One of the biggest reasons Quincy homeowners call us is for grub control. There are three kinds of grub endemic to Western Massachusetts: Japanese beetles, European Chafers, and Oriental Beetles. You’ll know you have grubs in your yard when you see skunks, raccoons, and other native wildlife tearing up your grass – they’re looking to make a meal of the yummy, calorie-dense grubs. Other signs you have grubs include loose grass, that you can easily tear up by hand, and patches of grass that are brown.
People often want to know if there’s a threshold number. How many grubs are too many? When should I call my Quincy lawn service for grub treatment? The Massachusetts Master Gardeners association recommends cutting out a 4 inch by 4 inch square of turf and whacking it with the back of your shovel or trowel. Any grubs that are in that area will come out, so you can count them.
Grubs are most often white, although European Chafers can appear khaki or tan. If no grubs emerge from your test patch, and your lawn shows no other sign of grub infestation, you’re good to go. However, if you’re seeing more than 2-3 grubs in a 4 by 4 test patch, you have a situation that requires treatment.
The best Quincy lawn service will provide you with total grub protection. This means coming back to your lawn at least three times during the year to control the grubs at their most vulnerable stages of development. Grubs are the larval form of beetles, and as such, here in Quincy, need to be treated in the spring, summer and fall. Anyone who tells you they can give you a grub-free lawn with a single treatment is lying – grubs keep coming back. Keeping your Quincy lawn lush and healthy requires ongoing care.
