- 11 of the most common fall lawn pests<\/a>
- Grubs<\/a><\/li>
- Chinch bugs<\/a><\/li>
- Armyworms<\/a><\/li>
- Cutworms<\/a><\/li>
- Sod webworms<\/a><\/li>
- Billbugs<\/a><\/li>
- Leatherjackets<\/a><\/li>
- Mole crickets<\/a><\/li>
- Ants<\/a><\/li>
- Fleas<\/a><\/li>
- Ticks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQs about common fall lawn pests<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
11 of the most common fall lawn pests<\/span><\/h2>
Grubs<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Japanese](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_lawnlove-japanese-beetle-lifecycle-illustration-v2.png\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> White lawn grubs are the larvae of several scarab beetle species, including Japanese beetles<\/a> and European chafers. The beetle larvae look like C-shaped tiny worms with three pairs of legs. They have 1 to 2-inch long milky white bodies with a distinctive brown or tan head. <\/p>
Adult beetles lay eggs in the soil, and then the larvae, or grubs, hatch and feed on the roots of your grass. The tops wither and die once the roots are severed from the blades. <\/p>
Signs you have grubs<\/span><\/h4>
- Irregularly shaped yellow patches or areas of brown dead turf<\/li>
- Thinning grass<\/li>
- Spongy material around grass roots<\/li>
- Turf lifts or peels back from the soil easily<\/li>
- Signs of drought stress even when the grass is well-watered<\/li>
- Increased thatch layer<\/li>
- Lots of beetles in your lawn in late summer<\/li>
- Animals like moles, skunks, and crows digging in your lawn<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of grubs<\/span><\/h4>
You should treat a grub infestation<\/a> if your lawn has five or more grubs per square foot. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Beneficial nematodes like Steinernema<\/em> spp. and Heterorhabditis<\/em> spp. will kill grubs. If you have Japanese beetle grubs, you can also treat them using milky spore<\/a>, a bacterium that comes in powder or granular form.<\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Pesticides containing carbaryl or trichlorfon are effective for killing grubs. You can apply them yourself to your lawn, but always be careful when working with chemicals and follow the instructions on the package. <\/p>
Chinch bugs<\/span><\/h3>
![\"hairy](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hairy-chinch-bug.jpg\")
Christina Butler from Georgia<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Chinch bugs are true bugs<\/a> that infect lawns across much of the United States. The three most common types are the hairy chinch bug, southern chinch bug, and common chinch bug.<\/p>
- The hairy chinch bug is found in the northern and northeastern United States.<\/li>
- The southern chinch bug is found in the southern United States, from southern North Carolina to the Florida Keys and west to central Oklahoma, California, and Hawaii.<\/li>
- The common chinch bug is found from South Dakota to Virginia and south to a line running from mid-Texas to mid-Georgia.<\/li> <\/ul>
Chinch bugs are about one-sixth of an inch long when full-grown with a grayish-black coloring on their bodies and white and black wings. They secrete a substance that clogs the grass\u2019s vascular tissue when they feed, blocking water from reaching the leaves.<\/p>
Signs you have chinch bugs<\/span><\/h4>
Chinch bug damage typically occurs during hot, dry weather. The signs often resemble drought stress symptoms.<\/p>
- Irregular yellow grass patches that grow larger and turn brown<\/li>
- Wilting grass<\/li>
- Purplish grass<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of chinch bugs<\/span><\/h4>
Once you\u2019ve confirmed that a chinch bug infestation is what\u2019s killing your lawn, here\u2019s how to treat<\/a> it. <\/p>
Natural solution:<\/strong> Diatomaceous earth (DE) dehydrates and kills all chinch bugs it contacts. It remains in the turf after you apply it, also killing future larvae.<\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Many broad-spectrum insecticides<\/a> work on chinch bugs. Look for pesticides with trichlorfon, bifenthrin, or carbaryl. You can apply them yourself, but always follow label instructions. <\/p>
Armyworms<\/span><\/h3>
![\"armyworm](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_30337904383_349905aa73_c.jpg\")
Judy Gallagher<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Several species of armyworms kill lawns across the United States. They get their name because they move in masses like armies to destroy lawns and crops.<\/p>
