Common Lawn Pests in Florida and How to Control Them

It’s no secret that everyone loves a healthy, good-lookin’ lawn. From waving seas of pristine grass to vibrant floral displays, Tampa Bay is full of gorgeous landscapes that provide homeowners and property managers alike with plenty of inspiration.

Making your lawn look fantastic takes a lot of hard work, which is why Florida lawn pests are such a frustrating challenge. There are loads of pests that want nothing more than to get their hands (or antennae) on your lovely lawn.

From grass-eating bugs to lawn-destroying insects, pests can cause extensive damage that is not only unsightly but also quite costly to repair. The news goes from bad to worse–unless you know exactly what type of pest problem you have, it will only get worse (even if you take steps to fix it).

If you’re ready to learn about the creepy, crawly pests tormenting your landscape, you’ve come to the right place. The first step is learning how to identify lawn pests; the next step is knowing how to get rid of insects in your lawn!

Lawn Pests in Florida
The Most Common Bugs That Kill Grass in Florida

Billbugs

You might know these pesky little guys by their proper name. Black Beetles, also known as Weevils, typically affect Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass, but that doesn’t mean they’re picky. If you find that your grass is wilting in an area that’s getting plenty of water, then you’re probably dealing with an infestation of Billbugs eating the roots of your grass.

White Grubs

Also known as Scarab Beetle larvae, these troublesome Florida lawn pests are one of the many bugs eating grass you’ll find in Tampa Bay. They like to feed on the roots of all types of turfgrass, making them quite destructive.

White grubs live just below the soil, where they hatch and rest while munching on your lawn. They only grow ½ inch to 2 inches long, but don’t let these tiny fellas fool you; they are credited with being the most common bugs that kill grass in Florida.

If you have a Florida landscape, you’ll definitely be dealing with these nuisances at some point, so it’s important to recognize the signs, including large areas of dead turf and yellowish coloring in your lawn.

Chinch Bugs

If you have St. Augustine Grass in Florida, then you undoubtedly will deal with southern chinch bugs. These tiny little bugs are typically reddish-orange when they’re small, but turn all-black as they grow. While they may be small (only growing to be about 3/16 of an inch), they’re a big problem.

You can often tell you have a cinch bug problem when your grass follows a sequence: it will turn yellow, then a burnt-reddish color, and then it will die off in large patches. You’ll likely deal with cinch bugs between the beginning of April and the conclusion of October.

Cutworms

Sometimes called armyworms or grass loopers, cutworms are a nasty lawn pest in Florida. There’s no real off-season for these Florida lawn insects, so it’s vital to learn how to identify them so you can address them quickly.

Typically, cutworms will dig and burrow in the ground during the day, then emerge at night to chew off grass shoots and munch on blades. They’re the definition of grass-eating bugs, and they can wreak havoc on your lawn.

The best way to tell if you’re dealing with cutworms is to check for circular spots of dead or depressed grass—almost like a golf ball mark on a golf green. Unless you’re using your lawn as a putting green, these signs are one of the best ways to identify these lawn-destroying insects.

Spittlebugs

These turfgrass-loving pests will attack almost any kind of lawn, but they’re especially fond of centipede grass (the most susceptible type). Unfortunately, these pests don’t stop there. They also love ornament plants and are known for chewing up hollies.

Spittlebugs are active during the morning or evening hours, and they’ll hide right under the soil during the hottest parts of the day. They generally prefer the shadier areas of your lawn or landscape. If you notice grass wilting, the tips turning yellow and then brown, and curling blades, you’re more than likely dealing with a spittlebug problem.

Fire Ants

These pesky bugs do a lot more than just hurt when they bite our ankles; they also cause significant damage to lawns and landscapes. Fire ants will nest anywhere they can find shade, like in your lawn, under the sidewalk, beneath patios, and in the wedges of concrete. They are truly a nightmare of a Florida lawn pest.

Fire ants are pretty easy to spot, and the way they damage your lawn is obvious. By creating large colonies that destroy the roots of your grass, fire ants disrupt the ground with their hills and kill (or deeply harm) sections of your lawn.

How to Get Rid of Lawn Pests in Florida

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disheartened by the innumerable pests out there waiting to destroy the beautiful lawn you’ve worked so hard for, you’re not alone. We didn’t share these lawn-destroying insects with you to bum you out, though.

Instead, we want you to know how to identify lawn pests and then choose the right lawn treatment for insects that are causing chaos. In other words, you’re in the right place if you want to know how to get rid of lawn pests.

The truth is that different bugs that kill grass in Florida require different approaches to treatment. One-size-fits-all bug spray simply doesn’t cut it; in fact, it can sometimes make the problem worse.

A professional touch ensures that the Florida lawn pests that are tearing your landscaping apart are identified correctly and eliminated efficiently. When you reach out to the experts at Landcrafters, you can rest assured that your lawn is in good hands and will be healthier than ever in no time.

Feel free to contact us via our website, by phone, or by scheduling a consultation by clicking below. We would love to discuss your Tampa Bay property, evaluate the pesky pests you’re dealing with, and help your landscape reach its full potential free of pests.