3 Common Pests Looking to Invade Your Central Florida Lawn
A lawn is a place to relax for some, a point of pride for others, and a space to make memories with friends and family for many. For many insects and pests, your lawn is a place to eat! There are various insects that may enter your lawn and may do a good bit of damage before they leave. When you suspect a turf-damaging insect is present, it’s important to know what to look for!
Signs You May Have White Grubs in Your Lawn
A common lawn pest you may see during hot Florida summer months are Lawn Grubs, also called White Grubs. These small creatures have white, c-shaped bodies, resembling thick worms. More well-known, June Beetles, are one of the adult forms of grubs. The adult beetles lay eggs during summer and grubs hatch in the soil during late summer and early fall. Lawn grubs feed on the most important part of the lawn, the roots. Areas of damage may resemble drought stress, appearing yellow and weak. Grubs burrow just beneath the soil and may be visible if you cut out a square of grass and lift it up. If the damaged area pulls up easily, it means there are few or no roots on it and grubs are likely the culprit. Any incidence of lawn grubs should be addressed as soon as possible. Since they burrow beneath the lawn surface, attacking vital root systems, Florida homeowners should consider contacting a professional lawn and pest control provider.
Signs of Fall Armyworms Marching Through Florida Lawns
Army worms are thankfully not as common but even more damaging. Aptly named, they march through lawns in large groups, consuming everything in their path. They work hard and they work fast. In severe cases, armyworms can chew through a small lawn in a matter of days, leaving the grass brown and discolored. Armyworms resemble caterpillars with grayish-brown striped bodies and the infamous upside down “Y” marking on their head. The prime time for armyworms in Florida lawns is around fall in August and September but in some cases, they may even appear in spring months. Any sign of armyworms in your lawn needs immediate attention from a lawn pest control professional to stop the damage.
The Infamous Chinch Bug: Signs and Symptoms
One of the most common pests found in the southeast, the southern Chinch bug, loves Florida lawns. These critters are black-bodied and have a lifespan varying from 10-70 days as multiple different studies have shown. St. Augustine lawns with sandy soil are particularly vulnerable to cinch bugs, which makes them even more prevalent in Coastal and Central Florida. Chinch bugs thrive in hot, dry areas and feed on stems of grass until they’re completely dried out. Areas of damage will show up in brownish-yellow discolored patches commonly in circular shapes. If you follow a proper watering schedule for your Florida lawn and still see signs of drought stress, you may have chinch bugs present. If your local lawn care provider includes insecticide treatments, they may be able to take care of the problem for you!
Can Chinch Bugs be Prevented?
There are some control products out there to prevent chinch bugs activity but there are a few things Florida property owners can do to make their lawns less susceptible. Proper mowing and watering is a great start to preventing chinch bugs. Chinch bugs love dry areas and watering will prevent them from sucking the grass blades dry. Keeping the lawn cut to the recommended height can allow you to see any possible activity and limits the available food source. Another great way to prevent chinch bugs is to aerate your lawn annually. Aeration alleviates compaction, promotes healthy root growth, and builds a stronger turf barrier to fight off diseases and stress.
Hiring a Professional for Lawn Pest Control near Central Florida
With most turf-damaging insects throughout Florida, the damage can happen fast, and recovery time may vary. Florida homeowners looking to protect their lawns should consider hiring a professional to take care of all their lawn pest control needs. Residents in the Melbourne, Saint Cloud, and Kissimmee areas can trust our knowledgeable team at Pearce Lawn Care. Pearce is a local lawn care company located in Melbourne that has been offering quality lawn care services to the local community since 1994. We offer fertilization and weed control programs, lawn pest control, aeration, and more. To make sure your beautiful Florida lawn is protected this season, contact us today for a free quote. We also offer lawn inspections!