A lawn grub is the soft, curled larva of a beetle or moth that feeds on grass roots or leaves, leaving brown patches that lift like loose carpet. The quickest check is to cut and peel back a patch of turf, then treat only what you find, using a registered retail product exactly as the label directs.
This guide suits Sydney homeowners with dying patches, chewed leaves or unwanted garden pests. It covers lawn pests and moths, curl grubs and army grubs, citrus and plant insects, millipedes, slugs, and when to call a licensed technician.
Key points
- A lawn grub problem shows as brown, spongy patches that peel up easily; pull back the turf to find the larvae before you spray anything.
- Match the product to the pest: a lawn insecticide for curl grubs will not fix mealybugs on citrus or slugs in the veggie patch.
- Use registered retail products only as the label directs, keep children and pets off treated lawn until dry, and store chemicals locked away.
- For widespread lawn damage or pests inside the house, book a licensed technician; a Sydney general pest visit typically costs about $310.
What is a lawn grub?
Lawn grubs are the larvae of beetles and moths that live in or on turf. Curl grubs eat roots below ground, while army grubs and lawn caterpillars chew leaves at the surface.
Healthy turf can tolerate a few grubs, so the aim is to spot numbers climbing, not to remove every larva.
- Curl grubs: white, C-shaped larvae with brown heads that eat roots and make turf peel back like a carpet.
- Army grubs and lawn armyworm: dark caterpillars that chew blades at night and leave ragged, bare patches.
- Sod webworm and lawn moths: small moths that flutter up when you walk across the lawn at dusk.
- Peak damage: patches often appear in late summer and autumn, when larvae are large and the lawn is stressed.
- Quick test: tug the turf; if it lifts easily with no roots, grubs have been feeding underneath.
- Licensing: in NSW, anyone applying pesticides for fee or reward must hold a pest management technician licence.
Types of lawn grub and lawn bugs in Australia
| Pest | What it looks like | Damage | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curl grub | White C-shaped larva with a brown head | Root feeding; turf lifts easily | Peel back a patch and count larvae |
| Army grub (lawn armyworm) | Green to brown striped caterpillar | Chewed blades; bare patches overnight | Check at dusk with a torch |
| Lawn moth (sod webworm) | Small buff moth, flutters when disturbed | Larvae chew leaf bases and make silk tubes | Look for webbing at the soil surface |
| African black beetle | Shiny black beetle and a cream grub | Roots and stems eaten, yellowing turf | See our African black beetle guide |
| Earwig | Brown insect with rear pincers | Chews seedlings and soft leaves | See our earwig guide |
| Millipede | Round, many-legged and slow | Rarely damages grass, but invades homes | Dry out damp mulch near walls |
Curl grub treatment
Treat only after confirming larvae are present, and follow the product label for timing and watering. Dry spells and over-fertilising make damage worse.
Army grub control
Army grubs feed at night, so check at dusk. See caterpillar control for options that spare beneficial insects.
Lawn grub treatment cost in Sydney
| Item (Sydney, Oct 2026, incl. GST) | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| General pest treatment (house interior and exterior), per visit | $205–$520 | $310 |
| Retail lawn insecticide from Bunnings or a nursery | Varies (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Depends on lawn size |
| Lawn-specific professional treatment | Varies (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Quote on inspection |
- Lawn size: larger lawns need more product or more labour, so measure before you buy.
- Severity: widespread damage may need repeat treatment and re-turfing in worst patches.
- Warranty: many pest treatments carry a warranty period with free re-treatment, so compare that as well as price.
- Inclusions: ask whether the quote covers the garden beds and the house perimeter as well as the lawn.
- Licensing: ask to see the technician’s licence before any pesticide is applied.
- Care costs: watering, aeration and mowing changes are usually cheaper than repeated treatments.
Lawn grub moths and lawn moths: what to expect
Seeing moths rise from the lawn at dusk is a warning, because each female can lay eggs across a large area. In Sydney you often notice them near sprinklers and garden lights after warm days.
- Moths hover low: they flutter in short hops across the turf, then settle again within metres.
- Eggs follow in days: larvae hatch and begin feeding soon after, so inspect the lawn over the next fortnight.
- Turn off bright lights: outdoor lamps draw moths across the lawn, so use warm globes or timers.
- Water deeply, not often: stressed turf recovers faster and tolerates feeding better.
- Do not spray by sight alone: confirm larvae before treating, as moths alone do not prove damage.
- Keep records: note where patches appear each year to target checks next season.
Lawn insecticide: how to use it safely
- Read the label first: choose a registered retail product that lists your pest and turf type, and apply only as directed.
- Never mix products: combining insecticides, fertilisers or homemade mixes can damage turf and create hazards.
- Keep children and pets off the lawn: stay away until the label says it is dry and safe.
- Ventilate near the house: close windows during spraying and keep washing and toys off the lawn.
- Protect bees and waterways: avoid spraying flowering plants, drains and pond edges.
- Store chemicals locked away: keep products in original containers where children cannot reach them.
Pros and cons of treating a lawn grub problem yourself
Pros
- Low cost for small lawns.
- Quick start once larvae are confirmed.
- Products are available at Bunnings and nurseries.
- You can improve lawn care at the same time.
- Targeted treatment spares the rest of the garden.
- You learn the timing for next season.
Cons
- Misidentifying the pest wastes product.
- Over-application can harm bees, pets and waterways.
- Timing mistakes let larvae survive.
- Large lawns are expensive and time consuming to treat.
- You get no warranty if the damage returns.
- Soil problems such as compaction or drought may be the real cause.
