tree diseases and the symptoms to watch for

Are Insects Ruining Your Lawn?

13 March 2018

Wesley Perry

With the coming of spring also comes the greening of the lawn. However, in some cases the lawn may not revive from winter or it may begin to suffer problems as the weather warms. Insects can sometimes be the cause of lawn issues. The following can help you determine if bugs are at the root of your grass problems.

Problem: "Rootless" Grass

The lawn begins spring looking lovely, but then in late spring or early summer dead spots begin to develop. If you tug on the blades of grass in a dying spot, the turf may peel up like it has no roots. This is because it doesn't! Lawn grubs eat away the roots and kill the lawn in large patches. They can become a problem at any time from spring through early fall. They are the larval form of beetles, usually June bugs or Japanese beetles. Seeing these pests on your lawn is a sign that they may be laying eggs. Fortunately, treating your lawn annually with a grub killer prevents these issues. Just make sure the lawn has been treated before you try to reinstall fresh sod.

Problem: Patchy dead spots in sunny areas

The grass in the shade may be thriving but the turf in sunny areas looks ragged and half dead. The culprit is likely chinch bugs. These insects feed on the grass blades by sucking out the sap near the soil surface. Seeing them is rare, since they tend to stay in the thatch layer of dead grass blades that is right at soil level. If you disturb the thatch, you may flush out a few small black bugs with white wings, which allows you to verify the infestation. Dethatching your lawn removes their nesting sites, which can be sufficient for managing a minor problem. For extensive infestations, an insecticide application may be necessary.

Problem: Brown, spongy lawn patches

Soft, spongy ground and dead grass, which may or may not have small upturned areas of soil in it, are often blamed on overwatering or poor drainage. Unfortunately, the culprit may actually be an underground dwelling cricket called a mole cricket. The crickets create burrowing tunnels all over a healthy lawn, where they feast on underground insects and plant roots. Their burrowing and their feeding disturbs the grass and can cause major dieback and unstable soil. Having your lawn treated to kill these insects is the only surefire way to save your lawn.

Contact a lawn service for more help. Once you have solved the issue of insect infestation, consider employing landscaping services to repair or enhance your lawn.

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