Ron Davis Lawncare & Landscaping
Common Spokane Lawn Pests: Billbugs vs. Crane Flies vs. Grubs
All three are common in Spokane’s semi-arid, cold-winter climate, but a damaged lawn tells a different story depending on which one you’re actually dealing with — and treatment timing matters more than the treatment itself.
Billbugs
Larvae feed on grass roots and crowns, causing wilted, dry patches that can look like drought stress.
Threshold: 1+ larva per sq ft
Window: Late May–June
White Grubs
June beetle larvae, also root feeders, causing similar wilted patches.
Threshold: 6+ grubs per sq ft
Window: Late July–August
Crane Flies
Cause thinning at higher densities before visible damage shows.
Threshold: 25–50+ larvae per sq ft
How to Tell Which One You Have
- Wilted, dry-looking patches that don’t respond to watering → likely billbugs or grubs
- Birds or raccoons digging in the lawn → often a sign of grub activity
- General thinning without clearly dead patches → check for crane fly larvae
A quick inspection tells us which pest you actually have before we recommend treatment — treating for the wrong one wastes money and doesn’t fix the problem. Call +1 (509) 356-5405 or request a free estimate.