In their larval stage (the stage your lawn needs to worry about), armyworm caterpillars are about 1.5 to 2 inches long. They have red, brown, yellow, or green stripes going down their bodies. Larvae can also be distinguished by a dark band<\/a> on the outer side of their five fleshy prolegs<\/a>.<\/p>
Armyworm larvae feed on Kentucky bluegrass<\/a>, tall fescue<\/a>, ryegrass<\/a>, and Bermudagrass<\/a>, stripping away leaf tissue. <\/p>
Signs you have armyworms<\/span><\/h4>
- Tips of grass blades appear transparent<\/li>
- Brown spots amidst otherwise green and healthy grass<\/li>
- Completely bare spots<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of armyworms <\/span><\/h4>
Here are a few effective treatments for armyworms<\/a>. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Release beneficial nematodes into the soil to feed on eggs, pupae, and larvae. Bacillus thuringiensis<\/em><\/a> is a natural bacterium that kills armyworms, too. <\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Many targeted insecticides, including halofenozide, kill caterpillars (including armyworms) without harming beneficial insects or other animals. <\/p>
Cutworms<\/span><\/h3>
![\"brown](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_9604906420_79104161af_c.jpg\")
Sarah Zukoff<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Cutworms are the larvae of several types of brown or tan moths. The larval caterpillars are up to 2 inches long, mostly gray or brown, with other colored stripes or spots. <\/p>
Most moth species lay their eggs<\/a> on the grass stems, while some lay them on bare ground. After hatching, the caterpillars feed on the stems of turfgrass and other plants right at the soil surface, cutting the plant off at the ground. <\/p>
Signs you have cutworms <\/span><\/h4>
These are some common symptoms of a cutworm infestation:<\/p>
- Small pockmarks dotting the lawn thatch (the cutworms\u2019 burrows)<\/li>
- 1-inch to 2-inch brown patches with even edges<\/li>
- Grass sheared down to the base<\/li>
- Wilted grass<\/li>
- The grass may feel spongy<\/li>
- Birds like magpies and are pecking at your lawn<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of cutworms<\/span><\/h4>
If you find cutworms, here are some methods for removing them. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Diatomaceous earth (DE) kills cutworms when they contact it on the soil. You can also release the Steinernema carpocapsae <\/em>nematode or the Bacillus thuringiensis <\/em>bacterium.<\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Apply pesticides to the affected area in the late afternoon or evening, as close as possible to their active time. Check the label before buying a pesticide to ensure it\u2019s effective against cutworms, and follow the label’s application directions. <\/p>
Sod webworms<\/span><\/h3>
![\"sod](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_15178008571_1ce4c65dbc_c.jpg\")
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Sod webworms are another one of the most common lawn pests, and like the ones mentioned before, the larval stage is the most problematic. The larvae eat grass leaves and stems at night<\/a>, and severe infestations can seriously damage turf.<\/p>
The larvae are less than an inch long during their feeding stage. Their bodies range from brown to green, with dark spots and a brown head. They build silken tunnels in late fall to overwinter. The adults are dull-colored moths (Crambus<\/em> and Parapediasia<\/em> species) frequently called \u201clawn months.\u201d<\/p>
Signs you have sod webworms <\/span><\/h4>
- Irregular brown grass patches that gradually grow larger<\/li>
- Silk webbing and tiny green fecal pellets in the thatch layer or top inch of soil<\/li>
- Grass scalped down to the base<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of sod webworms<\/span><\/h4>
If you find 15 or more sod webworms in one 3-square-foot section, your yard needs immediate treatment<\/a>.<\/p>
Natural solutions: <\/strong>Several species of parasitic nematodes, such as Steinernema<\/em>, will feed on sod webworms. Some formulations of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis<\/em> can also kill sod webworm larvae. <\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Only resort to pesticides for extreme infestations. Apply broad-spectrum pesticides in the evening when pests are active. Mow the lawn and remove thatch before application to make sure the chemicals reach the soil, where the larvae burrow. <\/p>
Billbugs<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_11212516326_88f0fbbc48_c.jpg\")
