History and Telltale Signs Help Homeowners Identify and Properly Combat Grub Problems in Their Lawns Not every lawn problem during grub season is a grub problem MARYSVILLE, Ohio, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This is the time of year when homeowners turn their thoughts towards summer and all the wonderful activities that the great outdoors has to offer - playing catch with your children, barbequing with friends, or just walking barefoot in the grass. However, for some homeowners, these pleasures may not be quite as enjoyable depending on the condition of their lawn. If your lawn had bare patches, yellow spots or did not have the same firmness underfoot last fall or perhaps you noticed these problems this spring, you may have had a grub problem. Grubs, which are the larvae of certain beetles, dwell underground feasting on grass roots. When a lawn has too many grubs, it may have too few roots to supply the water and nutrients necessary to sustain healthy lawns. And healthy lawns naturally filter storm water and other pollutants, absorbing runoff and protecting ground water and important waterways. However, not every lawn problem during grub season is a grub problem. Homeowners need to identify if their lawns truly need to be treated to prevent grub damage in the fall. Prior history of grub damage is often a good indicator that damage will occur again. Talk to your neighbors to determine if grubs have been a problem in the past. Watch for beetle activity as a possible indicator that your lawn may be a target. Some beetles, such as Japanese beetles and Oriental beetles are active during the day and feed on ornamental plants. Others, such as European and masked chafers, are active at night, do not cause any feeding damage, but may be attracted to outdoor lights. During the latter part of summer, grubs may be present in the lawn but they will be very small. If observed before mid August a preventive grub control product such as GrubEx can still be used. Checking for grubs is simple. To determine the scope of a grub problem, homeowners should dig out a square foot of grass and turn it over to examine the roots for the number of grubs. It is normal for lawns to have some grubs present. Four to six grubs per square foot of turf will not cause damage to a healthy yard. When a lawn has more than six grubs per square foot, the health of the lawn may be in jeopardy. Animals such as skunks, raccoons, birds and moles will often dig up the turf to feed on the grubs. If you observed this type of damage last fall then consider treating your lawn. Timing is also critical when controlling grubs. The best time to target grubs is just before they hatch. Homeowners can protect their lawns from grubs by attacking them where they do the most damage - at the root layer. The best time to use grub control products is generally June or July, when the grubs are the most active and most vulnerable. Using products to eliminate grubs at the wrong time actually may have no impact on grubs. "Controlling grubs is an easy process, and can be done in a way that is safe for the environment," said Chris Schmenk, Director of Environmental Stewardship at The Scotts Company. "A product like GrubEx requires only one application per season when timed and applied correctly. Proper use of any lawn and garden product is essential, not only in achieving the desired results, but in maintaining a healthy environment. By following label directions, homeowners can help our waterways remain clean." Scotts offers these simple tips for practicing responsible environmental stewardship and growing healthy lawns: * When applying a grub control product, or lawn fertilizer, consider using a drop spreader or the Scotts Edge Guard rotary spreader to help keep from dispersing product onto hard surfaces. * Mowing your lawn before applying grub control products will help the granules reach the soil faster. * For best results regarding grub control, water the lawn the day before application of the product if the lawn is very dry. This moistens the soil and thatch layer, making it easier for the product to reach the roots. After applying the product on the following day, water your lawn a second time to ensure that the product reaches the root layer where grubs attack. * After applying any grub control products, use a broom or leaf blower to remove product from hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and patios and back onto your lawn. If homeowners have any questions or concerns regarding the best way to identify or control a grub problem, they can receive information seven days a week by calling the Scotts consumer hotline at 1-888-270-3714 or going to http://www.scotts.com/ and typing in "grubs" into the search engine. Dedicated to a Beautiful World The Scotts Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with a full range of products for professional horticulture as well. The Company owns the industry's most recognized brands. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, Scotts' brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R). DATASOURCE: The Scotts Company CONTACT: Jim King of The Scotts Company, +1-937-578-5622, or Web site: http://www.scotts.com/

Copyright