Common Lawn Pests in Florida and How to Control Them

The Hidden Threat to Your Florida Lawn

Your Central Florida lawn faces enemies you might never see—until the damage is done. Lawn pests cause more problems here than almost anywhere else in the country, thanks to our warm, humid climate that these insects love.

At Proverbs Landscape, we treat pest problems year-round for homeowners in Saint Cloud, Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Nona, and Apopka. Here's what you need to know about identifying and controlling the most common lawn pests.

1. Chinch Bugs: The #1 St. Augustine Killer

If you have St. Augustine grass (and most Central Florida homes do), chinch bugs are your biggest threat.

Identification

• Adult size: 1/6 inch, black body with white wings
• Where to look: At the edge of damaged areas, in the thatch layer
• Test method: Push a bottomless coffee can into the soil at the edge of a brown patch, fill with water, and watch for bugs floating up

Damage Signs

• Irregular yellow patches that turn brown
• Damage spreads outward from original spot
• Most active in hot, sunny areas
• Peak damage: June through September

Why Chinch Bugs Are So Destructive

These tiny insects pierce grass blades and suck out the fluids while injecting a toxin that blocks water movement. The grass literally dies of thirst even when watered.

Control Strategies

Prevention:

• Don't over-fertilize (lush growth attracts chinch bugs)
• Maintain proper mowing height
• Dethatch if thatch exceeds 1/2 inch
• Water deeply but infrequently

Treatment:

• Apply bifenthrin or other labeled insecticide
• Treat the entire lawn, not just damaged areas
• May need repeat application in 2-4 weeks
• Best applied in late afternoon when bugs are active

Pro Tip: Brown patches from chinch bugs won't recover—you'll need to re-sod damaged areas after treatment.

2. Sod Webworms (Tropical Sod Webworm)

Sod webworms are the larvae of lawn moths and can devastate lawns seemingly overnight.

Identification

• Larvae: Gray-green caterpillars, up to 1 inch long
• Adult moths: Tan/gray, about 3/4 inch, seen flying over lawn at dusk
• Where to look: In the thatch layer, active at night

Damage Signs

• Grass blades appear chewed, with ragged edges
• Small brown patches that expand rapidly
• Green "frass" (droppings) visible in damaged areas
• Moths flying up when you walk across lawn at twilight

Why They're Problematic

A single sod webworm can consume entire grass blades in one night. Large infestations can destroy a lawn in a week during peak summer months.

Control Strategies

Prevention:

• Keep lawn healthy and properly maintained
• Monitor for moths in summer evenings
• Birds feeding on lawn may indicate larvae presence

Treatment:

• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for organic control
• Synthetic insecticides like carbaryl or bifenthrin
• Apply in late afternoon (larvae feed at night)
• Water lightly before treatment to bring larvae to surface

3. Grubs (White Grubs)

Grubs are the larval stage of various beetles, including June bugs and masked chafers.

Identification

• Appearance: C-shaped white larvae with brown heads
• Size: 1/4 to 1 inch depending on species
• Where to look: 1-3 inches below soil surface

Damage Signs

• Spongy areas of lawn that feel loose underfoot
• Grass pulls up easily (grubs eat roots)
• Animals (armadillos, raccoons, birds) digging in lawn
• Irregular brown patches in late summer/fall

Why They're Destructive

Grubs feed on grass roots, severing the plant from its water and nutrient source. Severe infestations can allow you to roll up turf like carpet.

Control Strategies

Prevention:

• Apply preventive grub control in May-June
• Imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole products
• Healthy lawns can tolerate some grub activity

Treatment (for active infestations):

• Carbaryl or trichlorfon for quick knockdown
• Apply and water in immediately
• Best results in early fall when grubs are young

Threshold: Treatment is warranted when you find more than 5-10 grubs per square foot.

4. Mole Crickets

These bizarre-looking insects are major pests in sandy Central Florida soils.

Identification

• Appearance: 1-2 inch cricket-like insects with shovel-shaped front legs
• Sound: Chirping at night, especially after rain
• Where to look: Underground tunnels, surface at night

Damage Signs

• Raised tunnels visible in lawn
• Brown, dying patches
• Spongy, soft areas
• Most damage in spring and fall

Why They're Problematic

Mole crickets tunnel through soil, severing grass roots and creating air pockets that dry out root zones. They also feed directly on roots and grass stems.

Control Strategies

Prevention:

• Apply preventive treatment in late spring
• Beneficial nematodes (Steinernema scapterisci)
• Monitor for tunneling activity

Treatment:

• Bait products applied in evening
• Water lightly before application
• Most effective against nymphs (spring)

5. Fire Ants

While not directly damaging to grass, fire ants make lawns unusable and can kill young plants.

Identification

• Mounds: Dome-shaped, 6-24 inches across
• Ants: Reddish-brown, multiple sizes in colony
• Location: Sunny areas, often near sidewalks or driveways

Problems Caused

• Painful stings (dangerous for allergic individuals)
• Mounds kill grass beneath them
• Damage irrigation systems
• Attack wildlife and pets

Control Strategies

• Individual mound treatment: Drench or bait
• Broadcast bait: Treats entire yard for 3-6 months
• Two-step method: Broadcast bait + individual mound treatment

Integrated Pest Management Approach

We recommend an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach:

1. Prevention First

• Maintain proper lawn health
• Correct mowing and watering
• Don't over-fertilize
• Dethatch when needed

2. Monitor Regularly

• Walk your lawn weekly
• Look for early warning signs
• Know what's normal for your lawn

3. Identify Before Treating

• Proper identification saves money
• Different pests need different treatments
• Misidentification wastes time and chemicals

4. Targeted Treatment

• Treat only when necessary
• Use least-toxic effective option
• Follow label directions exactly

When to Call a Professional

DIY pest control can work for minor problems, but call a professional when:

• Damage is spreading rapidly
• You're unsure what pest you're dealing with
• Previous treatments haven't worked
• Infestation covers large areas
• You want ongoing prevention

Our Pest Control Services

At Proverbs Landscape, we offer:

• Pest identification: We'll tell you exactly what's causing damage
• Targeted treatment: The right product at the right time
• Prevention programs: Quarterly treatments that prevent most problems
• Integrated with lawn care: Healthy lawns resist pests better

Don't Let Pests Destroy Your Lawn

Early detection and proper treatment can save your lawn from serious damage. If you're seeing brown patches, unusual insect activity, or animals digging in your yard, don't wait—the problem will only get worse.

Contact Proverbs Landscape at (904) 749-9658 or request a free estimate.

We serve homeowners throughout Saint Cloud, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Apopka with professional pest control and lawn care services.