Identifying and Managing White Grubs in Turf

White grubs are the larval stage of several scarab beetle species that feed on grass roots causing wide variation in damage. Last fall, we saw an abundance of white grub damage around Vermont, so it is likely, that we will see more damage this spring and summer. However, grub damage can vary significantly from year to year and we know that turf that receives adequate water and has a healthy root system can tolerate high numbers of grubs without showing signs of damage. Research in upstate New York has shown that insecticide treatments are only needed about twenty percent of the time on both home lawns and golf course fairways; therefore, the consistent use of a season long preventative insecticide is unnecessary in a majority of cases.