Grubs are tiny white bugs that eat grass roots. They live under your lawn and do damage before you can see anything wrong. When spring weather is warmer than normal, beetles come out early. That gives you less time to stop them. Finding grubs early is the best way to save your lawn.
This guide will show you the signs of grubs, how to check your lawn, when to treat, and when to call for help. If you live in Willoughby, Walnut Grove, or Murrayville, this guide is for you.
Is your lawn showing signs of damage? Get a free grub assessment from Splendid Landscaping Services today.
What Are Grubs and Why Do They Damage Lawns?
The Bug Behind the Damage
Grubs are baby beetles. They hatch in the soil and eat the roots of your grass. Roots hold your lawn in place and bring it water and food. When grubs eat the roots, the grass goes yellow, gets weak, and dies in patches.
Grubs eat a lot from late summer through fall. Then they go deep in the soil for winter. In spring, they come back up and eat again before turning into beetles. This means your lawn can show damage twice a year — once in fall and again in spring — if the grubs are not dealt with. ¹
Types of Grubs Found in BC Lawns
- European Chafer Grubs: This is the most common grub in Langley and the Fraser Valley. It first showed up in BC in 2001 and has since spread to Langley and nearby areas. It has a one-year life cycle. This is the grub most likely causing problems in your yard. ²
- Japanese Beetle Grubs: This is a controlled pest found in parts of Metro Vancouver. Authorities have worked hard to stop its spread, and no beetles were found in Vancouver in 2024. If you see one, call the CFIA right away. Do not move soil from areas where this beetle has been found. ³
- June Beetle Grubs: This is a local BC beetle. It takes three years to grow into an adult. That makes outbreaks less common, but they can last longer. June beetle grubs rarely cause big problems in city yards, but you may find them near wooded areas. ⁴
10 Signs Your Lawn Has a Grub Problem in 2026
What to Look For Above Ground
Grubs do their damage underground. But there are signs you can spot on the surface. Here are the 10 most common ones.
- Brown Patches: Dead grass shows up in uneven shapes. The patches grow fast if you do not act.
- Spongy Lawn: The grass feels soft or bouncy when you walk on it. That means roots are gone.
- Grass Rolls Up: You can lift large chunks of turf with your hands. Grubs have eaten the roots that hold it down.
- Yellow or Thin Grass: Parts of your lawn look pale and sparse, even when you water regularly.
- Wilting Even After Watering: Your lawn still looks droopy after rain or watering. Damaged roots cannot pull water up.
- Bare Spots Keep Growing: Grubs do not stop eating on their own. The bare areas get bigger over time.
- Slow to Bounce Back: After a hot spell or dry period, lawns with grubs take much longer to recover.
- You Can See the Grubs: If you dig up a small patch of turf, you may find white, C-shaped grubs just under the surface.
- Animals Digging: Skunks, raccoons, and crows dig for grubs. If animals keep digging in the same spot, grubs are likely there.
- Still Dry After Rain: When fall rains come to the Fraser Valley but your grass still looks dry and stressed, grubs may be blocking the roots from getting water.
Why Animals Digging Is a Big Clue
Many Langley homeowners first notice skunks or crows ripping up the lawn at night. These animals are very good at finding grubs. They will keep coming back to the same spots as long as grubs are there. µ If animals are digging in the same area of your yard, there is a good chance grubs are active just below the surface.
How to Check Your Lawn for Grubs: Step-by-Step
What You Need
- A spade or small garden shovel
- A ruler or tape measure
- Gloves
- A bucket or tray for the soil
The 6-Step Test
- Pick a spot where the grass looks thin, yellow, or spongy.
- Cut a square of turf about 30 cm (12 inches) on each side.
- Slide your spade about 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) under the turf.
- Flip the turf over onto a flat surface.
- Count the grubs you find in the soil below.
- Do the same test in 2 to 3 other spots to make sure your count is right. ⁶
What Your Count Means
- 0 to 4 grubs per square foot: Low number. Watch your lawn closely, but you may not need to treat yet.
- 5 to 9 grubs per square foot: Moderate problem. Think about treating, especially if animals are also digging.
