Lush lawns can fall victim to a myriad of harsh conditions. Extreme weather, poor soil, and disease create problems for our yards sporadically, but pests are perhaps your lawn’s greatest threat year-round. No matter how much time, effort, or money you put into your lawn care, a pest invasion can bring it all crashing down in no time at all.
A lawn without a few pests is unrealistic; however, an infestation of pests can create a real problem for even the toughest and healthiest of turfs. The best thing you can do to protect your lawn from destruction is to know the warning signs of pests and take action before they take over.
Grubs
Grubs are known to most homeowners for their destructive powers in lawns. Capable of living in your grass for years, grubs can cost thousands of dollars in damage to fully eradicate. One of the most common types of lawn grub is the June Bug, a beetle that emerges from the ground in late May to feed on the foliage of shrubs and trees. Grubs also attract wildlife who feed on them, such as moles, birds, and raccoons.
Mole Crickets
Almost alien-like,mole crickets are strange-looking insects that can do great harm to your yard. While mole crickets do not pose dangers to humans and animals, they damage grass by using their large front claws to burrow under sod and feed on small insects. This activity disrupts grass roots, causing them to wilt or die.
Chinch Bugs
For the tiny insects they are, chinch bugs eat heaps of moisture-rich grass blades. Found everywhere from the Carolinas down to Florida and towards Kentucky, chinch bugs feast on bluegrass, ryegrass, Zoysia grass, and Bermuda grass. While nibbling on your nutrient-rich grass, chinch bugs inject poison into their blades, disrupting water movement, which causes the blade to wither and die. As the grass dries, the chinch bug will move to the edges creating dead patches throughout the yard.
Professional Eradication Of Lawn Pests
Recognizing early warning signs of pest infestation in your yard or property is critical to successful eradication and minimal lawn damage. Professional lawn care services can identify the source of your lawn’s dispair and provide the right treatment plan to kill the pest and support healthy growth. Your property will show you early warning signs when experiencing a pest problem; make sure you pay attention and get help as soon as possible.
