Grub damage usually appears in late July. Before using Grub-ex you should dig up 1 square foot of sod. If you find fewer than a dozen grubs in that square foot, then you don't have a grub problem. A grub problem is when you have an uncountable swarm of grubs in that square foot.

1. What would be the point of exposing the soil? What are you trying to do?

2. Overseed in early September. It would really help to know where you live. Zone 5 is not helpful for lawn issues.

Where do you live?

What is your watering schedule? How often and for how long do you water?

What kind of grass do you have?

Is there any shade on the grass during the day? Trees? Fences? Buildings? Other shade?

I live in central Massachusetts. I water twice a week when needed to supply 1" of water per week.

I believe the grass type is KBG.

No shade; about a foot away from a town asphalt sidewalk. The area of damage measures approximately 10' x 2' rectangle in shape. Grass is completely dead; patches pull up easily.

Last year:

1.) we had a drought and I was unable to water due to a water ban.

2.) I did have grubs on the other side of the driveway.

3.) Could this be the result of grub damage from 2016?

The rest of the lawn in the area came back this spring.

What else could cause the dead grass?

Thanks