4 Bugs That Kill Grass

Growing grass seems pretty simple. That’s particularly true in a place with abundant sunshine like Jackson, WY – just add some water and the occasional fertilizer and you’re all set, right? Not so fast. There are some problems that can pop up with your lawn that will need ongoing attention, and one of those is are bugs that kill grass.

You will need to pay close attention to the health of your grass to spot signs of bug damage. If you do see signs of trouble, acting quickly to resolve the problem is in your best interest. Contact TLC to discuss the lawn bug issues you are having and what we can do to help you have the healthiest grass possible in the years to come and see our lawn maintenance programs. 

#1 – White Grubs

This is not actually a specific type of bug, but rather a category that includes many different types of grubs – many of which are capable of doing serious harm to your lawn. If you do experience an infestation, you’ll probably wind up with patches of brown grass despite your best efforts to keep those areas healthy. You probably won’t see much of a sign of these grubs when looking down at your lawn from above, so consider digging up a small section in an out-of-the-way area to check the soil and see if any are present. 

If you do find yourself facing a sizable infestation from some type of white grub, having a pesticide or insecticide applied might be your best course of action. You want to be sure to use the right product in the right quantity, however, so it’s best to get professional help with this task. Also, a professional landscaping team may be able to provide you with other solutions and preventative measures. 

#2 – Bill Bugs

One of the many types of bugs that can harm your Jackson, WY area lawn is bill bugs. These are small little weevils that don’t do major damage to grass, in most cases, but can still harm the quality of your turf and leave visible proof of their presence. It’s more likely that you’ll encounter trouble with bill bugs when you use sod to create a new lawn, and the spots of damage are usually scattered and near the edges where other plants are present. 

When you suspect that part of your lawn has been damaged by bill bugs, simply giving extra care to that area may be all you need to do to fill it back in and make it green once again. That means adding more water than normal to those spots, and making sure they aren’t missed when applying fertilizer. If you are able to keep your lawn as a whole in good condition throughout the year, you should be able to avoid significant damage from bill bugs. 

#3 – Armyworms

As the name suggests, these are small little worms that might decide to make your lawn into a meal. Again here, the common sign that armyworms are present is a brown patch in your grass, so don’t just assume that you haven’t applied enough water to keep the grass alive. It might be that armyworms have moved in, as they tend to do in large numbers, and have begun to eat some of the blades. Insecticides of various forms are available to treat a lawn that is dealing with armyworm problems. 

#4 – Mosquitos

Okay – so these little pests aren’t going to directly impact the quality of your lawn, but they may have a significant impact on your ability to utilize that lawn for recreation or relaxation. If the area around your lawn has a significant mosquito presence, you probably won’t head out there very often to have fun with family and friends. 

While you can use insecticides to get rid of mosquitoes, you might be able to make progress on this problem simply by cutting down on the conditions that allow these pests to thrive. Specifically, look for any areas of standing water around your property and try to dry those areas out. Without standing water, you’ll be much less likely to deal with sizable mosquito populations. Also, do your best to maintain a clean and organized property – mosquitoes are going to want piles of organic materials to hide in and call home. Without those spots available, they may just move on to another area nearby. 

It’s not necessary to be a bug expert to see that some type of pest is doing damage to your grass. Watch for the issues that were mentioned above and bring in an expert team like TLC right away to address the matter and get your lawn back on track toward a healthy future. We appreciate your time and hope to work with you soon.