White Grubs & 10-Lined June Beetles: Why We’re Seeing More Lawn Damage in the PNW This Year
Cody Cochran | July 2026
If your lawn has been looking patchy and brown this summer, you’re not alone. This season, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in white grub activity across the Olympia, Lacey, and greater Thurston County area. While we’ve spotted the occasional case over the last couple of years, 2026 has brought significantly more reports — and the damage can show up fast.
What Are White Grubs?
White grubs are the larval stage of several scarab beetles, including the 10-lined June beetle. These C-shaped, cream-colored larvae live in the soil and feed on grass roots. As they grow, they can destroy the root system, causing sections of turf to die off. The adult 10-lined June beetles emerge in early to mid-summer, but the real damage happens underground while they’re in the grub stage.
How They Wreck Lawns
When grubs feed heavily on roots, the grass loses its ability to take up water and nutrients. Affected areas turn brown and often feel spongy. In many cases, you can grab a handful of the dead grass and lift it up like a piece of carpet because the roots have been severed. You may also notice increased activity from skunks, raccoons, or birds digging in those spots as they hunt for the grubs. In the PNW, these pests tend to show up more in lawns with higher thatch, certain grass types, or areas that stay moist enough in early summer for the eggs to hatch successfully. Once the damage starts, it can spread quickly during our dry summer months.
Grub Damage vs. Heat Stress — How to Tell the Difference. Not every brown patch is caused by grubs. Here’s how to tell the difference:
• Heat or drought stress usually looks more uniform, especially in full sun areas. The grass may wilt during the heat of the day, but it can perk back up with watering. The turf stays firmly rooted in the soil.
• Grub damage tends to appear in irregular patches. A key giveaway is that the grass pulls up easily with little to no root resistance. You’ll often see animals actively digging in the affected areas. If your lawn has random dead patches where the turf lifts like a rug (and especially if you see digging animals), it’s worth having it checked for grubs.
What Should You Do If Your Lawn Looks Like This?
Take a look at the photos in this post. If your yard is showing similar patchy dead areas, don’t wait for it to get worse. Give us a call, and we’ll come out to inspect your lawn and confirm whether white grubs are the culprit.
Good News: If You’re on Our Premium Lawn Fertilizer Program
If you’re already enrolled in our Premium Lawn Fertilizer Program, the cost of grub treatment is included. We’ll apply the appropriate control at the right time to target the grubs while they’re vulnerable. Any additional rehab work that may be needed (such as overseeding, aeration, or soil amendments) would be quoted separately. Early action makes a big difference with grub damage. The sooner we can evaluate and treat, the better chance your lawn has of recovering before fall.
If you’re seeing these symptoms, reach out to Wolbert’s today. We’ll come take a look and help get your lawn back on track.
Contact us for a lawn inspection — we’re here to help.
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