Summer in Plano lets people enjoy some sunshine and host backyard barbecues. This season provides residents with plenty of time outdoors. Unfortunately, summer also attracts a variety of pests that thrive in lawns and gardens. These invaders can damage grass, harm plants, and make outdoor activities less enjoyable. That is why homeowners must be aware of what to look for. This can save them money, time, and stress.
Also, homeowners dealing with stubborn lawn pests can partner with Romney Pest Control. The company provides comprehensive pest management, including solutions for lawn-damaging insects. They use effective treatments tailored to each property’s needs. The company may deal with the following lawn pests whenever they get calls from concerned homeowners in Plano:
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs feed on grass blades by piercing them and sucking out the juices. They leave behind yellow or brown patches. Their damage often looks like drought stress. They can cause grass to wilt despite proper watering.
Grubs
White grubs in Plano are the larval stage of June beetles or Japanese beetles. They live beneath the soil, where they chew on grass roots and weaken the turf. The grass above grub infestations often lifts up like a carpet because the roots no longer hold it in place. The presence of birds, skunks, and armadillos digging up your yard can also be a sign of grubs feeding underground. Severe infestations can kill large areas of turf and create unsightly patches.
Fire Ants
Plano fire ants are notorious for their painful stings. They form large, unsightly mounds in lawns. They can be aggressive when disturbed. Their tunnels disrupt soil structure and make mowing difficult.
Sod Webworms
Sod webworms are moth larvae that feed on grass blades, leaving behind chewed edges and brown patches. Damage usually shows up during the warmer months, when larvae are most active. They emerge to feed at night, so spotting them can be difficult. They can make grass look chewed up.
Armyworms
Plano armyworms are destructive caterpillars that feed on grass blades. They move across lawns in groups, stripping away foliage quickly. Their feeding can leave lawns bare within days. Armyworms often appear after heavy rains. Their rapid damage can overwhelm homeowners who are unprepared. Plano yards with lush, well-watered grass are especially attractive to these pests.
Billbugs
Billbugs are weevils whose larvae burrow inside grass stems and roots. Their feeding causes grass to turn brown and die back. Many homeowners confuse billbug infestations with drought stress or fungal issues because the damage starts inside the plant. Over time, the lawn develops scattered dead spots that expand if the pests remain untreated.
Cutworms
Cutworms hide during the day and feed at night, slicing off grass blades near the soil line. Their feeding leaves lawns with irregular patches of dead or thinning turf. They hide under thatch or soil, so spotting them during the day is difficult.
Mole Crickets
Mole crickets tunnel beneath the soil, uprooting grass and drying out the roots. Their burrows also make soil uneven and difficult to walk on. The combination of tunneling and feeding weakens turf. This makes lawns more vulnerable to drought and disease. Signs of infestation include spongy ground and thin patches of grass.
Fleas and Ticks
Lawns with shaded or overgrown areas can attract fleas and ticks. These pests can also affect your pets and family. Fleas cause discomfort and allergic reactions in pets. Ticks carry diseases that threaten people and animals. Infestations often start in shady, moist areas of the yard but can spread rapidly if left unchecked. A well-maintained lawn helps reduce the risk, but professional control is often necessary for long-term relief.