Green Roof Grub Infestations

Last fall we helped swarthmore college diagnose and treat a white grub infestation on one of their green roofs.

Green roof grub infestations.

By recognizing the infestation signs early the college s professional horticulture team was able to control the grub problem through organic pest control methods. Shake them from plants into a jar of soapy water early in the morning when they re less active. Grubs feed on the roots of grass and other plants. The friendly neighborhood lawn technicians at green lawn fertilizing are here to help.

Signs of grub infestation grass that won t turn green even when watered may have root damage. Although none of these methods is foolproof keeping up with regular lawn maintenance can go a long way toward preventing common problems including lawn grubs. Preventing lawn grubs. Their larva lawn grubs live in the soil eating on the roots of grass and other organic matter leaving it dry brown and dead.

The best way to repair a grub damaged lawn is through reseeding areas that need it the most and controlling grubs with microscopic creatures that destroy them. Larvae are fat white grubs with brown heads. If at all possible you want to prevent a white grub infestation in the first place. Adult insects are metallic blue green and bronze 1 2 inch beetles.

Beetles skeletonize leaves and chew flowers. The larvae of all these beetles are c shaped but they vary in size depending on the species and instar or larval age. A classic lawn grub or white grub is a whitish c shaped larva of a beetle such as june beetles that are about inch in length. Grub is a general name given to the larval stage which lives in soil and feeds on the roots of grass.

The beetles typically lay their eggs during mid summer in sunny areas of the lawn. Natural ways to get rid of lawn grubs. They have already begun to root and are sprouting new green growth. However infestations on green roofs do occur.

How to get rid of japanese beetle adults. Fertilize mulch and keep your turf at least two inches high beetles prefer laying their eggs in grass cut short. More than 10 grubs. After treating the roof cuttings of the sedum were scattered over the damaged areas.

This is slightly concerning but you ll only need to treat your lawn if your grass is unhealthy. It is also important to aerate soil. Ideally this pest should be treated during the grub phase instead of the beetle phase. Between five and 10 grubs.

Water sparingly but soak the ground when you do as this encourages grass to grow stronger deeper roots. Give us a call today at 888 581 5296 for a free lawn care estimate. You can pursue two organic options for getting rid of lawn grubs before turning to chemicals. Grub infestations can be prevented when you keep your lawn healthy.

As an interesting side note the grubs and birds did not disturb sedum kamtschaticum.