- 10 or more grubs per square foot: Serious problem. You should treat right away before more damage happens. ⁷
When Are Grubs Most Active?
The Grub Calendar for BC Lawns
Knowing when grubs are most active helps you act at the right time. Here is how the European chafer — the most common grub in the Fraser Valley — moves through the year: ²
- Spring (March to May): Grubs that spent winter deep in the soil come back up. They start eating roots again as the soil warms up. ¹
- Early Summer (June to July): Adult beetles come out, mate, and lay eggs in the soil. If you treat in June or July, you can stop the next batch of grubs before they hatch.
- Late Summer to Early Fall (August to October): New grubs hatch and feed hard. This is when they are small and close to the surface. It is the best time for treatment to work. ¹
- Winter (November to February): Grubs go 30 cm or more deep into the soil and go to sleep. Treatment will not work in winter. ⁸
When to Check Your Lawn
The best times to check are late summer (August to September) and spring (April to May). That is when grubs are close to the surface and feeding. In warm years, check a little earlier. If your yard has had grub problems before, check every August before damage shows up.
Grub Damage vs. Other Lawn Problems
How to Tell Them Apart
Grub damage can look like other lawn problems. Here is how to tell the difference:
- Dry weather damage: The whole lawn looks dry and yellows evenly, especially in sunny spots. It usually comes back green after you water it.
- Fungal disease: Shows up in round or ring-shaped patches. You may see spots or powder on the grass blades. The turf stays stuck to the ground.
- Low nutrients: The lawn turns yellow all over in a wide, even area. It does not feel spongy.
- Grub damage: Shows up in uneven patches. The turf feels spongy and peels up like a mat. Doing the dig test will show if grubs are there.
Not Sure? Get a Professional Look
If you are not sure what is wrong with your lawn, our team at Splendid Landscaping Services can help. We check lawns in Langley and nearby areas. We will tell you if grubs, poor drainage, soil problems, or something else is the cause.
How to Treat a Lawn with Grubs: Step by Step
Step 1 – Make Sure You Have Grubs
Do the dig test first. Only treat your lawn if you find 5 or more grubs per square foot. Using pest products when you do not need them can hurt good bugs in your soil.
Step 2 – Pick the Right Treatment
- Nematodes (natural bug control): Nematodes are tiny worms that go after grubs in the soil. They are safe for kids, pets, and the environment. The BC Government’s Home & Garden Pest Management Guide for British Columbia says that Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes are the best choice for European chafer in BC. Apply them in late July when the grubs are small. Water your lawn well before you apply them, and keep watering for two weeks after. ¹²
- Pesticides: Products with chlorantraniliprole or imidacloprid can stop grubs. Use them in June or July to prevent grubs before they hatch. If grubs are already there, you can use them in late summer, but timing matters. Always water right after you apply them. ¹
- Microbial larvicide (BTG): This is a natural product called Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae (BTG). It is registered in Canada for European chafer. Some garden centres sell it. It is safe for people, pets, and good bugs. Some types need to be applied by a licensed professional. ²
- Milky spore: This is a natural bacteria that only goes after Japanese beetle grubs. It builds up in the soil over time. Note: milky spore products are hard to find in Canada. Talk to a pest control professional before buying to make sure it is approved for use in BC.
Step 3 – Water After Treatment
After you treat your lawn, water it right away. This pushes the product down into the soil where the grubs are. Use at least 1.25 cm (0.5 inches) of water. ¹
Step 4 – Fix the Damaged Spots
After treatment, fix any bare or dead patches. You may need to put down new sod or reseed. Our lawn care services in Langley include sod repair and installation for lawns that have been damaged by grubs.
Step 5 – Stop Grubs from Coming Back
A healthy lawn is harder for grubs to damage. Cut your grass 7 to 10 cm tall — taller in summer to shade the soil. This makes it less inviting for beetles to lay eggs. Fertilize in fall and do not overwater in June or July. Wet soil helps beetle eggs survive. ¹°¹
What Happens If You Do Not Treat Grubs
The Long-Term Damage
Grubs do not go away on their own. European chafer beetles come back every year. Each time, they lay more eggs. Over a few years, the damage can get very bad. You may end up with:
- Large bare patches that cannot grow grass again because the soil is too damaged
- Weeds like dandelions and clover moving into the bare spots
- Skunks and raccoons digging up your lawn every year looking for grubs
- Big repair bills for re-sodding and fixing the soil
Why Acting Early Costs Less
Treating a small grub problem early costs much less than replacing your whole lawn later. If you catch it in June or July with a preventive treatment, or act fast when you first see the signs, you can avoid the big repair work that comes with a severe infestation.
