Why Grubs Survive the Winter and Affect Lawns Later

By late fall, most homeowners in upstate New York are wrapping up their final mow and preparing their lawn for winter. But while your grass goes dormant, one common pest is preparing to wait out the cold… grubs.

These small beetle larvae may not be active on the surface this time of year, but they’re still alive underground, ready to start feeding again once the soil warms in spring.

Knowing how grubs survive winter and what steps to take now can help you avoid patchy, damaged turf when the snow melts.

Do Lawn Grubs Survive the Winter?

Yes. Lawn grubs survive winter by digging deeper into the soil where temperatures stay above freezing. Most burrow 4 to 6 inches below the surface once the top layer cools below 50 degrees. In this layer, they enter a semi-dormant state. They don’t die off, they simply stop feeding and conserve energy until warmer weather returns.

When soil temperatures rise again in early spring, grubs move back toward the surface and begin eating grass roots. That feeding period often goes unnoticed until the grass fails to green up, leaving large brown or thin patches across the yard.

At What Temperature Do Grubs Stop Feeding?

Grubs typically stop feeding once soil temperatures drop below 50 degrees. As the weather cools in late October and November, their activity slows and eventually pauses entirely for winter. However, they’re not gone – they’re simply inactive until conditions improve.

Since grubs spend the winter safely underground, fall is your last chance to act before they settle in. Treatments applied too late may not reach them, which is why early fall is ideal for control. By late November, your best approach is planning ahead for preventive applications in spring before they start feeding again.

How Long Do Grubs Live in Your Lawn?

Most grub species in New York have a one-year life cycle, but a few can survive longer depending on soil temperature and moisture. Here’s a typical timeline:

• Late Fall and Winter: Grubs move deeper underground to avoid freezing.
• Spring: They rise toward the surface and feed on grass roots as the soil warms.
• Summer: They transform into beetles (often Japanese beetles or June beetles).
• Late Summer: Adult beetles lay new eggs in your lawn.
• Early Fall: Those eggs hatch, and the new grubs begin feeding until temperatures drop again.

Without professional intervention, this cycle repeats every year, each generation causing more root loss and visible damage over time.

Will Grass Damaged by Grubs Come Back?

That depends on how severe the root damage is. Grass with minor damage may recover naturally in spring with proper watering and fertilization once grubs are gone. But if roots are destroyed in large areas, the turf won’t regrow on its own.

You can test for damage by pulling up a section of turf. If it lifts easily like a carpet, the roots are gone. In those cases, reseeding or sodding will be needed after treatment. If you’re unsure how to restore your lawn, Groundhogs Lawn Care can inspect your turf and build a recovery plan that fits your property’s condition and timing.

Why You Should Think Ahead

Even though grub activity has stopped for the season, now is the right time to plan next year’s prevention. Once the ground freezes, treatments are ineffective – but scheduling early spring service ensures grubs are stopped before they feed again.

Homeowners can also take a few steps through winter to support recovery and prevention:

1. Leave your grass a little taller for its final mow. This protects the roots and insulates the soil where grubs overwinter.
2. Avoid excessive soil compaction. Heavy foot traffic or snow piles can make spring recovery harder.
3. Schedule preventive grub control early. Treatments applied in late spring target new larvae before they cause root damage.

Groundhogs Lawn Care provides seasonal lawn fertilization and pest control services throughout the Capital Region, helping homeowners prepare now so they’re not dealing with patchy turf later.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve seen beetles in summer or noticed animals digging up your yard this fall, chances are grubs are present. A technician can confirm their activity and recommend a prevention plan before next year’s hatch. Addressing the problem early saves money, prevents frustration, and protects the health of your lawn long-term.

Get Ahead of Next Spring’s Grub Damage

Call (518) 407-3806 or visit GoGroundhogs.com to schedule a winter inspection or plan early grub control for your lawn.