Common Insects That Damage Lawns and How to Control Them

You water regularly, fertilize on schedule, and mow consistently—yet your lawn still looks patchy, yellow, or thin. The problem may not be the weather—it might be insects feeding on your grass from below or above the surface.

Lawn-damaging pests can destroy even the healthiest turf in just weeks if left untreated. Knowing how to identify and control these insects is key to protecting your investment and keeping your lawn green and vibrant.

1. Grubs: The Silent Root Destroyers

What they are: Grubs are the larvae of beetles like June bugs or Japanese beetles.

Damage signs:

• Soft, spongy soil when walking across your lawn
• Grass that lifts easily like carpet
• Brown patches despite watering

Why they’re harmful:
Grubs feed on grass roots, causing large dead spots that spread quickly.

How to control them:
Anointed Lawn Care’s grub control treatments target grubs during their most vulnerable stages—before they mature—preventing future infestations and root damage.

2. Chinch Bugs: The Summer Invaders

What they are: Tiny black and white insects that suck sap from grass blades.

Damage signs:

• Yellow patches that resemble drought stress
• Damage concentrated in sunny, dry areas
• Gradual spread of dead patches

Why they’re harmful:
Chinch bugs inject toxins as they feed, killing grass tissue and leaving unsightly patches that don’t recover easily.

How to control them:
Professional insect control treatments eliminate chinch bugs at all life stages while promoting recovery through fertilization and soil improvement.

3. Armyworms: The Rapid Destroyers

What they are: Caterpillars that move in “armies,” devouring blades of grass as they travel.

Damage signs:

• Ragged or chewed grass blades
• Rapid browning within days
• Heavy infestations after rain or during warm weather

Why they’re harmful:
Armyworms can destroy entire lawns overnight, especially in late summer.

How to control them:
Anointed Lawn Care applies targeted insecticide treatments that stop feeding activity immediately and protect regrowth through integrated pest management strategies.

4. Fire Ants: The Aggressive Colonizers

What they are: Reddish ants that build dome-shaped mounds and deliver painful stings.

Damage signs:

• Mounds throughout your lawn
• Discolored grass around nests
• Painful stings to pets or people

Why they’re harmful:
Fire ants pose safety risks and disrupt lawn health by disturbing soil structure.

How to control them:
Professional fire ant control targets colonies at the source, including the queen, ensuring long-term elimination and preventing future mound formation.

5. Sod Webworms: The Hidden Feeders

What they are: Small moth larvae that feed on grass blades at night.

Damage signs:

• Thin, bare spots that expand quickly
• Silky webs or tunnels near the soil surface
• Increased moth activity at dusk

Why they’re harmful:
They eat grass down to the crown, leaving thin, unhealthy turf that struggles to regrow.

How to control them:
Night-feeding pests require precise timing—Anointed Lawn Care applies eco-conscious insect control products that target larvae while protecting beneficial insects.

6. Mole Crickets: The Underground Wreckers

What they are: Burrowing insects that feed on roots and tunnel beneath turf.

Damage signs:

• Raised soil ridges
• Loose turf
• Thinning or dying grass in irregular shapes

Why they’re harmful:
Their tunneling destroys root systems and disrupts soil stability, leading to widespread turf decline.

How to control them:
Our mole cricket control services use specialized treatments that eliminate active pests and prevent re-infestation during breeding seasons.

7. Preventing Lawn Insect Damage

The best pest control is prevention. Here’s how to keep your lawn insect-free:
✅ Maintain proper fertilization to strengthen turf.
✅ Water deeply but infrequently to discourage pests.
✅ Mow regularly and avoid scalping.
✅ Schedule routine inspections and treatments.

Anointed Lawn Care’s insect management program combines prevention, monitoring, and seasonal applications to protect your lawn from every angle.

8. Why Professional Treatment Works Best

Store-bought insecticides can harm beneficial bugs or fail to reach deep soil pests. Professional services ensure:

• Correct identification of pest species
• Safe and targeted treatment methods
• Environmentally responsible product use
• Long-term protection and monitoring

With expert timing and local experience, Anointed Lawn Care ensures your yard stays pest-free and full of life.