When to Call a Professional
Signs That You Need Expert Help
- You find 10 or more grubs per square foot in several test spots, especially after you have already tried treating
- Large sections of your lawn have come loose from the soil
- You treated with nematodes or pesticide, but the damage keeps spreading
- Animals are still digging 2 to 3 weeks after treatment
- You are not sure which product to use or how to apply it safely under BC rules
Professional Help in Langley
Splendid Landscaping Services helps Langley homeowners with grub problems. We work in Willoughby, Walnut Grove, Brookswood, Fort Langley, and nearby areas. We find the type of grub, apply the right treatment at the right time, and fix your lawn so it grows back strong. See our full list of Langley landscaping services to learn more.
Questions People Ask About Lawn Grubs
How many grubs is too many?
If you find 5 or more grubs per square foot, it is time to think about treatment. At 10 or more, the problem is serious. Treat right away. ⁷
Can grubs come back after I treat my lawn?
Yes. Beetles fly back the next summer and lay new eggs. Treating in June or early July every year is the best way to keep European chafer grubs away long-term.
Are nematodes safe for my kids and pets?
Yes. Nematodes are safe for people, pets, birds, and earthworms. They only go after specific soil insects like grubs.
When is the best time to treat for grubs in BC?
Use preventive pesticides in June or July, before eggs hatch. Use nematodes in late July when grubs are small and near the surface. The BC Government says late July is the best time for nematode treatment. ¹²
Will grub damage grow back on its own?
Small damage may grow back if you water and fertilize well. But if the turf has pulled away from the soil, you will need to reseed or put down new sod after treatment.
Is a European chafer the same as a Japanese beetle?
No. They are two different beetles. The European chafer is the main grub problem in Langley and the Lower Mainland. The Japanese beetle is a separate pest that the government works hard to control. If you find a Japanese beetle, report it to the CFIA. Do not try to treat it yourself.
Get Help for Your Lawn in 2026
Grub damage spreads fast. If you have seen any of the signs in this guide, do not wait. Splendid Landscaping Services helps homeowners across Langley and the Fraser Valley deal with grubs. Call us to book a free visit and protect your lawn before the damage gets worse. Visit our Langley landscaping service page to learn more or get a quote online.
Ready to protect your lawn? Contact Splendid Landscaping Services for a free grub assessment. Serving Langley, Willoughby, Walnut Grove, Murrayville, and the Fraser Valley.
1. Michigan State University Extension. How to choose and when to apply grub control products for your lawn. D. Smitley, T. Davis, E. Hotchkiss. canr.msu.edu
2. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture. European Chafer: A Pest Increasing its Range in British Columbia. Pest Health Unit Bulletin, February 2026. gov.bc.ca
3. Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society. Invasive Chafer Beetles vs Japanese Beetles. fviss.ca
4. Health Canada. White grubs. Pest control tips. canada.ca
5. Purdue University Turfgrass Science. Spring Grub Control Not Your Best Bet. turf.purdue.edu
6. Penn State Extension. White Grubs in Home Lawns. extension.psu.edu
7. University of New Hampshire Extension. How do I treat for grubs in my lawn? extension.unh.edu
8. Township of Langley. European Chafer Beetle: An Invasive Species. tol.ca
9. City of Coquitlam. European Chafer Beetle. coquitlam.ca
10. University of Saskatchewan, Gardening at USask. June Beetle Grubs. gardening.usask.ca
11. University of Maryland Extension. White Grub Management on Lawns. extension.umd.edu
12. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Agriculture. Home & Garden Pest Management Guide for British Columbia, Chapter 17: Pests of Lawns. 2019 Edition. gov.bc.ca (PDF)
