Common Pest Problems in Summerfield
Keeping a watchful eye on your lawn could save it from a number of common lawn diseases and pests. You just need to learn how to spot the signs.
Mole Crickets
Mole crickets typically feed on other insects, but as they tunnel under your grass in search of food, they can cause a lot of damage. Each night a single mole cricket can tunnel as much as twenty feet. It disturbs the roots of grasses and other plants, which can cause them to dry out and die, giving you the impression that something else is wrong. Adult mole crickets are about an inch and a half long with large front claws used for digging, which is how these disturbing-looking creatures get their name. A few are not a problem, but when you start noticing damage to your lawn, it’s best to call us so we can determine the cause.
Fire Ants
Fire ants have been a staple of Florida for nearly a century. Ever since they migrated here from South America, they have been terrorizing Florida residents with their short tempers and burning stings. Fire ants are not be ignored. Their colonies can swell to the millions in a single acre, creating a hazardous situation if you have children or pets. A large fire ant population can also put a strain on your grass from the feeding that occurs below and the smothering with dirt above.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are extremely tiny insects that are naked to the untrained eye. They tend to feed on the blades of St. Augustine grass but have been known to feed on other types of grass as well. They live in the thatch beneath your lawn and get their nourishment by sucking water and nutrients from the grass. When their numbers are too high, you’ll start to see your grass turn a yellowish-red color and grow bigger as the insects move outwards. Most damage occurs from March through November in southern Florida and from April through October in northern Florida.