Fyn Kynd<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Billbugs feed on lawns in their larval stage. Billbug larvae have cream-colored bodies with brown heads and are about \u00bc-\u00bd of an inch long at maturity, depending on the species. They look very similar to white grubs but without legs.<\/p>
While the most noticeable damage from billbugs usually occurs in June or July when it\u2019s hot and dry, they can sometimes feed well into fall. Most species only have a single generation each year, although in rare cases, a second partial generation occurs during prolonged seasons.<\/p>
Signs you have billbugs<\/span><\/h4>
The following symptoms can be evidence of billbugs:<\/p>
- Hollow stems<\/li>
- Sawdust-like debris in the lawn<\/li>
- Patches of fading grass that eventually turn brown and die<\/li>
- Grass easily breaks away from the crown when you pull on it<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of billbugs<\/span><\/h4>
Here are some methods for treating a billbug infestation<\/a>. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Beneficial nematodes such as Steinernema carpocapsae<\/em>, Steinernema feltiae<\/em>, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora<\/em> will prey on billbug larvae. A fungal organism called Beauveria bassiana<\/em> can help control billbug populations. <\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Many broad-spectrum pesticides kill billbugs on contact. Systemic insecticides (especially those with imidacloprid) are also effective. Grass absorbs the chemical through its roots, and the billbugs die when they eat the grass. <\/p>
Leatherjackets<\/span><\/h3>
![\"leatherjacket](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_23964577681_9e97a1e029_c.jpg\")
Simon<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Crane fly larvae, called leatherjackets, feed on grass roots, crowns, and leaves. Leatherjackets resemble large, gray, legless maggots and grow 1 to 1.5 inches long. They thrive in rainy fall conditions, so they\u2019re very common in the Pacific Northwest. <\/p>
Signs you have leatherjackets <\/span><\/h4>
Common signs of a leatherjacket infestation in your lawn include:<\/p>
- Thinning grass<\/li>
- The grass is easy to pull out of the ground<\/li>
- Patches of yellowish-brown or straw-colored grass<\/li>
- Large areas of dead grass or bare soil<\/li>
- Predators like birds, skunks, and raccoons digging for food in the affected area <\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of leatherjackets<\/span><\/h4>
Before applying control treatments, look for visual confirmation of leatherjackets. Cut up 1 square foot of turf in the affected area and check for the larvae in the soil underneath. <\/p>
Your lawn needs treatment if you find 25 or more leatherjackets in one sample section. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Water the affected area thoroughly, cover it with black plastic, and leave it overnight. Leatherjackets will attach to the plastic, and you\u2019ll remove them when you slowly pull up the plastic the following day. <\/p>
You can also use the beneficial nematode Steinememe feltiae<\/em>. The nematode will infect leatherjackets with bacteria and kill them. <\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> In November, apply a pesticide containing bifenthrin or carbaryl to kill leatherjacket larvae at their second instar level (an intermediate development phase). <\/p>
Mole crickets<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_mole-cricket-1260757_1280.jpg\")
Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Mole crickets are a unique cricket family of crickets that significantly damage lawns. They dig tunnels underground, which can cause root rot and dehydration in your grass. They also eat grass roots and leaves. <\/p>
Depending on the species, adult mole crickets are about 1 to 2 inches long. They have folded wings and modified, long front legs designed for digging and tunneling through the soil. They\u2019re usually brown or gray, but the color and pattern vary by species. <\/p>
Note: The northern (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) mole cricket found throughout the eastern U.S. is native and <\/em>not considered a pest<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>
Signs you have mole crickets<\/span><\/h4>
- Long, thin mounds of soil extending across the lawn (caused by tunneling)<\/li>
- Grass easily detaches from its roots, and the soil<\/li>
- Patches of brown grass<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of mole crickets<\/span><\/h4>
