Are all bugs in my lawn bad?

Not at all, as many insects are beneficial. Only treat if you see specific damage to the grass blades or roots.

How do I know if I have grubs?

The easiest way is to lift a square foot of turf. If you find several white, C shaped grubs underneath, they are likely the cause of your thinning lawn.

What is eating my Kentucky bluegrass? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Pull up a small section of brown grass to see if it detaches easily.
Look for small white larvae in the top 2 inches of soil.
Watch for moths flying low over the grass at sunset.

Likely causes

White grubs
Possible
How to tell: Patches of grass turn brown and can be pulled up like a piece of carpet. You will find C shaped white larvae in the soil beneath the dead turf.
What to do: Apply a curative insecticide if you find more than 5 to 10 grubs per square foot. Water the area well after application to help the treatment reach the root zone.
Sod webworms
Possible
How to tell: Small brown patches appear and you might see silk tunnels near the soil surface. You may also notice small moths flying over the lawn at dusk.
What to do: Use a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis or a targeted insecticide. Apply the treatment in the late afternoon when the larvae are most active.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kentucky bluegrass

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Small amounts of insect activity are normal in any lawn. Worry when you see large, expanding patches of dead grass that do not recover with water.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your lawn healthy with proper fertilization and mowing to help it withstand minor pest pressure.

Kentucky bluegrass: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kentucky bluegrass and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Are all bugs in my lawn bad?: Not at all, as many insects are beneficial. Only treat if you see specific damage to the grass blades or roots.
How do I know if I have grubs?: The easiest way is to lift a square foot of turf. If you find several white, C shaped grubs underneath, they are likely the cause of your thinning lawn.

What is eating my Kentucky bluegrass?