Grub Damage Recovery in Rochester, NY: Spring Reseeding Strategy

Rochester, NY homeowner used Turf Line 4-step program. Fall grubs killed patches; animals still tearing up lawn in cold weather. Wants spring plan: reseed then grub killer, or vice versa?

Critical insight: Grub control timing depends on *species* and *life stage*. Grubs move vertically in soil—treat when they're near surface (usually late summer/early fall). Spring grubs are often large, deep, and harder to kill.

Spring plan:

1. Now (winter): Nothing effective. Grubs are deep.
2. Early spring: Reseed damaged areas with Kentucky bluegrass blend (slow but durable). Light starter fertilizer.
3. Late May/June: Apply preventative (imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole) for *next* generation.
4. If active grubs found in spring: Fast-acting curative (trichlorfon) *before* seeding, wait per label, then seed.

Grub ID matters: European chafer, Japanese beetle, Oriental beetle—each has different timing. County extension can ID from samples.

Don't guess. Wrong timing = wasted money + dead seed + live grubs.