If you have a mole cricket infestation, here\u2019s what you can do to eliminate them<\/a>. <\/p>
Natural solution:<\/strong> The only natural method<\/a> to control a mole cricket population is using nematodes such as Steinernema scapterisci<\/em> and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora<\/em>. They infect and eventually kill any mole crickets they come in contact with. <\/p>
Chemical solutions:<\/strong> Mole cricket baits are especially effective during spring and fall. The most effective insecticides contain the chemicals imidacloprid, clothianidin, trichlorfon, lambda or gamma cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, zeta cypermethrin, or permethrin. <\/p>
Ants<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_black-ants.jpg\")
Rakeshkdogra<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Ants won\u2019t damage your lawn (aside from building unsightly anthills) as the previous pests will, but their painful bites can be a nuisance to your family and your pets year-round \u2014 especially if you have fire ants<\/a>. <\/p>
Signs you have ants<\/span><\/h4>
- Several anthills all over your yard<\/li>
- Ants getting into your home <\/li>
- Tons of ants swarming every time you drop food outside<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of ants<\/span><\/h4>
Ants don\u2019t typically emerge from underground when the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, so treat them when it\u2019s cooler. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Rake open the anthill to expose the inside of the nest and as many ants as possible. Pour boiling water with a touch of liquid soap or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water over the anthill and ants. <\/p>
Both boiling water and vinegar can kill plants, so they might damage your lawn. An alternative is to soak the ant nest with water from the hose for about 30 minutes. Repeat after 24 hours, as ants can sometimes survive underwater for 24 hours. <\/p>
Chemical solutions:<\/strong> Apply broadcast bait when ants are actively foraging in the mornings and evenings when it\u2019s cooler. When using bait, make sure the ground is dry and no rain is forecasted for 24 hours.<\/p>
Another option is pesticides that kill ants on contact. They are less effective than bait, though, because they only kill the ants they touch. <\/p>
Need help with ant control? Reach out to <\/em>the professionals<\/em><\/a> for help.<\/em><\/p>
Fleas<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1024px-flea.jpg\")
Erturac<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> These wingless, flat-bodied, dark brown insects can be active in your lawn year-round, and they\u2019re always itching to latch onto you or your pet and use you as a host. <\/p>
Fleas prefer temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so it\u2019s important not to skimp on your pet\u2019s flea medication just because summer is over! <\/p>
Signs you have fleas<\/span><\/h4>
These signs could mean there are fleas on your lawn:<\/p>
- Your pet excessively scratching, especially just after going outside<\/li>
- Small red bites in rows of three or four on your ankles and lower legs<\/li>
- Tiny black dots (flea dirt) on flat surfaces inside or outside your home<\/li> <\/ul>
How to get rid of fleas<\/span><\/h4>
Here are some ways you can squash a flea infestation<\/a> in your lawn. <\/p>
Natural solutions:<\/strong> Spread diatomaceous earth (DE) all around your lawn and concentrate heavily on areas where your pet spends most of its time. Apply DE again after rain or watering your yard, as it isn\u2019t effective when wet. Beneficial nematodes work on fleas, too. <\/p>
Chemical solution:<\/strong> Spray your lawn with an insecticide containing pyrethrin to kill adult fleas and another containing an insect growth regulator for the larvae and eggs. Keep your pets out of the yard until the pesticides dry entirely. <\/p>
Ticks<\/span><\/h3>
![\"4](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_7209178448_44faa728e5_c.jpg\")
Fairfax County<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Like fleas, ticks can be active all year. You\u2019ll usually encounter them in woodlands or other bushy areas, but they can infest your lawn, too. They are small and wingless, with roundish bodies and eight legs. <\/p>
Ticks are parasitic and can bite you or your pets at any stage of their life cycle after they hatch, not just when they\u2019re adults. Instead of flying or jumping, ticks climb bushes or tall grasses to reach and latch onto hosts. <\/p>
Signs you have ticks <\/span><\/h4>
- Chinch bugs<\/a><\/li>
- Grubs<\/a><\/li>