No. European chafer and Japanese beetles have been found in every county south of a line from Bay City to Muskegon and in quite a few north of there as well. June beetle grubs are found everywhere in Michigan.

     If I see grubs, will they harm the new sod?

It is very unlikely that the grubs seen in the new sod will cause any problems. To make sure, take some samples from the new sod. Use a shovel with a 6 inch wide blade to cut a square that is 6 inches  on each side. Count the number of grubs found  in roots and soil within this square by carefully pulling it apart. Repeat this step four times. Add up the total number of grubs you found in the four samples. This will give you an average number of grubs per square foot. The most common grubs, Japanese beetles and European chafer, will not damage the turf unless more than 5 per square foot are found.  

 

Irrigated or frequently watered lawns are less likely to be injured by grubs. In the future, if you find a few grubs (fewer than 5 per square foot), moderate irrigation will prevent grub injury. Higher numbers of grubs are unlikely, but if it happens, apply Bayer Season Long Grub Control or GrubEX. For more information, contact your local MSU Extension office.

This article and photo is courtesy of Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology, David Smitley. Bulletin E1&TURF   www.turf.msu.edu