Figuring out what causes pests in lawn is a top priority for most homeowners. It is most likely because outdoor pests could mess up the appearance of your lawn, particularly destroying the leaves and grassroots.
Actually, lawn pests are normal to be found in lawns, since it’s outdoors. However, if these pests start to increase in population, and become a constant nuisance to your law, it is time to make a move.
Yet, if you don’t know what kind of pest you have on your lawn, treating it can be challenging. In connection to that, the question of “do I need to get rid of all insects in my lawn” is frequently asked.
As a homeowner, you must have the basic knowledge on how to treat lawn pests, especially if you want to save your finances, and refrain from hiring professionals. Hence, you may still call for a licensed pest control operator to handle the job if pests become persistent and too much to handle.
Common Pests Found In Lawn
While the essentials of lawn care are managed, there is an aspect of lawn care that is difficult to manage — the pest’s infiltration. There are several lawn pests that invade your lawn and they could not just be found on the grass, but some live underground.
Here are the common pests that you may find in your lawn:
- Armyworms – This type of worm is a grass-eating pest that wreaks havoc on lawns in a large number. Thus, the presence of brown patches is frequently the initial sign of an armyworm infestation.
- Ants – Generally, there is nothing to worry about the health risk associated with ants. However, a colony of ants in your lawn could be considered a nuisance, especially for children, where lawns are their playing ground.
- Lawn grubs – This kind of pest is commonly called June beetle grubs, chafer grubs, Japanese beetle grubs, or white grubs. Despite being called in different names, one thing that is common is that grubs feed on organic soil materials and grasses, causing lawn grass to die in patches.
- Leatherjackets – Commonly referred to as larvae of crane flies or daddy-long-legs, leatherjackets feed on grassroots lawn grasses. These pests are commonly active during early spring or in late winter, causing the decay of roots and yellowish lawn facade.
- Mole crickets – These are a type of subsurface pest that causes visible damage to turf by tunneling the ground, causing lawn grass disruption and root damage. In order to effectively eliminate mole crickets, keep an eye out for emerging pests in the spring and treat your lawn before any damage occurs.
- Mosquitoes – This annoying pest is usually found in shady spots of your yard and breeds in stagnant water, causing it to increase in population. Since mosquitoes thrive in shady areas, getting rid of spots like tall grasses and brushy areas could control mosquito problems.
- Snails and slugs – These are common garden pests that plague lawns, linked with damaged leaves and slimy trails. This is because slug and snails prefer lawns that are frequently irrigated or watered.
- Digging mammals – A variety of mammals can wreak havoc on your lawn, tagging it as a demolisher of garden grounds. Though digging for food is a natural behavior, digging mammals like moles, chipmunks, skunks, or groundhogs, there’s still a need to control their infestation.
Reasons Why Pest Infiltrates Lawn
Pests are indeed annoying as they can cause damage to your lawn, but have you ever wondered what causes it?
The amount of water your lawn takes, would determine its physical condition. Ideally, watering should neither be less nor excessive, thus enough water is recommended.
A lawn that is short or over watered may cause lawn grasses to become unhealthy and this would attract pests. With that, you should allow the sprinkler to run gently so that the water sinks rather than running off.
Subsequently, unwanted debris around your lawn can attract pests. It can be some sort of rubbish, piled woods, and even tall grasses, which are ideal hiding spots for various pests.
However, pest infiltration is sometimes driven by time and climate, wherein pests become active at certain times of the year. Likewise, climate is the reason why pests swell.
Experts believed that the lack of beneficial insects allows pests to thrive on the lawn. They have identified damsel bugs, ground beetles, lacewings, tachinid flies, and minute pirate bugs as best defenses against damaging ones.
Finally, the lack of knowledge of homeowners on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) could be the main reason why pests continue to cause harm to humans and damage properties.
Conclusion
Aside from knowing what causes pests in the lawn, it is equally important to know “what is the manual method in controlling pests in lawn”. Yet, seeking professional advice from a licensed exterminator would solve the problem easily.
Further, proper lawn management must be understood by homeowners as likewise crucial like indoor or outdoor pest control. After all, a well-maintained lawn adds to the ambiance of your house, while promoting a green environment.