Florida Lawn Pest
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are by far the #1 turf destroying pest in the South East. Chinch bugs are very small and can travel fast. They feed on grass by using a piercing and sucking mouth part. When feeding they also inject a poison into the grass that kills it. Chinch bugs can cause devastating amounts of damage. Chinch bugs are attracted to dry and sunny areas of lawns.
In recent years Chinch bugs have developed resistance to a number of insecticides. When a resistant population of chinch bugs is found an intense treatment regime must be implemented. This involves rotating insecticide products on a 7-14 day intervals.
Tropical Sod Web Worms
Tropical Sod Web Worms are very common pest in Florida. They damage the lawn by chewing the leaf blade. Initial feedings can go unnoticed but as the cycles progress the damage becomes easier to see. Peak Sod Web Worm season ranges from June-August. Damage looks similar to a lawn mower scalping the lawn. Regular monthly treatments help manage populations and damage. Damage from sod web worms usually recovers quickly unlike damage from chinch bugs.
The moth from the sod web worm shows that sod web worms are in the area. the moth does not cause damage to the lawn and will not go away with treatment. The feeding larva is the target of treatments.
Army Worms
Army worms cause damage very similar to tropical sod web worms. We see them through the growing season and usually peak in the fall. Damage from army worms will look like chew marks on grass leaf blades. Once treated recovery to damaged areas begins.
White Grubs
White grubs are root feeding insects that can damage all southern turf. They feed subsurface and target roots. Heavily damaged areas will lift up like a carpet would. Upon inspection of lifting areas the white grub will be easily found.