Service
Grub Control in Bismarck
Trugreen Weed Control of Bismarck · Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, Washburn, Wilton, New Salem, Center
Grub Control: White grubs are beetle larvae that feed on grass roots. In Bismarck the damage shows in August and September as brown patches that lift like carpet. We treat the soil where they live, timed to their life cycle.
The grubs in Bismarck lawns are mostly the larvae of June beetles, with other scarab species mixed in. Adults fly and lay eggs in early summer, the eggs hatch into small grubs that feed on roots through late summer, and the larvae overwinter deep in the soil to feed again in spring. Some of our native June beetles run a multi-year cycle, which is why a bad grub year can echo into the next.
Root feeding is what does the damage. By August a heavily infested lawn has no roots holding the turf down, so it browns in irregular patches, feels spongy, and peels back by hand. Skunks, raccoons and birds tearing up the lawn at night are often the first clear sign, because they are digging for the grubs.
There are two ways to treat. Preventive products go down in June before the eggs hatch and stop the new generation; they are the most reliable option on lawns with a history of damage. Curative products are for grubs already feeding, applied in August or early September when the larvae are small and near the surface. Both need watering-in to reach the root zone.
Grub damage and drought stress look alike from the sidewalk. We pull back the turf and count before we treat, so you are not paying for grub control on a lawn that just needs water.
What's included
- Turf pull-back inspection and grub count
- Preventive grub control in early summer
- Curative treatment for active infestations
- Watering-in guidance so the product reaches the roots
- Repair plan for damaged areas (seeding or sod)
- Follow-up check to confirm the grubs are gone
How the visit goes
- Inspect: lift turf in suspect areas and count grubs per square foot
- Decide preventive or curative based on timing and count
- Apply to the affected and at-risk areas, water-in instructions left at the door
- Repair dead patches once feeding has stopped
- Return to verify and plan prevention for next season
When: Preventive control in June to early July before eggs hatch; curative treatment in August to early September while larvae are small and feeding near the surface.
The Bismarck calendar
- JuneAdult beetles fly and lay eggs; preventive control goes down on lawns with a history of damage.
- JulyEggs hatch; new grubs begin feeding on roots.
- AugustDamage appears as brown, spongy patches; curative treatment window.
- SeptemberLast effective curative window; repairs and overseeding of dead areas.
- OctoberGrubs move deep to overwinter; too late to treat, time to plan prevention.
What moves the price
- Lawn size and how many areas are affected
- Preventive versus curative treatment
- Severity of existing root damage
- Soil type and moisture at your property
- Whether repair or seeding is also needed
Signs you need it
- Turf lifts up easily like loose carpet
- Brown patches that spread in late summer
- Skunks, birds or raccoons digging the lawn
- Spongy feel when you walk the grass
- White C-shaped larvae in the top inch of soil
Questions about this service
How do I know it is grubs and not drought?
Pull up a square of turf at the edge of a brown patch. If it lifts with no resistance and you see white, C-shaped larvae in the soil, it is grubs. Drought-stressed grass stays rooted and greens up after watering. We check this before recommending treatment.
How many grubs is too many?
A healthy lawn tolerates a few. Damage usually starts somewhere around five to ten grubs per square foot, lower on a stressed or thin lawn. The count, the time of year and the lawn's condition decide whether we treat.
Should I treat every year?
Not necessarily. Lawns with a history of damage, or in neighborhoods where it is common, benefit from preventive control each June. Lawns that have never had a problem can be inspected instead and treated only if a count justifies it.
Will the dead patches grow back on their own?
Light damage recovers once feeding stops and the lawn is fed and watered. Patches where the roots are gone need overseeding or sod, and September is the best month to do it in Bismarck.
Does grub control also handle the animals digging my lawn?
Once the grubs are gone the animals stop coming. Expect a week or two of digging after a curative treatment while the grubs die off, then it tapers.
How much does grub control cost in Bismarck?
Grub control cost depends on your lawn size, how many areas are affected, and whether you need preventive or curative treatment. We quote after inspecting the lawn, and there's no contract. Call TruGreen Bismarck at (701) 751-4442 and we'll check your soil and explain the options.
Is grub control safe for my pets in Bismarck?
Yes, our grub control is applied with your pets in mind, and we'll tell you how long to keep them off the treated lawn. Watering the product in and following the wait time keeps them safe. Your technician explains it on site. Call (701) 751-4442.
How soon will I see results after grub control in Bismarck?
Curative grub control stops the feeding within days to a couple of weeks as it reaches the active larvae. The existing dead turf won't recover on its own, so we may recommend aeration and seeding to repair it. We'll walk you through both. Call (701) 751-4442.
What's the best product for grub control?
The best grub control depends on timing: preventive products stop young grubs early in the season, while curative products treat active, feeding larvae in mid to late summer. Matching the product to the grub's stage is what makes it work. Our Grub Control service in Bismarck times the treatment to the life cycle so it reaches the grubs. Call (701) 751-4442.
What is the best product to get rid of lawn grubs?
The best grub product depends on the season: a preventive treatment stops grubs early, while a curative treatment kills active larvae feeding in mid to late summer. Using the wrong one at the wrong time wastes it. Our Grub Control service in Bismarck times treatment to the grubs' stage and waters it in correctly. Call (701) 751-4442.
Does Dawn dish soap kill grubs?
Dawn dish soap is not an effective or reliable grub killer for a lawn. It won't reach grubs feeding on roots below the surface and can stress the grass. For grubs in a Bismarck lawn, a soil-targeted grub control treatment timed to the life cycle is what works. Our team can inspect and treat. Call (701) 751-4442.
What month should you put down grub control?
In Bismarck, preventive grub control goes down in late spring to early summer, while curative treatment works best mid to late summer when larvae are feeding near the surface. The right month depends on whether you're preventing or treating active grubs. Our Grub Control service times it to your lawn. Call (701) 751-4442.
When's the best time to put grub killer down on your lawn?
The best time in Bismarck is late spring to early summer for prevention and mid to late summer for killing active grubs. Curative products need to reach larvae while they're feeding near the surface, so timing is everything. Our team checks for grubs and applies at the right window. Call (701) 751-4442.
Last updated October 2026 · Trugreen Weed Control of Bismarck
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