White grubs - Ville de Kirkland

Alerts

To keep you informed of important messages from the city!
2026-08-21

August 21, 2026 – Pressure testing on the water distribution network - Dragon Street - to resume on Monday, August 24 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Possible discoloured water and drop in water pressure for certain addresses on Dragon street

2026-08-20

August 20, 2026 - Drinking water supply interruption AND boil water advisory for certain addresses on Charlevoix, Rougemont and Marcel-Meloche streets

Drinking water supply interruption AND boil water advisory for certain addresses on Charlevoix, Rougemont and Marcel-Meloche streets

Works Info

Stay informed about the work being carried out in the city, whether it involves road repairs, infrastructure maintenance, work on the water network, or park redevelopment. For any questions or to report an issue related to the work, please call 514-694-4100.
2026-08-07

Road Reconstruction – Place du Souvenir, Aesop St., Allard St., Derome St., Pasquini St.

Road Reconstruction – Place du Souvenir, Aesop St., Allard St., Derome St., Pasquini St.

2026-08-03

Replacement of a section of the storm sewer network on Argyle Street

Replacement of a section of the storm sewer network on Argyle Street.

2026-06-29

Reconfiguration of the merge lane onto Saint-Charles Boulevard South at the Sainte-Marie Road East intersection

Reconfiguration of the merge lane onto Saint-Charles Boulevard South at the Sainte-Marie Road East intersection, starting June 29.

White grubs

The Warning Signs

vers_blancs.jpgCan your yellowing lawn be lifted in patches, like a carpet? In the mornings, do you happen to see divots of grass lifted and overturned? It must be the work of skunks or raccoons feeding off the larvae buried in the soil. If this is the state of your lawn, then it is no doubt infested with white grubs.



What to do?

At the onset of grub damage, there is practically nothing you can do to get rid of them. The following are some advisable measures:

  • Apply animal repellent (generally capsaicin (Cayenne pepper) or piperine (black pepper) based to keep skunks and raccoons away, as they cause more damage by digging under the turf searching for a meal of grubs.
  • Step on the patches of grass ploughed by the little animals to put them back in place and water them thoroughly.
  • Let nature take its course and wait until May when the soil is dry to repair damaged lawn.
  • It is important to note that there is no synthetic or low-impact pesticide that can be effective against these insects at this stage of their development. Also, nematodes should only be used in August.

Eco-friendly Prevention Measures

The objective here is to produce healthy and vigorous lawns that resist better to white grubs. To this effect, here is what is recommended:
  • Keep mowing height at 7 cm (2’’ ¾) or more.
  • Fertilize using only natural fertilizers and compost, whilst avoiding nitrogen (N) over-application – citizens can get free compost in May from municipal installations.
  • Refrain from using synthetic pesticides.
  • Overseed at least once a year – choose an ecological seed mix of endophytes and clover, which will help build your lawn’s strength and resistance.
  • Add clover to your lawn, white grubs do not like it.
  • From end of June to mid-July, turn off outdoor lights so as not to attract egg-laying female grubs.
  • These and many other preventive measures must be maintained throughout the summer.
Sources: L’écopelouse – Pour une pelouse vraiment écologique and Le guide complet des pesticides à faible impact et autres solutions naturelles, both written by Micheline Lévesque, Agronomist.

For more information

For more information on white grubs and eco-friendly prevention measures, do not hesitate to call the Green Line.

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