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| Common Lawn Concerns |
| 817-759-0102 |
| North Central Texas Landscape Southlake, Trophy Club, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Fort Worth |
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| GRUBS |
Grubs are the larval stage of various beetles. Most are C-shaped
and feed on the roots of various plants. Grub heads are brown;
their hind end is a dark gray color and covered with hairs (used
for identification).
Lawn grubs are usually one of three types -- annual white (from
June beetles), true, and aetenius. The annual white types typically
cause the most problems.
Annual white grubs emerge as adults in late June, depending on
weather conditions. Eggs are laid in moist soil, near sidewalks or
driveways or under night lights around the fourth of July. Eggs
hatch during the first week or so in August. Grubs feed on grass
roots.
Large, dead patches in late summer may be an indication of
grubs. Only inspection under the dead turf can indicate grub
presence. Control may be necessary if twelve to fourteen grubs
per square foot are found in an actively growing lawn. If the lawn
is dormant or less than active or dormant, fewer grubs may be
needed to cause noticeable injury to the turf.
Dead grass killed by grubs comes up "like carpet" if pulled.
Effective control can only be accomplished if treated early in their
development cycle (usually late July to August). Once the grubs
become full size (early spring) it’s usually too late to control them.
Grubs frequent the best looking lawns, which tend to be more
suitable for egg laying.
and feed on the roots of various plants. Grub heads are brown;
their hind end is a dark gray color and covered with hairs (used
for identification).
Lawn grubs are usually one of three types -- annual white (from
June beetles), true, and aetenius. The annual white types typically
cause the most problems.
Annual white grubs emerge as adults in late June, depending on
weather conditions. Eggs are laid in moist soil, near sidewalks or
driveways or under night lights around the fourth of July. Eggs
hatch during the first week or so in August. Grubs feed on grass
roots.
Large, dead patches in late summer may be an indication of
grubs. Only inspection under the dead turf can indicate grub
presence. Control may be necessary if twelve to fourteen grubs
per square foot are found in an actively growing lawn. If the lawn
is dormant or less than active or dormant, fewer grubs may be
needed to cause noticeable injury to the turf.
Dead grass killed by grubs comes up "like carpet" if pulled.
Effective control can only be accomplished if treated early in their
development cycle (usually late July to August). Once the grubs
become full size (early spring) it’s usually too late to control them.
Grubs frequent the best looking lawns, which tend to be more
suitable for egg laying.
| Mole Crickets |
Damage Symptoms:
Mole crickets tunnel through soil like their mammal counterpart.
This tunneling breaks up the soil around turf roots and the
turfgrass often dies due to desiccation. The tunneling trails are
themselves considered unsightly and interfere with ball roll on golf
course greens. During mating and overwintering, the adults often
push up mounds of soil around their permanent burrows. At this
time, the adults are not feeding extensively enough to kill large
patches of turf. Severe damage occurs in the summer months
when the nymphs are actively feeding on the turfgrass roots.
Heavy infestations during this period may result in large dead
patches and exposed soil. St. Augustinegrass does not show as
severe a response to mole crickets, possibly because of its
different growth habit
Mole crickets tunnel through soil like their mammal counterpart.
This tunneling breaks up the soil around turf roots and the
turfgrass often dies due to desiccation. The tunneling trails are
themselves considered unsightly and interfere with ball roll on golf
course greens. During mating and overwintering, the adults often
push up mounds of soil around their permanent burrows. At this
time, the adults are not feeding extensively enough to kill large
patches of turf. Severe damage occurs in the summer months
when the nymphs are actively feeding on the turfgrass roots.
Heavy infestations during this period may result in large dead
patches and exposed soil. St. Augustinegrass does not show as
severe a response to mole crickets, possibly because of its
different growth habit
Fire Ants can be identified by their reddish color and small size
(1/8 to 1/4 inch long). Most people identify them from their fiery
sting that will result in a small bump or pustule on the skin. They
will rapidly swarm the mound if it is disturbed in an effort to
protect their queen.
Fire Ants infest many different areas. They can be found
anywhere where there's an abundance of food which includes
other insects, oil from seeds, meats, grease, or similar food
sources. They liquefy the food and return it to the colony to feed
their young and the queen. They go in search of food when
temperatures reach 70 or more and can journey up to 100' from
their nest.
Fire Ants cause other problems besides a nasty sting. Mounds
that can reach more than 3. Nests built near a home may invade
the home in search of food.
Controlling Fire Ants is often a larger task than most homeowners
can handle. This is especially true with extensive infestations.
Worker ants build a complex of underground tunnels. If the mound
is disturbed, they move the queen to another location and set up
a new nest.
(1/8 to 1/4 inch long). Most people identify them from their fiery
sting that will result in a small bump or pustule on the skin. They
will rapidly swarm the mound if it is disturbed in an effort to
protect their queen.
Fire Ants infest many different areas. They can be found
anywhere where there's an abundance of food which includes
other insects, oil from seeds, meats, grease, or similar food
sources. They liquefy the food and return it to the colony to feed
their young and the queen. They go in search of food when
temperatures reach 70 or more and can journey up to 100' from
their nest.
Fire Ants cause other problems besides a nasty sting. Mounds
that can reach more than 3. Nests built near a home may invade
the home in search of food.
Controlling Fire Ants is often a larger task than most homeowners
can handle. This is especially true with extensive infestations.
Worker ants build a complex of underground tunnels. If the mound
is disturbed, they move the queen to another location and set up
a new nest.
| Fire Ants |
Whitish, "C"-shaped grubs
can be a serious lawn pest.
can be a serious lawn pest.
Adult beetles, such as this
Japanese beetle, lay eggs that
hatch into white grubs.
Japanese beetle, lay eggs that
hatch into white grubs.
Check the root zone of the
edges of browning areas for
the presence of white grubs.
edges of browning areas for
the presence of white grubs.
