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Grub Control in San Angelo, TX

Best Management Practices (BMP) for Grub Control in San Angelo, TX
May Edition: The Grubs Are Lurking, But Should We Be Worried?

Xylotrupes australicus (Rhinoceros Beetle) Grub Kit - Blue Beetle Australia

First, What Is a Grub?

Grubs are not a specific insect, they're the larval stage of several beetles. Think of them as the awkward teenage phase of the beetle world. Common culprits in our West Texas turf include:

  • June Beetles (aka May beetles, calendar confusion aside, they’re active spring to summer)

  • Masked Chafers

  • Occasional Japanese Beetles (less common here, but worth watching)

Life Cycle Breakdown

  1. Adults emerge (late spring/early summer) and lay eggs in the soil.

  2. Eggs hatch into C-shaped, white-bodied grubs that feed on grassroots.

  3. Feeding frenzy continues through fall, then they burrow down to overwinter.

  4. Spring warm-up brings them back up briefly before pupating and turning into beetles.

In short: they hide, they chew, they cost you money.

How Many Grubs Is Too Many?

The economic threshold is:

  • 0–5 grubs/sq ft: No sweat.

  • 6–9 grubs/sq ft: Keep an eye out.

  • 10+ grubs/sq ft: Time to suit up and fight back.

That’s the point when you’ll notice patches of turf rolling back like a rug, thanks to root damage.

Control Options, Chemical Edition

Two main players are effective when applied at the right time:

  • Imidacloprid (Merit® and similar): Best as a preventative, applied in May–June. Gets absorbed by roots and zaps grubs when they snack.

  • Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®): Low-risk for pollinators, long-lasting, and works great in May.

Modes of Action

  • Imidacloprid: Blocks neural pathways. Grubs stop feeding and check out permanently.

  • Chlorantraniliprole: Affects calcium flow in muscles. Basically paralyzes them slowly and permanently.

Grub Pressure in San Angelo A History Lesson

Grub issues spike after wet springs, especially following drought years when beetles get active. However, recent seasons have shown low activity in San Angelo. Low rainfall and hot soil temps may be keeping beetle populations in check. Still, better to scout than be sorry.

BMP Takeaways

  • Scout now (first week of May) and again mid-summer.

  • Treat preventatively if you had past damage or high beetle activity.

  • Don’t overtreat grubs aren’t always the bad guys.

    Got Grubs? | The Andersons Professional Turf & Ornamental

Need help picking the right product or identifying grub species?
Come see us at:

BES-TEX Supply
4512 Adobe Dr., San Angelo, TX 76903
325.653.1300
www.BES-TEX.com

Your turf deserves better than a mouthful of beetle babies.