Sometimes, no matter how well you water and fertilize your lawn, you still get dead, brown spots. If this is the case, your lawn might be experiencing a grub infestation, which can do considerable damage if you let the grubs continue to grow and feast unchecked. How long does it take grubs to destroy your lawn? To help you understand how grubs infest and kill once-healthy lawns, here's a brief summary of the grub life cycle.

Spring
In early spring, mature grubs wake up from their hibernation and dig themselves up from deep in the soil to just below the surface of the grass. They change from a pupae stage into beetles, which feed on your trees, shrubs, and roses.

Summer
Well fed on your landscaping, the beetles burrow back into your lawn and lay eggs, producing the next generation of grubs.

Fall
As the weather begins to cool, newly hatched grubs gain strength by eating your lawn's roots. These nutrient-rich roots give them the energy stores necessary for hibernation over the winter. Unfortunately, your lawn withers away as its root system is destroyed.

What can be done to stop the cycle of destruction that grubs inflict on your lawn? And when should you pay attention to possible grub damage?

Waiting until you see brown spots in your lawn is not a good way to handle grubs. By the time your grass begins dying, the root system has been severely damaged. Even before the grass turns brown, you may notice that some areas of your lawn feel spongy when you walk on them. Usually, when a lawn turns spongy, the root system is so damaged that you can peel back the turf like you'd peel back a piece of carpet.

Another way to tell if you have grub damage is to observe the wildlife in your yard. Moles, skunks, raccoons, and robins love to feast on grubs, so if you see these animals digging or nosing around in your grass, it's wise to suspect a grub infestation.

Fortunately, we have the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent and treat grub damage in residential lawns. Of course, it's always best to preventgrub damage in the first place, so we offer this service as part of our Basic and Deluxe Care Packages. In addition, we offer optional grub treatment as a separate service for customers who desire a more personalized plan.

Drought
Last year's drought was hard on lawns. Since the moisture level was low last summer, grubs stayed around a little longer than usual, causing more damage than usual. Lawns need a little extra care this year to make up for last year's harsh conditions. If spots of your lawn were destroyed by grubs last year, it's time to re-seed or re-sod those areas.

For more information about how to prevent grub damage or to learn about your options for rehabilitating a lawn with existing grub damage, contact usat Weed Pro. Our lawn care professionals can answer your questions and even give you a quote on lawn services. Our technicians have the experience and tools to improve, strengthen, and beautify your lawn.

Robert Palmer is the founder and owner of Weed Pro Lawn Care. Since opening in 2001, Weed Pro Lawn Care has become one of the nation’s leading lawn care companies. A respected leader in both the local community & industry, Rob has received many industry awards, such as the OTF’s Lawn Care Professional of the year. Additionally, Rob is a regular contributor to the Weed Pro Blog, and other industry magazines and blogs.  Rob on Google+     Rob on LinkedIn     Rob on Twitter

Photo Credit: GregTheBrusker