Spring brings warm weather and blooming flowers, but it also wakes up pests that can damage your grass before you even notice. From tiny chinch bugs to destructive grubs, these insects can quickly turn a healthy yard into a patchy, brown eyesore.
To protect your lawn early, you need to know what you’re up against. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common spring lawn pests, how to identify them, and how to stop them before they spread.
Grubs
Also known as white grubs, these C-shaped insects have soft bodies and can severely damage your lawn. They are the immature form of beetles like Japanese beetles, June bugs, and masked chafers.
You can identify them by their rastral pattern, which is the arrangement of spines around their anal opening. They spend their time feeding on grass roots just beneath the soil surface, and that can severely damage your lawn’s foundation.
Signs of damage
- Wilted grass
- Spongy turf
- Small, irregular brown spots
- Dry, dying patches of grass
- Wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, and armadillos digging holes into the ground
- Large patches of grass lifting easily from the soil
How to control them
If you have 10 or more grubs per square foot, the infestation requires treatment. You can use these pesticides to bring them under control:
- Dylox (apply after soil temperatures reach 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Pesticides containing chlorantraniliprole (apply in April or May)
- Carbaryl (apply before early May)
- Trichlorfon (apply before early May)
You can also use natural methods like beneficial nematodes or milky spores to control grubs. They show results within one to three weeks, but they aren’t as effective in cooler climates.
How to prevent them
Keep your lawn healthy by fertilizing, aerating, dethatching, and mowing correctly. Avoid overwatering, as it creates an attractive environment for female beetles.
Read more:
- How to Get Rid of Grubs in Your Lawn
- How to Use Milky Spore for Grub Control
- How to Use Beneficial Nematodes for Pest Control
Chinch bugs
Chinch bugs are tiny, sap-loving insects that can cause costly damage to your lawn. They are less than ¼ inch long and have distinctive white wings on their backs.
These pests thrive in hot, sunny, and dry environments and typically gather near paved areas like sidewalks and driveways, where they suck sap from grass blades.
Signs of damage
Chinch bug damage can easily be confused with brown patch or drought damage. You can tell the difference by looking for additional signs and checking for the actual presence of chinch bugs:
- Dead grass
- Stunted growth
- Increased weeds
- Yellowing or wilting grass in sunny areas
How to control them
Chinch bugs are resistant to many common pesticides, but broad-spectrum products containing bifenthrin, trichlorfon, or carbaryl can be effective.
You can also use natural options like diatomaceous earth, insecticidal soap, and beneficial nematodes to control chinch bugs, especially in small infestations.
How to prevent them
Maintain regular lawn care and remove thatch as it accumulates, since it provides ideal hiding and egg-lying spots for chinch bugs. If possible, overseed with perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue, as these grasses are more resistant to chinch bugs.
Read more:
Armyworms
Armyworms earned their name because they travel in groups, damaging any vegetation in their path. These pests are 1-2 inches long and can wipe out your entire lawn in just a few days.
Signs of damage
- Brown patches in the grass
- Ragged grass blades that look chewed
- Short grass that creates bare spots in the lawn (scalped look)
- Holes in the lawn caused by skunks, raccoons, or opossums digging for the armyworms
How to control them
Use pesticides containing chlorantraniliprole, azadirachtin, or tebufenozide, and apply them at three key intervals: late April to early May, late June to early July, and late August to early September.
You can also use Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring soil bacterium, or introduce beneficial nematodes to your lawn.
How to prevent them
- Keep your lawn weed-free to discourage moths from laying eggs.
- Water your lawn with about 1 inch per week to keep your soil healthy and create cool, moist conditions that armyworms hate.
- Don’t let thatch build up more than half an inch, as this can turn into an ideal breeding ground for armyworms and other pests.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Armyworms
Billbugs
These are small weevils with long snouts that they use for feeding and laying eggs. The adults are brown or black and grow to about ½ inch long.
Adult billbugs cause some damage, but it’s the white grub larvae that really tear up the lawn by tunneling through the soil and chewing through grass roots.
Signs of damage
- Gradual yellowing and thinning of grass in large patches
- Wilting plants
- Chewed leaf margins
- Spongy grass and uneven surfaces
- Grass that lifts easily because of damaged roots
- White larvae found near the grass roots
How to control them
If you detect billbugs early, you can use natural predators like parasitic wasps, beetles, and nematodes to help keep them in check.
