How To Deal With Pests And Bugs On Your Lawn

You mightn’t want to believe it’s true, but it’s happening: your beautiful lawn is being attacked by bugs and pests.  All your effort, your hard work, the hours of TLC you’ve given that grass… and it’s being chewed up by something!
It’s easy to see that something is wreaking havoc with your lawn, but it’s not always easy to determine exactly who or what is the uninvited guest.  Lawn pests come in many shapes and forms and could be lurking either above or below ground.  Six legs, four or two… your enemy might be insects, birds or mammals.  Whatever the case, they’re doing damage and you’ve got to stop them!

Birds

While we love and maybe even encourage birds to visit our gardens, there’s no doubt they can do damage to your lawn.  Their sharp beaks can dig up the turf and make a real mess. However, they are generally in search of bugs, so if you are noticing large numbers of birds feeding on and digging up your lawn, this is most likely a good indication that you have another enemy at work underground.  You probably need to go a little deeper to get to the source of the problem…

Lawn Grubs (Beetle larvae)

Root feeding grubs, such as white curl grub, cockchafer larvae or scarab beetle larvae, can have devastating effects on your lawn.  And because they’re at work eating the root system below the surface, they can do a lot of damage in a short time.  The beetles lay their eggs in spring and early summer, then the grubs begin their assault in late spring/early summer as they emerge.  It’s important that you spray your lawn with an insecticide spray as soon as you notice any damage. By spraying while the grubs are in the larvae stage,  you should prevent the lifecycle from happening again in your lawn.  However, if you are dealing with a heavy infestation, a repeat of treatment may be necessary.

Surface Dwelling Grubs

Sodworm, Armyworm, and Cutworm… they’re all surface dwellers that feed on the actual leaves of the grass.  They mostly feed at night, so they may be easier to identify with an evening or nighttime inspection.  You may also notice small greyish/brown moths flying around just above the turf in the evening: these are the adult moths looking for the best place to lay their eggs!  The eggs hatch within a short period of 2 – 5 days and then the worms are at work destroying your grass…

There are several different sprays available to treat surface dwelling grubs.  Speak to the team at Rivers Edge Turf and ask for advice on which one is best for your area and type of grass.

Rabbits

This pest is an easy one to see, and although they might be all very cute, wild bunnies can do serious amounts of damage in a short time.  One of the most obvious and effective ways to control rabbits is to erect a fence.  Choose a style that will enhance the aesthetic appearance of your yard, and you’ll kill two birds with one stone, so to speak: stop the rabbits and provide yourself with that extra level of security and curbside appeal.

Ultrasonic devices can also prove effective when it comes to sending these pests hopping!  Also, repellents are available and can be applied to lawns to prevent them from feeding on your precious grass.

There’s no time to waste when it comes to identifying and getting rid of lawn pests.  Contact the team at Rivers Edge Turf today on 02 4579 9009 and get expert advice on the best way to treat your lawn.