Save Your Lawn From Destructive White Grubs

Beneath your grass, C-shaped white grubs are eating the roots that keep your lawn alive. These larvae of Japanese beetles and June bugs can destroy an entire lawn in weeks. Our root protection treatment kills grubs and brings your lawn back to life.

Grubs destroy grass roots — your lawn peels up like carpet
They attract moles, skunks, and raccoons that dig up your yard
Adult beetles emerge and damage your flowers and shrubs too
Call (734) 436-3017Learn More About Honorable Shield
5-Star Rating
500+ Homes Protected
Honorable Pest Control truck ready for grub treatment in Michigan

What Are White Grubs?

White grubs are the larval (baby) stage of scarab beetles. In Michigan, they are most commonly the larvae of Japanese beetles, June bugs (also called May beetles), and European chafers. They are C-shaped, creamy white, about half an inch to one inch long, with a brown head and six small legs.

Grubs live underground in the top 2 to 4 inches of soil, feeding on the roots of your grass. As they eat, the grass above loses its root system and dies — turning brown and pulling up easily. In late spring, grubs transform into adult beetles that emerge to mate, lay eggs in your lawn, and start the cycle over. This means grubs damage your lawn underground while the adults damage your flowers and shrubs above ground.

Signs of a Grub Infestation

Brown Patches That Spread

Irregular dead or browning patches in your lawn that keep getting bigger despite regular watering — the roots are being eaten below.

Grass Peels Up Like Carpet

Turf that rolls back easily when you grab and pull it — the roots have been severed by grubs, leaving the grass completely unanchored.

Animals Digging Your Lawn

Skunks, raccoons, and birds tearing up patches of your lawn to eat grubs — they can smell them underground and dig to feast.

Spongy, Soft Lawn Feel

Walking on your lawn feels spongy or bouncy in areas — this means grubs have detached the turf from the soil underneath.

Mole Tunnels Appearing

Raised tunnel ridges across your lawn — moles follow grub populations, so mole activity often indicates a serious grub problem below.

Japanese Beetles in Summer

Seeing metallic green and copper Japanese beetles on your roses and plants in July — they are laying eggs in your lawn that will become next season's grubs.

Why Michigan Lawns Suffer From Grubs

Michigan's climate creates a perfect cycle for grub damage. Adult Japanese beetles and June bugs are active from late June through August, laying eggs in irrigated lawns. The eggs hatch in late July through August and the young grubs feed aggressively on roots through September and October.

Michigan's love of lush, well-watered lawns actually makes the problem worse — female beetles prefer to lay eggs in moist, irrigated turf because the eggs need moisture to survive. Your beautiful watered lawn is a prime egg-laying target. The state's rich, loamy soils also provide ideal root-feeding conditions for developing grubs.

By the time most Michigan homeowners notice brown patches in August or September, grubs have been feeding for weeks and serious root damage has already occurred. Preventive treatment in late June or early July — before eggs hatch — is far more effective and less costly than trying to save a lawn after grub damage has set in.

Our 3-Step Grub Elimination Process

We protect your lawn from below with a seasonally-timed treatment that kills grubs and prevents future beetle egg survival.

1
Inspect & Assess Damage

We inspect your lawn for grub damage signs, pull back turf samples to count grub populations, and identify which beetle species are responsible — each has slightly different treatment timing.

2
Treat with Targeted Products

We apply professional-grade grub control products across your lawn, timed for maximum effectiveness. Preventive treatments stop eggs from developing; curative treatments kill active grubs feeding on your roots.

3
Prevent with Annual Protection

Since new beetles fly in each summer, we recommend annual preventive treatment applied at the optimal window. This keeps your lawn grub-free year after year and eliminates the mole attraction.

Why Choose Honorable Pest Control

Licensed & Insured

Fully licensed Michigan pest control professionals with comprehensive insurance for your protection.

Perfect Timing

We apply treatments at the precise biological window when grubs are most vulnerable — timing is everything with grub control.

Pro-Grade Products

We use professional products not available at hardware stores — more effective and longer-lasting than consumer grub killers.

Lawn Recovery Help

We advise on overseeding and lawn recovery after grub damage so your yard comes back thick and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are white grubs and where do they come from?

White grubs are the larval stage of scarab beetles — most commonly Japanese beetles, June bugs (May/June beetles), and European chafers in Michigan. Adult beetles lay eggs in your lawn in summer. The eggs hatch into C-shaped, creamy white larvae with brown heads that live underground feeding on grass roots. A single female Japanese beetle can lay 40-60 eggs in your lawn.

How do I know if grubs are destroying my lawn?

The classic grub damage test: grab a handful of brown, dying grass and pull. If it lifts up like a loose carpet with no roots attached, you have grubs eating the roots underneath. Other signs include irregular brown patches that get worse despite watering, increased bird and skunk activity (they dig for grubs), and spongy-feeling lawn areas. You can also cut a one-foot square of sod and peel it back — more than 5-10 grubs per square foot indicates a damaging population.

When should I treat for grubs in Michigan?

The best time for preventive grub treatment in Michigan is late June through mid-July, before eggs hatch and while grubs are small and near the surface. Curative treatments work best in August through September when grubs are actively feeding but still young. By October, grubs move deeper into the soil for winter and treatments become less effective. Spring treatments are possible but less reliable as grubs are large and deep.

Do grubs attract moles to my yard?

Yes, grubs are a primary food source for moles. If you have a grub problem, moles will likely follow — tunneling through your lawn to feed on the larvae. Eliminating grubs removes a major food source that attracts moles, though moles also eat earthworms. Treating grubs is often the first step in a comprehensive mole control strategy.

Will grubs come back after treatment?

Grubs can return each year because adult beetles fly in from surrounding areas to lay eggs. A single treatment eliminates the current grub population, but preventive treatment each summer is recommended for ongoing protection. Our annual grub prevention program applies treatment at the optimal time each year to keep your lawn grub-free season after season.

Protect Your Lawn From Grub Damage Today

The sooner you treat, the more of your lawn you save. Call today for a free inspection and get professional grub control before the damage spreads.

Call (734) 436-3017
5-Star Rated
Licensed & Insured
500+ Homes Protected