For severe infestations, use targeted insecticides containing bifenthrin or carbaryl. Rotate insecticides annually so billbugs don’t become resistant.
How to prevent them
Don’t skip basic lawn care tasks. Mow according to your grass type and keep it healthy with proper fertilizing, watering, and aeration. Stick to the recommended fertilizer rates. Too much nitrogen can attract billbugs like a magnet.
Read more:
Ants
Ants are a nuisance for homeowners across the country. They’re small, skinny insects with six legs and antennae.
Ants won’t damage your grass, but they can leave your yard covered in mounds of dirt that make lawn care chores challenging. They can also invade your home and bite you, your family, or your pets.
Fire ants are even worse because their bites are painful, making it unpleasant to walk around your own yard.
Signs of damage
Ants are very common, and you shouldn’t feel concerned about an anthill or two. However, you don’t want your yard covered with these mounds, so watch out for:
- Ants swarming around trash or food near your home
- Ants invading your home
- Multiple anthills across your backyard
How to control them
You don’t need chemical pesticides to fight back against ants. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, or boil some water with a touch of dish soap, then rake open the anthill and pour in the mixture.
You can also try flooding anthills with a hose for about 30 minutes and repeating the next day. Other organic options include white vinegar, diatomaceous earth, baking soda, and borax.
How to prevent them
- Keep your yard clear of food, trash, and debris, and cover your compost bin
- Seal windows and doors with caulk
- Spray ant-killer around your home’s foundation
- Place ant bait stations around your yard
Read more:
- How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Yard and Home
- How to Get Rid of Fire Ants in Your Yard
- Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Your Yard and Home
Sod webworms
Sod webworms are the larval stage of small, close-winged moths that are green or brown, have dark spots, and boast brown heads. They’re usually about an inch long and have cylindrical, smooth bodies.
These pests attack grass leaves and stems and emerge three times a year: May to June, July to August, and September.’
Signs of damage
Sod webworm damage can look a lot like drought stress or dormant grass. Common signs include:
- Brown patches of dead grass
- Shorter-than-usual grass
- Traces of silk webbing
- Small green pellets (webworm feces)
- Scalped grass
How to control them
The best way to get rid of sod webworms is by using nematodes along with natural enemies like predatory beetles and parasitic wasps.
Pesticides that target sod webworms are non-selective and kill beneficial insects too, so avoid them unless you find 15 or more sod webworms per square yard. In that case, choose an insecticide containing bifenthrin.
How to prevent them
Aerate your lawn periodically to improve soil structure and reduce thatch. Water deeply, but infrequently. Make sure not to overwater, as that can attract webworms.
Mow regularly at the proper height for your grass type, fertilize at the recommended rate, and rake deeply to disrupt silk webs.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Sod Webworms in Your Lawn
Cutworms
Cutworms are caterpillars that feed on grass by cutting through stems at or just below the soil surface. They attack everything from grass and ornamental plants to even vegetables.
These pests are smooth, soft-bodied, and range in colors from green to brown with distinctive markings. They feed at night and hide in the soil during the day.
Signs of damage
- Wilted grass that looks shorter, sometimes cut down to the base
- Small burrows appearing across your lawn
- Destroyed seedlings
- Grass stems severed close to the ground
How to control them
Start by removing cutworms by hand and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water. You can also use diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes, or Bacillus thuringiensis.
If the infestation is severe, use cutworm baits. Place them around your yard, especially near young plants, in the evening when the insects are active.
How to prevent them
Keep weeds under control because cutworm moths lay eggs on grass and weed blades. Mow regularly, dethatch annually, and aerate compacted soil.
If there are any dead plants in your yard, remove them. I also recommend installing a border of dry soil around your yard to prevent cutworms from reaching your grass.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Cutworms
Mole crickets
Mole crickets are unpleasant, winged bugs that dig tunnels under lawns. They have powerful front legs that help them burrow and a cylindrical body covered in fine hairs. Mole crickets are tan or brown in color and reach between 1-2 inches long in adulthood.
Since they’re nocturnal insects, they spend the day hiding in damp burrows.
Signs of damage
- Dehydrated grass
- Irregular patches of brown grass
- Root damage or rot
- Grass that can be pulled up easily from the ground
- Tunneling that creates long mounds of dirt across your lawn
How to control them
You can release beneficial nematodes to infect and kill mole crickets on contact. For severe infestations, use mole cricket baits or insecticides containing clothianidin, imidacloprid, bifenthrin, permethrin, or trichlorfon.
