Why Does Your Grass Pull Up So Easily?
When grass lifts out of the ground with no resistance, the roots are gone. We’ll identify what destroyed them and how to get your lawn anchored again.
Symptom overview
What This Looks Like
If you can grab a handful of grass and pull it up with no resistance, the root system has been destroyed. In Middle Georgia, grubs are the most common cause, but new sod failure and disease can also be responsible.
Possible causes
What Could Be Causing This
White Grub Infestation
White grubs (larvae of Japanese beetles, June bugs, and masked chafers) feed on grass roots 1–3 inches below the surface. When the population is heavy enough, they sever the entire root system. The turf peels back like a loose rug.
Learn moreNew Sod Not Rooted
Newly installed sod that doesn’t receive consistent moisture for the first 2–3 weeks may fail to root. The sod sits on top of the soil without anchoring and pulls up easily. Hard clay soil that wasn’t properly prepared is a common contributing factor.
Large Patch Root Rot
Severe large patch infections can extend into the root system and stolons, weakening the grass’s anchor to the soil. Affected areas pull up more easily than healthy turf, especially along the active edge of the disease.
Learn moreMole Cricket Damage
Mole crickets tunnel through the top few inches of soil, severing roots and creating air pockets beneath the turf. The grass feels loose and pulls up because the root connections have been physically torn apart by tunneling.
Learn moreNematode Damage
Plant-parasitic nematodes attack root systems at a microscopic level, gradually destroying the grass’s ability to anchor and absorb water. Damage is subtle at first but progresses to easy pull-up in sandy soils.
Diagnose it
Narrow Down the Cause
When you pull back the loose turf, do you see white C-shaped grubs in the soil?
Grubs are confirmed. If you see more than 5 grubs per square foot, treatment is needed. We use curative insecticides that eliminate the current population and preventive products that stop the next generation.
Grubs may not be present, or they’ve already pupated and left. Check for tunneling (mole crickets) or look at the root system for signs of rot or nematode damage.
Was this sod installed in the last 6 months?
The sod may not have rooted properly. Check if the sod feels like it’s sitting on top of the soil rather than growing into it. Watering issues and poor soil prep are the usual causes.
Established turf that suddenly pulls up easily has experienced root destruction from pests or disease.
Do you see raised tunnels or small mounds of soil pushed up in the affected area?
Mole crickets are likely present. Their tunneling severs roots and creates air pockets. Treat with an appropriate insecticide labeled for mole crickets.
Without tunneling evidence, grubs or disease are more likely causes of the root loss.
Still not sure? A professional lawn assessment takes the guesswork out of it.
Get QuoteSeasonal timing
When This Is Most Common
Grub damage in Middle Georgia peaks in late summer and early fall (August–October) when larvae are largest and feeding most aggressively. Mole crickets are active from spring through fall. Preventive grub control is best applied in May–June before eggs hatch.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grubs are too many?
The threshold for treatment is typically 5–10 grubs per square foot, depending on grass type and overall lawn health. A few grubs are normal and won’t cause visible damage. Heavy infestations (15+ per square foot) cause rapid, severe damage.
Can my lawn recover from grub damage?
If caught early, warm-season grasses can regrow from surviving stolons and roots once the grubs are eliminated. Severe damage where the turf peels up completely usually requires resodding after the grubs are treated.
How do I prevent grubs?
A preventive insecticide applied in late spring or early summer (before grub eggs hatch) is the most effective approach. We include preventive grub control as part of our insect control add-on program.
Related problems
Other Lawn Problems to Consider
Take action
Stop Guessing and Start Fixing
Every lawn problem has a solution. Get a professional diagnosis and targeted treatment plan from Attaboy Lawn Care.
