Most people are aware that pests can cause damage to your household, but did you know that they can cause serious harm to your lawn, too? In Australia, there are various different types of lawn pests that feed on your grass and cause it to become dry, damaged or dead.
The good news is that you can stop these bugs from wreaking havoc on your garden by understanding what to look out for and how to treat the problem. We’ve put together this short guide to lawn pests to help you keep pests away from your beautiful lawn…
Common types of lawn pests
In Australia, there are a few common types of pests you need to look out for:
- Wire worms live in the soil and cause damage to root systems.
- Ants build nests that can disturb your lawn’s surface and overall health.
- Couch grass mites can wreak havoc on couch grasses in particular.
- Two spotted mites usually appear in the summer months and leave a webbed appearance on the lawn.
- Mole crickets live deep in the soil and feed on the roots of your grass.
Identifying which type of pest is living in your lawn is important as it will help you to determine the right approach to extermination.
How these pests can affect your lawn
If left untreated, lawn pests can seriously damage not only the appearance of your grass, but the health of your entire lawn system. While the potential damage will vary depending on the specific type of pest you have, some of the most common issues are:
- Dead and dying patches of grass.
- Damage to your lawn’s underground root system.
- Spongey patches of grass on your lawn.
- Patches of grass lifting up due to pests eating the root system.
- Bites and itchiness can be caused when bugs come into contact with skin.
How to spot lawn pests
By now, you’re probably wanting to know how you can identify a lawn that is under attack. Understanding how to spot these nasty critters is the first step towards catching the problem early and treating it before it becomes a much bigger issue.
Here are some common symptoms of lawn pests:
- Birds foraging on your lawn: If birds are visiting your grass every now and then, there’s no need to be worried. But if you find they are constantly pecking at your lawn and causing disruption, it could be a sign that they are trying to reach bugs underneath.
- Raised mounds of soil on your lawn will indicate that you have an infestation of ants. This can also be identified if you find that you are getting itchy bites on your skin when walking on your grass barefoot.
- Brown, dead patches of grass can indicate that there is an underlying problem. Many bugs damage root systems and cause that area of the lawn to stop growing.
What you can do to get your lawn healthy again
If your lawn has been affected by pests, it’s important that you treat it as soon as possible. Pesticides are usually the most effective way to do this, but it’s important to do your research first. Different pests will require different types of treatments to completely eradicate. It’s also necessary to understand how long you should stay away from your lawn once the pesticides are used, and if any special care should be taken afterwards to get your grass healthy again. Remember you can always contact the friendly team at Jim’s for your gardening services!
