Pests can invade and infest lawns, creating an eyesore of otherwise well-maintained home lawns. Pest infestations in gardens are a common occurrence in many homes, often resulting in damage to not only the grass turf and soil but surrounding structures. The destruction left behind by lawn pests can be devastating; that is why many homeowners try to find the most effective ways of riding their lawns of pests. If left unchecked, the pests multiply in number, leaving destruction and sometimes disease in their wake.
Your lawn tells a lot about how well you maintain and take care of your home. It is essential, therefore, always to have your home lawn the best of conditions, and even more important pest free!
Common lawn pests
Some of the most common lawn pests that thrive in an unchecked, poorly managed lawn environment include the following;
- White grubs- grubs are the larval stage of several species of scarab beetle pests
- Billbugs- common during summer, billbugs are weevils whose larvae feast on the grass in the lawn, while in winter, they hide in the leaf litter along lawn edges
- Sod webworms- they are wheat colored worms observed during lawn mowing which can damage the lawn vegetation if their population increase
- Cutworms and armyworms- they are big fleshy caterpillars that thrive by eating grass and leaves in the lawns especially in exploding populations
- Chinch bugs- usually common during the heat of the summer, the hour-glass shaped bugs damage grass on extensive margins
Most of the mentioned pests’ damage only manifest when their populations explode, and they become uncontrolled. The infestation of such pest’s results from poorly managed lawns, resulting in the pests multiplying in their thousands, causing immeasurable havoc to once beautiful gardens.
Signs of lawn pest infestations
It is easy to detect a lawn that has been infested by taking a look at the vegetation and soil topography of the garden. The destruction left behind by pest infestations is quite evident to the observer, especially when the outbreak is on a large scale.
Some of the apparent signs of a lawn that has been infested by pests include the following;
- Patches of dying garden- drying of vegetation indicative of a dying lawn is as a result of pests feeding on the roots of the plant. The most common suspect in the case of your garden dying are grubs
- Finger-width stripes of dead grass- disappearing off grass in uniform narrow-striped patterns are indicative of mole cricket infestation
- Burrows- burrows in and around the lawn may be an indication of larger predators trying to dig out pests from deep within the soil
- Dirt mounds- mounds of dirt and soil in the garden are an indication of moles pushing through the surface from beneath within the ground
- Any significant color change of the plants and vegetation in the lawn that is not related to weather change might be an indication of pest infestation.
Lawn pests thrive by feeding on the vegetation found within the lawn. Extensive damage to the plant and soil within the garden should be a wake-up call to take the necessary measures to rid the lawn of the pest’s nuisance.
Lawn pest management and control
Well-maintained and cared for lawns are a deterrent for thriving of pests. There are specific measures that should be practiced to ensure that the garden remains in prime state, making it hard for pests to invade and thrive within the lawn. Some of the most effective measures to manage your lawn and control pests include the following;
- Growing appropriate and specified species of grass recommended by the experts for a particular climatic region will be a deterrent to pests’ emergence and thriving in the environment
- Frequent and routine irrigation and fertilizer application in the lawn affects the health of the lawn, creating an environment that is a deterrent to pests.
- Thatch removal from the lawn when they accumulate
- Ensure the garden maintains a specific height by routine and regular mowing
- Prune adjacent and surrounding tree branches to provide the grass with sufficient light for proper uninterrupted growth.
- In extreme cases, the use of biological control measures such as predators and parasites may also inhibit pest infestations in the lawn
- Application of pesticides in the garden only when you identify a specific pest, a measure used to prevent environmental degradation resulting from the excessive and uncontrolled use of pesticides. Use pesticides that are environmentally friendly, with minimal impact on beneficial organisms to the environment
- Contract the services of a licensed, registered, and qualified lawn management service provider to routinely and regularly monitor your lawn. The lawn management service provider will also provide you with all the necessary information and advice on pest management that is specific to your location.
If you routinely and regularly follow the highlighted control and management measures, your lawn will be lively, clean and pest free.
Importance of lawn pest control and management
Taking good care of your lawn and riding, it of pests has numerous benefits not only to the environment but also for your peace of mind. Below are the benefits of riding your garden of pests;
- Keeps your home surroundings clean and tidy all season long
- The lawn vegetation and plants thrive, maintaining their natural color, giving your lawn a perfect outlook.
- Saves you on money in terms of expenses used when pests infest your lawn
- Your lawn will be safe and convenient to relax in without the fear and disturbance of pests
Conclusion
A clean, well-maintained lawn is a reflection of a properly managed home. Get rid of lawn pests by ensuring that you take good care of your garden. Ensure you have routine and regular checks, by a lawn management service provider to help you take good care of your lawn. Lawn pests can become a nuisance and cause damage to your yard, but with proper maintenance, your garden will remain to be pests free, safe, and clean.