Why Are Crows, Raccoons, and Squirrels Eating Our Lawns? What to Do About European Chafer Grubs
Maika Mattson
3/31/2025
If you’ve noticed crows, raccoons, or squirrels tearing up your lawn lately, you’re not alone. These animals aren’t just causing chaos for fun, they’re on a mission to find food. One likely culprit is the European chafer grub. These grubs are the larvae of a beetle called the European chafer, an invasive species native to Europe, which has been causing damage to lawns and turf in nearby British Columbia and may be making its way into Washington State.
The grubs feed on the roots of grass, leading to dead patches and weakened turf. As they cluster near the surface, they become an easy and nutritious snack for local wildlife. Crows and raccoons, in particular, are skilled at peeling back turf to get to them. While it may look like your lawn is under attack by animals, the real problem lies beneath the surface.
To check if European chafer grubs are present, look for C-shaped, white larvae with dark heads in the root zone of damaged areas. If you find them, consider pest management strategies like nematode treatments or increased watering during the egg-laying season. Fortunately, West Seattle Nursery sells live beneficial nematodes in the Garden Center, which can help reduce grub populations naturally.
Additionally, we’ll be getting Grub Gone from Green Earth Ag & Turf later this month. Grub Gone is a bio-insecticide that uses Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae (Btg) to control turf grubs with the same efficacy as chemical treatments—without harming beneficial insects like pollinators. It’s effective against all life stages of grubs, including the more challenging later stages, making it both a curative and preventative treatment. Addressing the grub problem is key to keeping your lawn and the critters at peace.
That said, one of our best recommendations? Grow a pollinator garden instead of a lawn. Replacing turf with a pollinator garden provides food and habitat for pollinators, enhances biodiversity, and reduces the need for water and chemical inputs. It’s a win for your yard and the environment!
