White Grub Damage in Bermuda Grass: Spot It Early, Save Your Lawn

If your Bermuda lawn is suddenly looking weak, patchy, or—worst of all—peels up like sod at the garden center, you might be dealing with more than just summer stress. White grubs are the underground menace of Oklahoma lawns, and July is when they do their worst.

Here’s how to identify white grub damage in Bermuda grass before it spreads—and what to do if you find it.

What Are White Grubs (And Why Should You Care?)

White grubs are the larvae of beetles like the June bug (Phyllophaga spp.) and masked chafer (Cyclocephala spp.). They live in the soil and feast on your turf's roots—cutting off its access to water and nutrients. By the time the damage is visible up top, the root zone may already be decimated.

• Grubs are most active July through September in Northeast Oklahoma

• They feed on Bermudagrass roots, causing severe turf decline

• Adult beetles lay eggs in June, which hatch into grubs by early July

Grubs don’t just stress your lawn—they kill it from the bottom up【91†source】.

How to Spot Grub Damage in Bermuda Grass

You may notice:

• Brown or wilted patches that don't bounce back after watering

• Turf that lifts easily with no root resistance

• Increased animal activity (armadillos, skunks, raccoons digging at night)

Want to be sure?

1. Cut a 1-foot square section of turf.

2. Roll it back and inspect the soil underneath.

3. Count the grubs—those fat, white, C-shaped larvae with orange heads.

👉 More than 5–10 grubs per square foot means treatment is needed.

Grub Damage vs. Heat Stress: Know the Difference

	Grub Damage	Heat Stress
Turf Appearance	Brown, wilting patches	Blue-gray tint, slow fade
Turf Lifting	Lifts like loose carpet	Rooted but weak
Cause	Root destruction from grubs	Lack of water or poor mowing
Recovery	Needs grub treatment	Improves with irrigation

Sometimes, both issues occur together—grubs often attack already stressed turf.

What to Do If You Find Grubs

1. Confirm They're Present

Lift a few patches of turf and count the grubs. If the numbers are high, move to Step 2.

2. Treat with a Curative Product

Look for a grub control product labeled for white grub larvae:

• Active ingredients: imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole

• Apply according to the label

• Water in immediately with at least 0.5" of irrigation

3. Encourage Recovery

Your lawn may need:

• A light potassium or iron boost (skip nitrogen during peak heat)

• Deep, infrequent watering

• Core aeration and fall overseeding if damage is extensive

Need Professional Help?

We offer professional scouting and treatment for grub infestations in Bermuda and other warm-season lawns. If you’re not sure what’s tearing up your turf—we’ll find out.

👉 Submit a New Work Request for an on-site evaluation.

Let the neighbors worry about their weeds. You’ve got this. 🌱

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Newell Services, LLC | Make My Lawn Great!

Licensed, Local, and Lawn-Obsessed in Northeast Oklahoma.