Learning Center

When Are Lawn Pests No Longer a Problem?

 Or Do You Always Need to Treat?

With the weather getting colder, all living things start to prepare for winter. Grass growth slows, trees go dormant, and some animals get ready to hibernate. But are lawn pests still a problem? Learn what some of the most common insects are up to this time of year. Then determine if you still need to treat your lawn to prevent a pest problem in the spring.

Common Lawn Pest Problems

Like many living things, most pests prefer mild conditions. This is why they’re more active in the spring and summer. Once the temperature falls, many pests either die off or go dormant deep beneath the soil. Here are how some are affected by the season:

Grubs
  • Grubs spend winter burrowed in the soil, but they stop feeding on grass roots by late fall.
  • Armyworms and sod webworms slow down once evening temperatures drop below 60°F, but they may be back by spring.
  • Billbug larvae go dormant in the cold and remain inactive until the soil warms up again.
  • Mole crickets also go dormant during cold winters and burrow deeper into the soil to survive the frost.
  • Ants burrow deeper and are inactive in the cold.
  • Ticks go dormant or hide in leaf litter until the weather warms up.
  • Chinch bugs thrive in the heat, so they’re unlikely to survive freezing temperatures.

So while many pests become inactive in the winter, that doesn’t always mean they’re gone for good. If you want to prevent pests from coming back with the warmer weather, you have a limited window to act.

When to Stop Treating for Pests

Like pests, control products may not work as well in the winter. Whether you use a liquid or granular treatment, it needs to be absorbed by the soil to reach the pests burrowed down below. It’s not getting very far once the ground freezes.

Target any control applications before the first frost. You can pick up the preventative program again in the spring, but you may be wasting time and money by using anything outdoors in the winter. Plus, any chemicals used are more likely to get washed away and may even contaminate your water supply. It’s best to work before late fall or wait until spring. It’s even better to contact a professional for assistance.

The Cardinal Lawns Pest-Free Program includes several applications of our specialized perimeter pest-control treatment to help reduce the number of the insects around your yard, so they don’t end up entering your home this season. Call 614-808-4446 to learn more or to schedule a treatment. Then you can rest easy this winter knowing your property is protected.