Now that the weather is cooling off, your lawn should be bouncing back slightly from summer’s harsh heat and drought-like conditions. If there are still dead patches of grass around your yard, it could be a sign of a larger problem—like pests. Learn what common fall lawn pests could be killing your grass and what to do about it.

Common Fall Lawn Pests

Some pests are more prevalent at certain times of the year. Fall’s cooling temperatures and increased rainfall creates ideal conditions for more lawn invaders, including:

• Grubs. If you noticed Japanese beetles around your lawn over the summer, chances are they were laying their eggs in the soil after they decimated your garden. Grubs are small, white beetle larvae that feed on grass roots and cause dead patches to crop up across your yard. They travel deep into the soil over the winter and come back in the spring to feed again.
• Chinch Bugs. If your grass is still brown and hasn’t bounced back after periods of rain or watering, it could be due to this white and black or reddish-brown beetle-like bug.
• Billbugs. If you have Kentucky bluegrass in your lawn, you’re more likely to also have these pests. Your lawn may look thinner and more thirsty than usual. But if you also see small, white grubs in the soil it could be the bug larvae feeding on your grass roots.

Some of the most common signs of any lawn pest include:

• Discolored patches
• Root damage
• Thinning grass

As soon as you notice these signs in your lawn or see the bugs themselves, act fast to get control of the problem and prevent further damage.

Preventing and Treating Pest Damage

Whether you’ve already dealt with a common lawn pest or you want to prevent it altogether, your first line of defense is the type of grass you choose. Since fall is a great time to overseed your lawn, consider incorporating a type of grass that’s more resistant to pests.

Healthy lawns are strong enough to recover from some pest damage. Revive your grass this season with proper fertilizing and watering practices. It takes longer for your lawn to recover from an invasive pest, which is why it’s important to act as early as possible to rid your lawn of bugs and help restore it to its lush, green appearance.

When it comes to pest treatment, not all options are effective. It takes expert timing to target the pest when it’s most vulnerable. Otherwise, your money, time, and effort could be wasted and your grass could suffer even more.

One of the easiest ways to deal with lawn pests is to contact Cardinal Lawns for help. Not only can we help diagnose the issue, treat the problem, and prevent future infestations, but we can also help get your grass back into healthy shape. Call 614-808-4446 for a consultation and to start a pest treatment plan today.