Quick Answer: To get rid of lawn grubs, first confirm they are the problem by peeling back a square of turf and looking for white, C-shaped larvae in the top few inches of soil. If you find more than a handful per square foot, treat the lawn with a targeted grub control product, watered in well so it reaches the root zone where grubs feed. In New Orleans, late spring through summer is the prime treatment window, when young grubs are feeding near the surface and easiest to control.
Detailed Explanation
Lawn grubs are the larvae of beetles, including June beetles and chafers. They live in the soil and feed on grass roots, which is what makes them so damaging. A grub-infested lawn develops brown, wilting patches that feel spongy and can be rolled back like loose carpet, because the roots have been chewed away.
The first step is confirming grubs are actually the cause. Brown patches have many possible reasons, from drought stress to fungus. Cut a one-foot square of turf and lift it. If you see several white, C-shaped grubs in the top two or three inches of soil, you have your answer. Finding more than about five to ten per square foot signals a problem worth treating.
Treatment works best when it is matched to the grubs' life stage. Young grubs feeding near the surface are far easier to control than older, deeper ones. The product has to be watered in thoroughly so it moves down to the root zone where the grubs are. A treatment that sits on the surface does little.
For the full picture on grubs and other lawn pests, see our guide to grub and lawn pest control.
Important Considerations
New Orleans timing is specific. Our long, warm season means beetles are active for a wide stretch, but the best treatment window is late spring through summer, when young grubs are feeding near the surface. Treating too early or too late, when grubs are deep or have matured into beetles, gives weak results.
Watering is not optional. Our heavy clay soil can keep product from moving down on its own, so deep watering after application is essential. At the same time, our high water table and storm-season rains can wash product away if the timing is poor, so we schedule around the forecast.
Damaged lawns often need more than just grub control. Once roots are chewed up, the turf cannot take in water well, and the patches need help recovering. Aeration and a feeding plan speed that recovery. The full feeding schedule is in our lawn fertilization schedule for New Orleans.
Watch for secondary damage too. Raccoons, armadillos, and birds dig up lawns to eat grubs, which can shred a weak lawn overnight. If you see fresh digging, grubs are often the reason underneath.
Eco-friendly options exist as well, including beneficial nematodes for homeowners who prefer a lower-chemical approach. We are glad to walk through those choices.
What to Do Next
If your lawn has spongy brown patches that lift easily, or you have spotted white grubs in the soil, acting quickly limits the damage. TurnKey Lawn Care will confirm the cause, treat at the right life stage, water it in correctly for our clay soil, and build a recovery plan for the damaged turf.
Call (504) 386-5468 today for a free estimate. We are your friendly neighborhood lawn care partner across the New Orleans metro, from Kenner and Metairie to Slidell, Mandeville, and Hammond. Our pricing is transparent and competitive, with no hidden charges and a satisfaction guarantee.
For the full seasonal plan, visit our parent guide to seasonal lawn care in New Orleans.