How to Prevent Lawn Pests this Summer

Chinch bug found in Northern Utah - RentokilWe’ve talked to so many homeowners that have put weeks of hard work into improving their yards, only to have them overrun with pests come summertime. With the benefits of spring rain and the promise of summer warmth, all kinds of pests will soon become active in our yards. Fortunately for you, our team of residential exterminators has years of experience serving homes in Northern UT, and we have developed an exhaustive understanding of the kinds of pest problems that Utah homeowners deal with year after year.

Frequent Lawn Pests in Northern Utah

Many types of common lawn pests live right underneath the top layer of your soil, making it hard to be aware of an ongoing pest outbreak. Here are a few types of pests to keep watch for in your yard this summer:

  1. Grubs: Grubs are actually beetle larvae – they are laid in the soil as summer comes to a close. After remaining dormant through the winter, they make their way toward the surface in spring to eat grass roots, developing into their adult stages and continuing the reproductive cycle. They are particularly harmful to lawns, so it is very important to exterminate them before they take over yours.
  2. Chinch bugs: These insects love to infest lawns that are already below full health. They live at the surface of the lawn, draining sap from blades of grass. You notice that your lawn is turning a unique purple-tinged yellow, meaning that chinch bugs are present, draining the life from your lawn.
  3. Armyworms: Coming in a variety of colors, armyworms will spread themselves all across your yard, feeding on sap from your grass and various other plants. They are the larval stage of moths, and feed through the early summer until they are ready to develop into their adult stage.

How to Better Defend Your Lawn Against Pests

Lawn pests can easily remain hidden until they’ve taken a serious toll on your lawn. Many common pests will eat up the roots of your lawn until spots of yellow-brown grass appear across your yard. Once your lawn has reached this stage, it can be hard to fix without hiring a professional lawn care company. However, there are a few ways that you can prevent lawn deterioration on your own:

  • Mow routinely. Try to mow your lawn once a week.
  • Irrigate properly. Both overwatering and underwatering your lawn can create suitable environments for various different pests.
  • Fertilize as needed. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are the most versatile and effective approach to fertilization in Utah.

Professional Lawn Pest Control in Northern Utah

To make sure your yard stays pest free all summer long, your best bet is to work with a professional pest control company. At Rentokil, our lawn pest experts can implement a variety of lawn care and pest prevention strategies as needed to eliminate any pest activity in your yard. For a free estimate on lawn pest control services, contact us today!

How to Prevent Summer Lawn Pests

Grubs are a common summer lawn pest in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. Learn more from RentokilKeeping a lawn alive and healthy is hard enough. When you have a lawn pest problem, it can be even harder. Unfortunately, summertime in Utah is a haven for lawn pests, many of which hatch in the late summer and remain active through the fall months. Lawn insects can threaten the health of your roots, damaging existing turf and preventing new growth. A single insect can make a big impact, making it important to learn how to prevent summer lawn pests. The lawn experts at Rentokil are here to share their top tips for keeping lawn pests away for good.

Most Common Summer Lawn Pests

There are several pests that cause the biggest headaches for residents every summer. These include:

  1. Chinch bugs. These pesky insects cause iregula patches of brown in turf when they suck juice from your grass. They love the heat and attack areas in full-sun
  2. Caterpillars. Certain species feed on the actual blades of grass and can quickly eat away at large patched of grass entirely.
  3. Grubs. These immature beetles live under the soil and feed on grass roots. They typically hatch in the late summer.
  4. Fleas & ticks. Although these don’t damage your lawn, they will happily reside in areas in your yard during the summer, endangering your family and pets.

What Can You Do to Prevent Them?

Some of the signs that you have lawn pest damage is brown spots or dying patches. Even wilted blades and bite marks could be signs of a bigger lawn insect problem. To prevent full-blown infestations, it’s important to keep a close watch on your lawn during the summer. Damage can be done before you really notice it, making it essential to keep an eye out. As soon as you notice possible lawn pest activity, it’s best to contact a professional lawn care company. Trying to get rid of them on your own with pesticides can further damage your lawn.

Year-Round Lawn Insect Prevention

The team at Rentokil has a unique understanding of the summer lawn pests in our area. Because these insects can pose such a big threat to the health and longevity of your turf, it’s important to enlist our help to control any infestations as well as keep future pests away. Contact our lawn care experts today to learn more about how we can help prevent summer lawn pests.