Protecting your lawn from pests can be overwhelming, especially if you’re looking at all pests from all over the country that can threaten your lawn. The good news is, if you’re a Utah resident you don’t need to combat against every pest imaginable. There are specific pests that call Utah home which can wreak havoc on your lawn. And those are the pests you need to watch out for! If you’re noticing dead spots or have spots of unhealthy grass, it’s a good idea to brush up on the most common lawn pests in Utah. Then get to work getting rid of them!
Grubs
One of the pests native to Utah that can cause problems with your lawn is the grub. How will you know if it’s grubs? You’ll have dead spots in your lawn. Now, this may just be caused by a sprinkler system that misses a few spots of grass. How will you tell if it’s a sprinkler issue or grubs? Here’s is a simple test you can do. Put a small can or something in the middle of the dead spot to catch water. Let your sprinklers run like normal. If your can has water in it (about ¼ inch for every 15 minutes of watering) you’ll know it’s grubs. Grubs are larvae that eat and destroy the roots of your lawn. This is what causes the brown spots! If left untreated, grubs can cause problems for your entire lawn.
Billbug
Another Utah pest you should look out for is the billbug. Like the grub, they eat the roots of your grass blades, but they also eat the stems and leaves of the grass blades. The larvae feed on the roots, whereas the adult beetles eat the stems and leaves. Adults are about ⅕ to ¾ inch long, and you will find them burrowed in the surface of the soil.
Chinch Bug
If you notice your blades of grass appear shredded and damaged, you can bet the chinch bug is to blame. The like to eat the crown and lower part of the parts of the blade of grass. As they suck and pierce the blades, they prevent your lawn from being able to properly transfer water within each blade of grass. Chinch bugs like to live in thatch and the damage they cause can look similar to a lawn that’s not getting enough water. If you’re watering your lawn, or even over-watering, to no avail, check for chinch bugs.
Need a Resolution?
There are plenty of lawn care resolutions for plant based pests. For the plant based pests listed above you have two options. First, you can spray a pesticide solution. second you can lay down an organic fungus. The organic fungus will not work as immediate as the pesticides will. The fungus, once it sets in, will be longer lasting and act as a preventive treatment. It’s also non toxic for kids and animals alike.
If you find yourself with lawn issues that don’t seem to be resolved no matter how much watering or fertilizing you do, it’s time to call in a pest control professional to get the issue under control. In some cases, when left untreated you could lose your entire lawn! My All Green not only specializes in lawn care but also in pest control. When it comes to the health of your lawn there is no one better suited to help you achieve a lush, vibrant lawn.