The summer rains here in south Florida can provide some
relief from the heat as well as keeping our lawns lush and green, but they can
also do some damage if you don't stay on top of any potential pest control issues.
Aside from standing water attracting disease-causing pests like mosquitoes, it
may serve as an ideal location for some lawn-destroying pests to get a foothold
on your property.
What follows are some of the most common pests, and what
signs for which to be watching.
Chinch Bugs
Are patches of dead, brown grass beginning to take over your
lawn? That could be a sign of the dreaded chinch bug. These tiny pests feed off
of the sap in your grass, gradually killing it. If you've been overwatering,
over-fertilizing, have sandy or shell-filled soil, or you have St. Augustine
grass, you are more susceptible to this damage-causing pest.
If you monitor your lawn carefully, you may be able to catch
it in time. Chinch bugs will cause this progression of signs:
- First you may notice that certain areas of the grass are growing more slowly than other areas.
- Next, those areas on your lawn will begin turning yellow
- The next phase will see that grass becoming a red/brown color.
- Finally, large sections of the lawn will die, appearing as though there were drought conditions
Sod Webworms
These little creatures resemble caterpillars, coming out to
feast on your lawn at night. At their most active from April until autumn, they
begin life as larvae, basically only scraping the grass blade surface. As they
grow larger, though, so does their appetite. Sod webworms will begin eating the
blades of grass, causing your lawn to begin to appear uneven and ragged, with patches
of your lawn eventually growing thinner.
Sod webworms are large enough to be seen by the naked eye,
so you may be able to diagnose their existence in your grass visually. You may
also be able to determine their presence by being on the lookout for the
green-tinged, pellet-shaped waste they leave behind them.
Grubs
These small crescent-shaped bugs will make a meal of your
grass roots, burrowing tunnels as they feed their way across your lawn. The
damage they cause to the roots makes it hard for the grass to absorb the
nutrients and water it needs to flourish. If you're seeing sections of your
yard turning yellow and dying, you may want to dig in and see if grubs are to
blame. Cut a flap of grass about one square foot and peel it back. You'll be
able to spot them if they're present.
Another downside to these pests is that they're a tasty food
source for armadillos and raccoons, who will dig up your lawn in search of a
meal.
If you suspect your lawn has fallen prey to any of these
bugs, the time to call a pest control
expert is now. Ambassador Pest Management
will come to your home or business and perform a free, no-obligation
inspection and provide you with a service estimate that will help you take back
your lawn from these unwelcome invaders.
