Grubs and webworms are two of the most common turf-damaging insects we encounter here in Northern Colorado. These pests can quickly cause significant damage to your lawn, often going unnoticed until it’s too late for effective treatment. Once the damage is done, repairing or replacing your lawn can be both costly and time-consuming. That’s why preventative treatments are key to protecting your turf.
Let’s Talk About Grubs
We’re not talking about the small Billbug grubs that have been around for decades—we’re talking about the large, fat white grubs that have become increasingly common in recent years. These grubs are the larval stage of beetles and live below the surface of your lawn, feeding on grass roots. As they feed, they can kill entire patches of grass from below.
To make matters worse, grubs are a favorite food of raccoons and skunks. These nocturnal critters often dig up lawns at night while foraging, causing even more visible damage. While they do help reduce grub populations, they aren’t exactly gentle on your lawn in the process.
Once grubs reach the stage where they’re actively damaging the turf, they become difficult to control. The good news? Preventative treatments are highly effective—and today’s products are much more environmentally friendly, posing less risk to people, pets, and pollinators. As always, success depends on using the right product, applied at the right time, and in the right way.
What About Sod Webworms?
Sod webworms are the caterpillar stage of small moths. In many cases, a healthy lawn can tolerate a small population without major damage, and treatment may not be necessary. The adult moths themselves are harmless to your turf.
However, in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in a particularly damaging variety of sod webworms: the Cranberry Girdler. These pests feed aggressively in late summer and early fall, just as the lawn is preparing to go dormant. This timing allows them to go largely unnoticed—until spring, when large dead patches begin to appear. By then, the damage is done, and those areas often need to be reseeded or replaced with sod.
As with grubs, controlling webworms once damage is visible can be a challenge. Preventative treatment is your best defense. And just like with grubs, proper timing, product selection, and application technique are essential for success.
Final Thoughts
If you’re concerned about grub or webworm damage—or want to stay ahead of the game with preventative care—our team is here to help. We’ve been protecting lawns in Northern Colorado since 1983, and we know what it takes to keep your turf healthy and strong all season long.
Have questions or need a professional opinion? Give us a call—we’re happy to help.