How to prevent them
Keep your lawn healthy, mow at the right height, and avoid overwatering so mole crickets don’t get attracted.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets
Aphids
Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects with soft bodies that develop wings in the adult stage. They range from 1/16 to ⅛ inches in length and can be green, red, yellow, gray, brown, or black. You can distinguish them by two “tailpipes,” or tail-like structures, at the end of the abdomen.
These pests primarily attack ornamental plants, shrubs, and fruit trees, but if the infestation is severe, they can spill over onto grass blades and suck sap, which stresses the turf.
Signs of damage
Aphids are extremely common, but large populations can wreak havoc on your landscape. You’ll know your yard is infested when you see these tiny bugs crawling on grass blades and on the stems and leaves of your plants.
Severe infestations result in:
- Brown patches on grass
- Stunted growth
- Sooty mold
- Dead plant shoots
- Curled or twisted leaves
How to control them
In most cases, you won’t have to worry about aphids unless the population gets out of control. If there are too many aphids, you can spray them with a hose and knock them into a bucket of soapy water. The water should knock them away easily since they’re not very strong.
If you still spot a lot of them, you can use insecticidal soap, neem, horticultural oil, or pyrethrins. Avoid using non-selective pesticides, so you don’t harm natural enemies like ladybugs, which feed on aphids.
How to prevent them
Aphids emerge in late spring when temperatures begin to warm up. Get rid of weeds, don’t overfertilize, and plant onions, garlic, and chives to naturally repel them.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Aphids
Spittlebugs
These bugs get their name from the foamy spit they excrete on plants. They’re sometimes called froghoppers because they can jump great distances. The spittle insulates spittlebug nymphs from extreme temperatures and protects them from predators.
Spittlebugs are related to aphids and are usually gray or brown. They feed on grasses and woody plants.
Signs of damage
Spittlebugs are very common and aren’t really a threat to your yard. In April and May, check your plants for spittlebug foam every two weeks. Look for:
- Frothy bubbles on your lawn or garden plants
- Sticky plant leaves and stems
- Yellowing, wilting, or spotting on grass and plants
How to control them
Spittlebugs don’t stay on one plant for long, so they cause very little damage. If they bother you, just remove them by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water, or spray them off your plants with a hose. You don’t need to use chemical pesticides.
How to prevent them
You can’t prevent spittlebugs completely, but you can keep them under control by maintaining a healthy lawn and removing weeds as they sprout.
Ticks
Ticks don’t feed on your grass, but they use it as a hiding spot while waiting to feed on your blood. They have tiny, flat, oval-shaped bodies and eight legs. After feeding, ticks can grow to as much as ½ inch.
These dangerous pests can spread Lyme disease, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, along with other illnesses that can cause long-term health issues.
Signs of damage
Because ticks are so tiny, you probably won’t notice them in your yard until you find one on yourself or your pet. Ticks tend to hide in tall grass, wooded areas, tall or dense bushes, piles of firewood, and plant debris.
If you regularly spend time outside, always check carefully under your arms, inside and behind your ears, the backs of your knees, and around your body hair.
How to control them
Ticks are nearly impossible to completely eradicate from your yard. You can try natural methods to keep them away, like sprinkling cedar oil or diluted eucalyptus oil around your yard.
If the infestation is severe, I recommend using a pesticide containing acaricide and following the instructions on the label for the best results.
How to prevent them
- Remove leaves, litter, and debris
- Mow your lawn regularly
- Store chopped wood in neat, dry stacks
- Remove tall grass
- Create a barrier between your yard and wooded areas or tall grass using gravel or wood chips
- Install a fence to keep out deer, stray dogs, raccoons, and other wildlife
- Install playgrounds, decks, and patios away from the edge of your yard
Read more: How Do You Prevent Ticks in Your Yard?
Protect your lawn from spring pests
Pests are every homeowner’s nightmare. Keep an eye on your lawn this spring and act fast when they show up.
Mowing at the right height, watering, and fertilizing with the right nutrients can help stop damage before it starts and let you enjoy a healthy, green yard all season long. If you don’t have the time or energy to care for your lawn, or want to simply leave it to the experts, Lawn Love has you covered.
Our pros can mow your lawn, aerate, fertilize, and remove weeds to keep pests away throughout spring and the months ahead.
Main Image: Aphids on flower. Photo Credit: Pixabay
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