Brown Patches Got You Confused? Here’s What’s Really Killing Your Grass
So your lawn’s looking rough. Brown patches everywhere, grass pulling up easy, and you’re standing there scratching your head. Is it those nasty grubs munching away underground? Or did you just forget to water during that heat wave last month?
Here’s the thing — getting this wrong costs you time and money. Treat for grubs when it’s actually drought stress, and you’ve wasted cash on pesticides while your grass keeps dying. Water like crazy when grubs are the real culprit, and those little pests just keep feasting.
I’ve seen homeowners dump hundreds of dollars into the wrong solution. And honestly? The difference between these two problems isn’t that hard to spot once you know what to look for. If you’re dealing with persistent lawn issues, Professional Lawn Care Services in Buffalo TX can help diagnose and fix the problem fast.
Let’s break down exactly how to tell what’s going on with your lawn — and what to do about it.
The Quick and Dirty Turf Pull Test
This is your go-to diagnostic move. Takes about 30 seconds and tells you a ton.
Walk over to one of those brown patches. Grab a handful of grass and give it a firm tug. Not a gentle pull — really grip it and yank.
If the turf peels back like a carpet: You’ve got grubs. Those little white c-shaped larvae eat grass roots, so there’s literally nothing holding the turf to the soil anymore. It’ll roll right up.
If the grass holds firm but feels dry and crunchy: That’s drought damage. The roots are still intact, but the plant itself is stressed from lack of water.
Pretty simple, right? But there’s more to look at.
What Grub Damage Actually Looks Like
Grubs are the larvae of beetles — usually Japanese beetles, June bugs, or European chafers. They live just below the soil surface and munch on grass roots from late summer through fall.
Visual Signs of Grub Infestation
- Irregular brown patches that spread over time
- Spongy, soft feeling when you walk on affected areas
- Increased animal activity — skunks, raccoons, and birds digging up your lawn looking for a grub snack
- Turf that lifts easily like loose carpet
- Damage typically appears in late summer or early fall
According to entomology research on white grubs, a healthy lawn can handle about 5-10 grubs per square foot without showing damage. More than that? You’ve got a problem.
Confirm It: Dig and Count
Cut a one-foot square section of turf about 3 inches deep. Peel it back and count the grubs you see. Finding more than 10? Yeah, they’re your issue.
Drought Stress Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Drought damage shows up differently. And it’s actually easier to fix — if you catch it early enough.
How Drought-Stressed Grass Looks
- Grass blades turn bluish-gray before going brown
- Footprints stay visible long after you’ve walked across the lawn
- Damage often appears in patterns — sunny spots die first, shaded areas stay green longer
- Soil feels hard, compacted, and dry
- Grass feels crispy and crunchy underfoot
The footprint test is actually really useful here. Walk across your lawn in the morning. If your footprints are still visible 30 minutes later, your grass doesn’t have enough moisture to spring back.
The Water Penetration Check
Grab a screwdriver and push it into your soil. In properly watered lawn, it should slide in pretty easily to about 6 inches. If you’re fighting hard compacted soil that won’t let the screwdriver through? Your lawn’s been dry too long.
Timing Tells You a Lot
When did the damage show up? This clue alone can point you in the right direction.
Mid to late summer damage that appears after a hot, dry spell? Probably drought. Makes sense, right?
Late summer through early fall damage that seems to spread regardless of watering? Think grubs. That’s their peak feeding season.
Spring damage can go either way. Grubs sometimes feed again briefly in spring before pupating. But spring drought stress is common too in areas with inconsistent rainfall.
Lawn Care Services in Buffalo TX providers often see both problems hitting lawns at different times of year, so knowing the seasonal patterns really helps with diagnosis.
Fixing Grub Damage the Right Way
Okay, so you’ve confirmed grubs are the problem. Now what?
Treatment Options
Biological control: Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that attack grub larvae. They’re organic, safe for pets and kids, and actually work pretty well. Apply them in late summer when soil is moist.
Chemical treatments: Products containing imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole work as preventatives. Apply in early summer before eggs hatch. Curative products with trichlorfon or carbaryl kill active grubs but need good timing.
Timing matters more than anything: Preventative treatments work best. Once you see damage, the grubs have already done their worst.
After Treatment
Rake out dead grass, add topsoil to damaged areas, and overseed. Keep new seed consistently moist for 2-3 weeks. For extensive damage, professionals like Bornmann Solutions recommend sodding larger patches for faster recovery.
Recovering From Drought Damage
Good news here — drought-stressed grass often recovers on its own once you get watering right.
The Deep Watering Strategy
Forget daily light sprinkles. They actually make things worse by encouraging shallow root growth.
- Water deeply 2-3 times per week
- Aim for about 1 inch of water total per week
- Water early morning (6-10 AM) to reduce evaporation
- Let soil dry slightly between waterings to encourage deep roots
Soil Conditioning Helps
Compacted soil can’t absorb water properly. Core aeration — punching small holes throughout your lawn — lets water and air reach root zones. Fall is the best time for this.
Adding organic matter like compost helps soil retain moisture better long-term. A thin layer topdressed over your lawn does wonders.
Preventing Both Problems Next Year
Smart lawn care prevents most of these headaches before they start.
For grub prevention: Apply preventative treatments in June or early July. Keep lawn healthy — stressed grass shows grub damage faster. Consider milky spore disease for long-term biological control.
For drought prevention: Mow higher (3-4 inches) during hot weather. Taller grass shades soil and develops deeper roots. Improve soil quality with regular organic amendments. Consider drought-tolerant grass varieties for problem areas.
Professional Lawn Care Services in Buffalo TX typically include soil testing and customized treatment plans that address underlying issues before they become visible problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my lawn have both grub damage and drought stress at the same time?
Absolutely. It’s actually pretty common. A drought-weakened lawn can’t tolerate even small grub populations, so the damage compounds. If you’re seeing mixed symptoms, address both issues — water properly while treating for grubs.
Will grub damage repair itself if I just water more?
Nope. More water won’t fix grass with no roots. You need to eliminate the grubs first, then reseed or resod affected areas. Without killing the grubs, they’ll just destroy any new grass you plant.
How long does drought-damaged grass take to recover?
With proper watering, you’ll usually see improvement within 2-4 weeks. Severely damaged grass may need 6-8 weeks. If brown patches don’t green up after a month of consistent watering, the grass crowns may be dead and you’ll need to reseed.
When should I call a professional instead of DIY?
If damage covers more than 25% of your lawn, if you’ve tried treatment without improvement, or if you’re unsure what’s causing the problem — that’s when Lawn Care Services in Buffalo TX make sense. Misdiagnosis wastes time and money.
Are there grasses more resistant to grub damage?
Yes. Tall fescue and fine fescues have deeper root systems that tolerate some grub feeding better. Endophyte-enhanced grass varieties also show natural resistance. For additional information on grass selection, local experts can recommend varieties suited to your specific conditions.