How to choose a lawn grub treatment
- Peel back the turf: look for larvae in the top few centimetres of soil before buying a product.
- Identify the pest: curl grubs, army grubs and beetles need different products.
- Check the label: make sure it lists your pest, turf type and any watering needs.
- Consider pets and children: choose the lowest-risk option and plan re-entry times.
- Think about non-chemical options: deeper watering, aeration and mowing height help recovery.
- Know when to call a licensed technician: large or repeat infestations justify a professional visit.
Lawn grub control: step-by-step care
- Inspect at dusk: use a torch and look for caterpillars, then peel back turf for curl grubs.
- Mow at the right height: slightly taller grass copes better with feeding.
- Water deeply in the morning: this helps the lawn recover without keeping the surface damp overnight.
- Apply treatment only if needed: use a registered product exactly as the label directs.
- Re-check after the label interval: look for living larvae and new patches.
- Overseed bare patches: do this once grubs are gone and the soil is moist.
Mealybugs and sap-sucking plant insects
Mealybugs look like small cottony tufts on stems and leaf joints, and they leave sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mould. Our mealybugs guide covers identification and control in detail.
- Look for white fluff: tufts in leaf joints on citrus, hibiscus and indoor plants.
- Wipe small outbreaks: a soft cloth or soapy water removes light infestations.
- Check for ants: they farm mealybugs; see types of ants in Australia.
- Passion vine hoppers: they cluster on stems and leave a waxy white fluff, and can be hosed off.
- Watch for scale and aphids: sticky leaves usually mean a sap-sucking pest is present.
- Use label-approved products only: apply as directed, avoid flowers and remove heavily infested stems.
What is eating my citrus leaves?
| Sign | Likely cause | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Chewed leaf edges, green droppings | Caterpillars such as green loopers or citrus butterfly larvae | Hand pick or use a label-approved caterpillar control |
| Orange or green shield-shaped bugs on shoots | Bronze orange stink bug (orange bugs on citrus trees) | Read the bronze orange stink bug guide and protect skin and eyes |
| Curled, twisted young leaves | Leaf miner, aphids or leaf curl | Remove damaged shoots; check the label before spraying |
| Sticky leaves and black mould | Mealybugs, scale or aphids | Control the sap-sucker, then wash the leaves |
| Silvery trails and slime | Slugs and snails | Use baits as labelled or a physical barrier |
| Round holes in fruit and leaves | Beetles such as hibiscus beetle or Christmas beetle | Hand remove at night and keep the area clean |
For gentler options, see our neem oil and white oil guide, and always check that a product is labelled for the plant.
Millipedes, slugs and snails
- How to prevent millipedes from entering the house: seal gaps under doors, trim mulch back from walls and fix leaks.
- How to stop millipedes: remove damp leaf litter near the foundation and sweep up wanderers rather than spraying.
- How to deter slugs: water in the morning, remove hiding places and use copper tape or a physical barrier.
- Natural snail bait: beer traps and hand picking at night work for small gardens.
- Retail snail baits: use only as directed and keep pets away, because some baits are harmful if eaten.
- Do not spray around the house on impulse: a licensed technician can treat perimeters if needed.
Other garden pests to know
- Grasshoppers: a retail grasshopper spray from Bunnings must be used exactly as the label directs, and not near flowering plants.
- Orb weaving spiders: garden orb weavers are beneficial and harmless to most people, so leave them where you can.
- Christmas beetles and hibiscus beetles: hand pick, as they rarely justify chemical treatment.
- Bora bugs: the term usually refers to wood borers, so book a licensed timber pest inspection if you find fine dust and small holes.
- Long-term barrier sprays: products such as Yates long term barrier spray are for the surfaces listed on the label only.
- What does Zeus insecticide kill: check the product label for the pests it lists, and never use it for pests it does not name.
FAQs: lawn grub
How to prevent millipedes from entering house?
Seal gaps under doors and around pipes, fix leaks and trim mulch and leaf litter back from the walls. Millipedes follow damp conditions after rain, so dry the perimeter. Sweep up the stragglers rather than spraying, and book a licensed technician if they keep coming.
What does Zeus insecticide kill?
The pests are listed on the product label, so read it before use and apply only for those pests, on those surfaces, at the rates stated. Using it for anything else is off-label. Keep children and pets away, ventilate, and store it locked away.
What is eating my citrus leaves?
Caterpillars, leaf miners, bronze orange stink bugs, beetles, snails and slugs all damage citrus. Look at the leaf edges, droppings and the time of day when damage appears. Hand pick small outbreaks and use label-approved controls only.
How to get rid of orange bugs on citrus trees?
Orange bugs are bronze orange stink bugs, which spray an irritating fluid. Wear gloves and eye protection, knock them into soapy water or use a label-approved product on shoots. Read our stink bug guide and prune damaged growth.
How to stop millipedes?
Remove damp leaf litter, fix irrigation leaks and keep mulch away from walls. Fit door seals and seal cracks. Millipedes are harmless, but they invade after heavy rain. Avoid broad spraying, because dry surroundings work better.
How to get rid of army grub?
Check the lawn at dusk, mow slightly taller and water deeply in the morning. If caterpillars are confirmed, use a registered lawn product exactly as the label directs, keeping children and pets off until dry. Call a licensed technician for widespread damage.
Getting lawn grub treated in Sydney
If lawn damage keeps spreading or pests are coming indoors, we recommend a licensed inspection. TQN Pest Control’s Sydney technicians identify the pest, apply label-compliant treatments and explain what the warranty covers. Book a pest inspection.
