Common Summer Lawn Pests and How to Control Them

Summer brings long days, sunshine, and… lawn pests. As temperatures rise, insects become more active—feeding on your grass roots, blades, and soil.

If you notice brown patches, thinning grass, or strange movement on your lawn, you may have an infestation. The key is early detection and treatment before the damage spreads.

At Anointed Lawn Care, we provide targeted pest control treatments to protect lawns from destructive insects while keeping your yard safe for people and pets. Here are the most common summer lawn pests and how to stop them.

1. Grubs – The Hidden Root Eaters

Grubs are the larvae of beetles, and they’re one of the most destructive summer pests. They feed on grassroots, causing large patches of grass to wilt, turn brown, and lift easily like a carpet.

Signs of grub damage:

• Spongy or loose turf
• Irregular brown patches
• Birds or raccoons digging in your yard

Solution:
Anointed Lawn Care’s grub control treatments are timed precisely when grubs are most active, stopping them before they mature and reproduce.

2. Chinch Bugs – The Heat Lovers

Chinch bugs thrive in dry, sunny areas during summer. They suck sap from grass blades, injecting toxins that cause yellow or brown spots.

Signs of chinch bugs:

• Patches that look drought-stressed
• Grass that turns yellow despite watering
• Insects visible at the soil surface

Solution:
Regular insect control applications combined with proper watering prevent chinch bugs from spreading. Early detection is key to saving your lawn.

3. Armyworms – The Quick Destroyers

Armyworms can devastate a lawn in days. These caterpillars move in groups, feeding aggressively on grass blades, especially during warm, humid weather.

Signs of armyworms:

• Circular brown patches that spread quickly
• Ragged, chewed grass blades
• Increased moth activity in the evening

Solution:
Targeted insect control treatments stop armyworms fast, preventing widespread turf damage. We monitor your lawn throughout summer to ensure lasting protection.

4. Fire Ants – The Painful Invaders

Fire ants are aggressive pests that not only damage lawns but also pose safety risks to pets and children. They build large mounds and attack anything that disturbs them.

Signs of fire ants:

• Large soil mounds appearing overnight
• Painful stings after walking on the lawn

Solution:
Anointed Lawn Care’s fire ant control service eliminates colonies at the source—providing long-lasting protection from these stinging pests.

5. Sod Webworms – The Silent Feeders

These small larvae chew on grass blades at night, leaving behind ragged patches. During the day, they hide in silky tunnels near the soil surface.

Signs of sod webworms:

• Chewed or scalped grass
• Small green pellets (their droppings) on the soil
• Brown patches that appear overnight

Solution:
We use eco-friendly insect control methods to remove sod webworms while protecting beneficial insects that support healthy soil.

6. Mole Crickets – The Underground Tunnelers

Mole crickets burrow through soil, feeding on roots and creating tunnels that dry out the turf. They’re especially active in sandy soils during warm months.

Signs of mole crickets:

• Spongy ground or visible tunnels
• Grass that feels loose or lifted
• Thinning or yellowing turf

Solution:
Our mole cricket control treatments target both adults and larvae, ensuring full life-cycle control and long-term prevention.

7. Fleas and Ticks – The Hidden Hazards

Even if you don’t see them, fleas and ticks can hide in tall grass and shaded areas. They can bite pets and humans, carrying diseases.

Signs of flea or tick problems:

• Pets scratching excessively
• Tiny black dots on socks or shoes after walking on grass

Solution:
Anointed Lawn Care’s flea and tick control program eliminates pests at all stages of life, keeping your yard safe and enjoyable.

8. How to Prevent Lawn Pest Infestations

Prevention is just as important as treatment. To reduce pest activity:

• Keep your lawn mowed to the right height
• Water deeply but infrequently
• Avoid over-fertilizing (which attracts insects)
• Schedule routine pest inspections during warm months

Healthy, well-maintained grass naturally resists pest invasions.

9. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Instead of relying on harsh chemicals, we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—a science-based approach that balances prevention, monitoring, and targeted treatment.

This ensures effective pest control with minimal environmental impact, keeping your lawn and family safe.

10. Professional Pest Control Is Worth It

While DIY sprays may provide temporary relief, professional treatments deliver lasting protection. Our licensed technicians identify pest types, monitor their life cycles, and apply treatments at the exact time they’re most vulnerable.

With Anointed Lawn Care’s seasonal pest control plan, your lawn stays pest-free from spring through fall.

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