Turf Tips: Lawn grubs or dry patches?
Lawn grubs or dry patches is a common conversation we are having with customers lately. With lawn grubs coming into season and warm dry weather we many people are worried about their lawns. One common problem we have seen recently is customers who think they have lawn grubs, when really they just have dry patches.
Why do people confuse lawn grubs or dry patches?
People confuse lawn grubs or dry patches because the symptoms can look similar. Often the first sign of lawn grubs is brown or bare patches in the lawn, and when it’s lawn grab season it’s easy to assume you have a grub problem.
If you do end up with brown or bare patches it is important to investigate further, as you don’t want to spray chemicals when you don’t have to. And more importantly if the patches are from drying out you need to get the water into them fast.
Investigating and treating lawn grubs.
Other warning signs of lawn grubs include white moths flying around at sundown, white egg sacs on your home as well as increased lawn grub predator activity such as birds or orange/black wasps. Our Look out for lawn grubs
blog post goes into these signs in more detail.
To see if you really do have grubs a simple test is to put a towel or cloth over the affected area. If there are lawn grubs they will be attracted by the moisture and attach themselves to the fabric.
To treat eradicate the lawn grubs you will need a lawn grub pesticide which can be purchased from our sales office or from Bunnings. Spray these chemicals as per the instructions.
These chemicals are non-residual so they will kill any existing grubs but not protect your lawn. For a preventative measure you will need to call a lawn care professional who can treat your lawn with professional chemicals that can kill the lawn grubs and provide 3-6 months protection from future lawn grub attacks.
Why do we get dry patches and how do we treat them
One reason why people quickly assume they have lawn grubs is because they are regularly watering their lawn. Dry patches though can appear even in well irrigated lawns. They don’t even consider lawn grubs or dry patches, they immediately treat for lawn grubs and don’t water.
Hard surfaces such as driveways or houses can hold the heat and dry out areas nearby. Also an area receiving more sunlight than other areas can lead to it drying out quicker. And even soil composition can lead to some areas needing more water than other areas.
If you start to see an area drying out quicker than other areas you need to adjust your watering schedule. For some people this is just starting a watering schedule!
It is important to understand that you may need to leave the sprinkler run longer in your problem areas to ensure your whole lawn stays healthy. It is also a good idea to use soil wetting agents to assist problem areas better cope with their environment.
If a dry patch gets left to long you may need to patch in a new piece of turf. You can purchase a single slab of turf to be cut in to replace a patch by visiting our sales office. Alternatively you can also visit your nearest Bunnings store as Jimboomba Turf supplies Bunnings stores across the South East and beyond.
To get more information on lawn grubs or dry patches or to order a new lawn call our team on (07) 3114 8230. You can also to pop in and order in person at our sales office on 1/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge. The office opens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm.
For more great turf, tips keep an eye on our website and all our social media channels.
