid by the adult female. Although we do not have European chafers in central Pennsylvania, they have been known to appear prior to emergence of northern masked chafer adults.

The use of a black light trap can greatly assist in determining the optimum time to apply a preventive control measure. Pesticides are poisonous. Read and follow directions and safety precautions on labels.

Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock.