Common Lawn Insect Problems

Over the years, insects have gotten a bad rap and it seems like whenever we see one of these little guys we run for a can of bug spray and try to kill everything that moves in the lawn.

Some insects can do substantial damage to a lawn, but unless you see that type of problem, it is better to let Mother Nature run the show.

Green Machine Lawn Care has the training and knowledge to identify specific insects that can damage a lawn. Only then do we apply treatments to control these harmful insects. We can also apply special controls to reduce fleas and ticks in the lawn to help protect your family and pets from these disease carrying insects.

Grubs

Grubs are the larval stage of many different beetles, including the Japanese beetle, especially in Eastern Pennsylvania. The grub lives below ground and feeds on the roots of tender grass plants that soon kills the plant. They are most destructive mid to late summer, but the damage they cause may not show up until early fall and by then, it's too late.

The best time to control grubs is in early summer, just after they hatch. At this time they are very susceptible to treatment and just before they start causing extensive damage to your lawn. Our grub proof treatment will control grubs in your lawn before they can damage your valuable lawn.

Sod Webworms

Sod Webworms can be a problem for some homeowners in eastern Pennsylvania. If lots of sod webworm moths are observed in the evening, watch for damage in about 10 to 14 days. This is when their eggs begin to hatch into caterpillars. These caterpillars chew off the grass blades close to the soil surface leaving brown stubble as damage. Early August is typically when we see the heaviest damage, although sometimes damage is also heavy in June. If sod webworms are present in your lawn we will treat for them.

Ticks

Pennsylvania has had some severe outbreaks of tick infestations. Several kinds of ticks infest lawns. They drop on the grass from dogs, rodents (includng squirrels) and even some birds. Most ticks will attach themselves to people and pets if given the opportunity. Pain main result from their bites. Some ticks transmit diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease and tularemia. Even though ticks won't cause any damage to the lawn, it is important that if you have heavy tick infestations in your area that steps be taken to control them.