Spring brings more than just rain and bluebonnets in Texas. It also brings May Beetles/June Bugs.

In the spring, adult June Bugs begin to surface. While the males are more attracted to the light, the females will begin digging 2-5 inches into the soil of your lawn to lay up to 100 eggs. Keeping outside lights to a minimum at night will help keep the male June Bugs from invading your home.

After the female June Bug lays her eggs, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the larvae to hatch. The larvae are also known as grub worms. Grub worms have 3 stages before emerging from the soil. Stage one and two last around 3 weeks. During the third stage the grub worm stays within the soil from fall to spring before beginning to surface from 3-6 inches deep in the soil in spring to early summer.

Though June Bugs are not dangerous to humans or pets and are enjoyed by snakes, birds and toads, the grub worms are dangerous to your lawn. Particularly found in Bermuda and St. Augustine grass, in large amounts grub worms can damage your lawn by turning it yellow and cause grass to weaken. Grub worms will eat the roots of the grass under the soil, while the adults eat on plants above ground.

  1. Keeping your grass 3-3.5 inches tall can also help due to the females preferring to lay eggs in shorter grass.
  2. Treat two times a year with an EPA approved insecticide designed specifically for plant eating insects. This is best done by a professional as the insecticide cost is usually as much as a treatment and you won’t have to handle the chemicals.

If untreated, June Bugs/grub worms can destroy your lawn by eating the roots causing your lawn to be more vulnerable to other bugs and diseases making it harder to recover or possibly die.

Seeking help from a qualified pest control lawn specialist can help eliminate the damage these insects can cause. Call us, we would love to help! Safe earth Pest Control 214-225-6804