How to Check Your Lawn for European Chafer Grubs
- Brittany Challes
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
After learning about European Chafer grubs and the damage they can cause, many homeowners ask how they can tell if their lawn is already affected. The good news is that there are a few simple checks you can do to see if grubs may be present beneath your turf.
Catching the problem early can help prevent further damage and make treatment more effective.
The “Lift Test”
One of the easiest ways to check for grub damage is to lift a section of your lawn.
Healthy grass should be firmly rooted in the soil. If your lawn has grub damage, the turf may lift easily, almost like a loose piece of carpet. This happens because the grubs have been feeding on the roots of the grass beneath the surface.
What to look for:
Turf lifting easily
Little to no root system attached
Soft or loose soil underneath
Check Beneath the Turf
If you suspect grub damage, gently pull back a small section of grass and look at the soil underneath.
European Chafer grubs are typically:
White or cream colored
C-shaped
About 2–3 cm long
If several grubs are present in a small section of soil, they are contributing to the damage in your lawn.
Watch for Animal Activity
Sometimes the first sign of grub activity is actually wildlife digging in your lawn.
Animals such as:
Skunks
Raccoons
Birds
often dig into turf to feed on the grubs beneath the surface.
If you notice small holes or patches of disturbed turf, it may be a sign that grubs are present. Birds and animals are often attracted to lawns where grubs are present because they provide an easy food source beneath the turf.
Why Early Detection Matters
Grubs feed on grass roots beneath the soil surface, which weakens the lawn over time.
By the time damage appears in spring, the root system is already be compromised from feeding that occurred in the previous fall. Early detection can help reduce the impact of European Chafer lawn damage and allow homeowners to plan treatment and repair.
Checking your lawn early helps identify the issue and gives homeowners time to plan treatments before the next generation of grubs hatch.
Need Help Identifying Grub Damage?
If you're unsure whether your lawn is affected by European Chafer grubs, Riverview Lawn & Garden can help. Our team can inspect your lawn, identify signs of grub activity, and recommend preventative treatments to help protect your lawn through the growing season.
Coming Next Week
Next week we’ll explain how preventative treatments help protect your lawn from the next generation of European Chafer grubs and why timing is important for effective control.
Follow Riverview Lawn & Garden to learn more about protecting your lawn this season.
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