Damage caused by white grubs initially resembles drought stress.
Turf that has been damaged by white grubs will lift away from the soil easily because the roots have been eaten and they no longer anchor the turf to the soil. Often, skunks and other small mammals will pull back the turf in search of a meal of grubs. This damage is usually more extensive than that caused by the grubs, but can be repaired by replacing the sod, tamping or rolling the surface and watering the area. The most common species is the European chafer, which has come from Europe and has invaded much of the southern portion of the province. It occurs along Lake Erie and has spread to areas north of London and Kitchener and east of Toronto.