When Should Apply Grub Control in Ontario?

For Ontario homeowners, getting your lawn in tip-top shape each year depends largely on knowing when and how to get rid of pesky grubs that eat your lawn. These little buggers eat the roots of grass, causing dead or dying lawns.

In addition to feeding on roots, grubs also attract hungry hosts with equally destructive habits, such as moles and skunks. This, in turn, causes more damage to your garden, as these creatures burrow for grubs and create ugly holes and tunnels everywhere.

The damage caused by these animals usually requires significant effort to repair and if you are an older person, it is usually quite a difficult task. That is why in this short guide we will tell you when is the best time to apply grub control in Ontario and how professionals can help you without you having to invest your time and effort.

Explaining The Life Cycle of Maggots

Knowing the life cycle of grubs is critical to properly managing populations. These beetles lay eggs in the summer months, usually around July, and hatch as larvae shortly thereafter.

When the larvae mature, they begin to feed intensively, and this usually occurs in late summer and early fall. This is the time when they are highly destructive and also the most dangerous time for homes.

During the winter, the worms burrow deep into the soil to survive the freezing temperatures. They then move on to feed on the deep roots of your garden. If you know this cycle, you can time your grub control accordingly and catch them before they become a problem.

Signs of Grub Infestation

Detecting grub activity before it gets out of control can mean the difference between maintaining a healthy lawn or replacing it.

• One of the first signs that tell when grub control needs to be applied in Ontario are the patchy brown spots that can appear in late summer or early fall because the root system has been damaged. These spots are easily lifted from the ground compared to drought-damaged turf.
• Wildlife begins to move in more frequently. Both birds and mammals (raccoons, skunks) begin to dig up the lawn in search of these grubs. If your yard suddenly becomes a mecca for animal life, it’s a sign that grubs are present.
• Finally, spongy grass is a telltale sign. If your lawn is soft to walk on, fluffier or feels spongy underfoot, it may indicate that grubs are feeding on the roots of the grass, so it’s not as well anchored in the soil.

When to Practice Grub Control?

For a grub control application in Ontario, a proper schedule is essential. Here we will give you a brief sample of how to organize your schedule.

Timing of Treatment

The best time to apply grub control treatment in Ontario is late summer and early fall. You should start practicing grub control approximately between mid-August and September 10, when grubs are small and therefore more susceptible to management strategies.

Applying grub control during this period ensures that larvae are attacked before they overwinter in the deep water. It is important to act quickly, as the longer you wait, the more damage grubs will do to your lawn.

Spring Applications

Although spring applications are also effective, they are generally not as effective as late summer or early fall applications because the grubs have grown up and become more resistant. But, even if the fall opportunity has been missed, contractors can treat the problem in the spring, as long as it is done with cultural practices to reverse turfgrass health.

Grub Control Methods

There are different grub control techniques, with their advantages and disadvantages.

• Chemical insecticides are a given: products with active ingredients imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole are often used, which can protect the plant all season long.
• Beneficial nematodes are a more natural option: These small creatures devour grubs and represent another natural solution. Apply them when soil temperatures are warm and good moisture contributes to their effectiveness.
• Cultural practices that help reduce their numbers: Ensuring a healthy lawn through proper watering, mowing and fertilizing can help minimize grubs by encouraging strong root systems that allow the lawn to tolerate some level of grub feeding.

Lawn Preparation Before Treatment

You should not seek to apply any type of grub control until you have the lawn prepared. Before treatment, be sure to water the lawn well a few days beforehand. This attracts grubs to the surface, where they are easier to control.

Make sure the mower is at the right height, so it doesn’t take all the grass at once. A higher mowing height positively affects the growth of deep grassroots, which can act as a natural deterrent to grub infestations by providing strong roots.

Finally, it is important to follow product instructions. Applying the guidelines based on the treatment will ensure that you get good results without damaging your lawn.

How do You Keep Your Lawn Healthy All Year Round?

The ideal offense against grubs is a good defense. The need for root development and water absorption requires near-constant soil aeration. This helps maintain a healthy lawn that can tolerate low levels of pest pressure.

Developing a regular fertilization plan based on the type of grass in your lawn is another way to keep your lawn healthy. Balanced nutrients not only provide an important foundation for healthy growth, but allow the lawn to recover quickly from pests and decrease future infestations.

Practicing good mowing habits also helps keep your lawn healthy. Make sure your mower blades are sharp and only cut one-third the height of the grass at a time. This reduces turf stress and promotes a thick, healthy lawn.

Common Myths About Grub Control

There are numerous myths surrounding grub control that can damage your lawn. Among the most talked about, you can find:

• All brown spots are caused by grubs. However, drought, disease or other pests can produce the same symptoms.
• Applying grub control products will kill the beetles, regardless of when you apply them. Remember, this is all a matter of timing and that is, if you apply the treatments at the wrong time, you can cause damage to the turf.
• Others think that once you’ve treated the grubs once, they’re gone forever. But in reality, continually monitoring them is important to control new infestations and to keep your lawn naturally healthy over time.

Why Seek Professional Help

Most homeowners can simply take care of lawn care and general pest management when it comes to grubs; however, if the problem, may require the help of a professional. Also, if you are someone older, you may find doing this work to be an exhausting task.

Professional access to different treatment options and an advanced understanding of pest behavior is knowledge that the average homeowner may not have. They know exactly what is causing the damage, so treatments can focus on eradicating the root of the turf problem and not just treating surface symptoms.

Professionals often have more potent, environmentally friendly chemicals and the knowledge to apply these treatments at the proper intervals for maximum effectiveness. Calling in the professionals can save you time, reduce the risk of further damage to these lawn gaps and maintain a healthy lawn.

Why Choose Our Services to Apply Grub Control in Ontario?

Our innovative methods and environmentally friendly products effectively combat grubs while restoring your lawn to health. Our staff undergoes a rigorous training program to perform thorough property inspections, allowing us to identify specific problems your lawn may be experiencing.

In addition, at Custodia we are a company that cares about your well-being, especially if you are a senior citizen. That’s why we provide you with multiple solutions and benefits so you can get your professional services such as:

• Low prices for you to decide the service without losing all your money.
• Secure payment methods so that your money is protected.
• Monthly payment plans so you can take care of your budget, especially if you are a senior citizen.

If you select us to work on your lawn, take pride in knowing that true professionals put 100% effort into maintaining the health and appearance of your lawn.