Pest Control for Lawns: How to Stop Grubs and Other Spring Invaders

Spring brings new life to your lawn — but it also invites unwanted pests that can undo months of hard work in just a few weeks. From grubs munching on grassroots to chinch bugs and sod webworms causing brown patches, spring is the most important time to act before infestations take hold.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to identify common spring lawn pests in Ontario, understand the damage they cause, and protect your lawn with effective, eco-conscious solutions.

Why Spring Pest Control Matters

As temperatures rise and your lawn exits dormancy, pests become active beneath the soil and on the surface. If left untreated, they can:

❌ Kill your lawn from the roots up
❌ Attract skunks and raccoons digging for food
❌ Spread quickly through neighbourhood properties
❌ Ruin the effects of aeration, fertilizing, and mowing

✅ Early detection and treatment = fewer problems and healthier grass all season long.

Common Spring Lawn Pests in Ontario

Pest	Signs of Damage	Peak Activity
Grubs	Brown patches, grass lifts like carpet, skunk digging	April–June, Aug–Sept
Chinch Bugs	Yellow/brown patches in sunny areas, fast-spreading damage	May–August
Sod Webworms	Chewed grass blades, small brown moths flying from turf	Late spring–summer
Leatherjackets	Thin turf, birds pecking lawn, brown patches	April–June

Spotting Grub Damage Early

Grubs are the most destructive spring pest for Ontario lawns. These white, C-shaped larvae of beetles live under the soil and chew on grass roots, causing extensive dead patches and soft, liftable turf.

How to Check for Grubs:

1. Cut a square of turf (1 ft x 1 ft) in affected area
2. Peel it back and count the grubs
3. More than 5–10 grubs per square foot = time to treat

How to Treat Lawn Pests (Safely)

✅ Option 1: Nematodes (Organic Solution)

Microscopic worms that hunt and kill pests like grubs and leatherjackets without harming pets, people, or pollinators.

• Apply in early spring or fall
• Water deeply after application
• Keep soil moist for 1–2 weeks

✅ Option 2: Pest-Specific Insecticides

For heavy infestations, professional-grade lawn insecticides may be required for effective control. These should be:

• Applied by trained professionals
• Timed properly based on pest lifecycle
• Combined with lawn recovery treatments

Prevention is Better Than Repair

Once damage is visible, it’s already too late for some control methods. Preventative care is the key to long-term protection:

🟢 Aerate and dethatch to reduce pest habitat
🟢 Fertilize properly to build strong root systems
🟢 Avoid overwatering which creates soggy, pest-friendly soil
🟢 Keep your lawn dense — thicker lawns crowd out pests naturally
🟢 Get annual lawn inspections by professionals

Our Pest Control Services Include:

✔️ Lawn inspections & grub detection
✔️ Nematode application (eco-friendly)
✔️ Licensed chemical treatments (when needed)
✔️ Seasonal pest prevention programs
✔️ Lawn recovery: overseeding, fertilizing, topdressing

Serving Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton & surrounding areas.

👉 Book a Lawn Pest Assessment Today

Don’t let spring pests destroy your lawn — stop them before they start. 🐛🌱