White Grubs: Identification and Treatment in Georgia
White grubs destroy your lawn from below, severing roots until the turf peels away like a rug. Learn how to detect them early and stop the damage.
Pest profile
What Are White Grubs?
White grubs are the larval stage of Japanese beetles and other scarab beetles. They live just below the soil surface and feed on grass roots, severing the turf from its lifeline. In Middle Georgia, grub damage typically shows up in late summer and early fall when the larvae are actively feeding and the grass is already stressed from heat.
Identification
How to Identify White Grubs
C-shaped, cream-white larvae roughly 1 inch long when curled
Distinct brown head capsule with visible mouthparts
Three pairs of legs near the head end
Found 1–3 inches below the soil surface in the root zone
Adult Japanese beetles are metallic green with copper wing covers, active June through August
Damage signs
How White Grubs Damage Your Lawn
Damage Signs
Irregularly shaped brown patches that don’t respond to watering
Turf peels back like loose carpet when pulled — roots are severed
Spongy, soft feel underfoot in affected areas
Secondary damage from armadillos, moles, and birds digging for grubs
Detection Methods
The tug test: grab a handful of brown turf and pull. If it lifts with no resistance like a loose rug, grubs have eaten the roots.
Cut a 1-foot-square section of turf 3 inches deep and flip it over. Count the grubs — 10 or more per square foot means treatment is needed.
Watch for increased armadillo, mole, or bird activity digging in the lawn. They’re hunting grubs.
Brown patches that expand over days despite irrigation are a strong indicator.
Treatment
How We Treat White Grubs
We use a two-pronged approach. Preventive insecticide applied in June–July targets newly hatched grubs before they cause damage. If grubs are already present and feeding, a curative product kills active larvae within days. Either way, we follow up to make sure recovery is on track. Severely damaged areas may need overseeding or re-sodding once the grubs are eliminated.
Urgency level
Emergency or Routine Treatment?
Grub damage is a progressive problem, not an emergency. However, once you see spongy turf peeling up, the damage is already significant. Preventive treatment in early summer is far more effective than reactive treatment in fall. If you’re seeing damage now, curative products can stop further feeding, but the dead turf will need time to recover.
Affected grasses
Grass Types Vulnerable to White Grubs
Why Attaboy
Professional White Grubs Treatment from Attaboy
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About White Grubs
Why is my lawn peeling up like carpet?
That’s the hallmark of grub damage. White grubs feed on grass roots below the surface, severing the turf from the soil. Grab a section and pull — if it lifts with no resistance, grubs are the cause.
When should I treat for grubs in Georgia?
Preventive treatment in June–July is ideal. That’s when grubs are newly hatched and most vulnerable. By the time you see brown patches in September, the grubs are larger and harder to kill.
Will killing the grubs fix my brown patches?
Treatment stops further damage, but grass with severed roots needs time to regrow. Bermuda typically recovers on its own within a few weeks. Centipede and zoysia are slower. Severely damaged areas may need re-sodding.
Why are armadillos tearing up my yard?
Armadillos, moles, and birds dig in lawns to eat grubs. The wildlife damage is secondary — eliminate the grubs and the digging stops. We treat the grubs, not the armadillos.
Take action
Stop White Grubs Before the Damage Spreads
Every day you wait is another day pests feed on your lawn. Get professional insect control backed by our free re-treatment guarantee.
