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What Do Brown Spots in Your Yard Mean?

How to Spot Grubs in Your Yard Before It’s Too Late?

Whether you’re trying to honor your rental agreement, appease the homeowners’ association, or simply want your yard to look nice, lawn care is often something you’ll have to learn about eventually. And while most people are familiar with the basics of mowing, raking, and perhaps even weeding when necessary, there’s a lot more to it. You might not think it unusual to find all sorts of critters crawling around your yard. After all, outdoors is generally where such critters can be found. However, lawn pests exist, and they can be a real nightmare to deal with if left unchecked.

Symptoms of Lawn Pests

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The health of your yard may fluctuate a little throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and local climate. Heavy rains can help it grow thick and green, while dry spells will inevitably leave you with dried up brown instead. But if you start noticing unusual patches of dead grass, that might be a sign that some invading grubs have moved in. If you suspect that you might have lawn pests, you can take the time to examine the blades of grass in your yard at random intervals. If you spot bite marks on the blades, then you probably have a pest problem. Those of you that are particularly observant may even be able to spot the pests themselves in the top layer of the soil.

The Danger of Grubs

While several different types of creatures could be causing the issue, grubs, also known as beetle larvae, are among the worst of offenders. In the springtime, these creatures like to feast on grass roots, which the grass depends on to get the nutrients it needs to survive. When you have a grub problem, you’ll notice the patches of dead grass. However, upon further inspection, you should be able to easily lift the grub-damaged turf, revealing the hole filled with destructive, hungry grubs. Unfortunately, the negative impacts of grubs in your yard don’t stop there. When these pests are present, they tend to lure in predators looking for snacks. You might start to notice birds pecking at the ground more often, but they’re not the only creatures interested in grubs. Raccoons and moles both have grubs in their diet, and their presence in your yard could eventually lead to all sorts of other vermin-related issues, including structural damage to your home. Skunks are grub-eaters as well, and it’s no secret why they don’t exactly make the most desirable companions.

How to Keep Your Lawn Safe and Healthy

The key when it comes to grub management and lawn care is rapid intervention. The sooner you notice the problem, the sooner you can work on finding a solution and eradicating the pests before the issue escalates out of control. If you don’t spend much time in the yard, you must work on familiarizing yourself with its usual appearance; it will make it much easier to notice when parts of the yard start to become discolored. Keep an eye out for any wilting grass and small brown spots. Becoming aware of the issue in the early stages will go a long way toward addressing your pest problem before it spreads.

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