Summary: Plants, trees, and lawns are starting to grow in the early spring sunshine, but that means pests are ready to go too! This blog describes the destructive habits of 5 Texas lawn pests: fire ants, chinch bugs, grubs, mole crickets, and armyworms. It ends with easy prevention tips for lawn pests. Romney Pest Control provides targeted solutions for frustrating lawn pests.
There are two truths of springtime in Texas:
- Grass, plants, and trees love the combination of warm sunlight and spring rains.
- Pest eggs start hatching and the next generation begins feeding.
The real trouble starts when these truths combine. Both the greenery and the pests thrive in the spring sunshine. Pests are starting to emerge from their overwintering shelters or hatch from their hardened eggshells, so we’re about to enter the busiest months for pest activity. One of the most impacted areas? Lawns!
Let’s dive into the destructive habits and diets of the 5 worst lawn pests in Texas — and our top prevention tactics.
Fire Ants
One of the most common pests in the state, fire ants are no stranger to lawns. These aggressive ants are reddish-brown and larger than most of our other ants. When their colony is disturbed, they deliver a “one-two punch” to their enemy. Fire ants first bite with their strong mandibles, then use their stinger to inject their toxic venom (solenopsin) into their victim! This venom causes anaphylaxis on rare occasions, so please seek medical attention if you’re stung.
In addition to their hostile demeanor, fire ants cause lasting problems for our lawns. Their nests are inside large dirt mounds in the lawn. Unlike other anthills, fire ant nests lack the typical entry hole in the center. The dirt mounds smother the grass and prevent it from getting the proper sunlight and nutrients it needs in order to grow. Plus, the underground tunnels created by the ants stress the lawn’s roots. The only solution to a fire ant infestation is to eliminate the whole colony, which is best done by professional pest control (more on this later).
Chinch Bugs
Considering the fact that chinch bugs are most active in hot and dry weather, it makes sense that they’re found in lawns across our state. All life stages of these bugs are found in the lawn right next to sidewalks or thresholds. This is because the grass that’s right next to a heat-absorbing surface is the warmest. Adult chinch bugs lay up to 500 eggs at a time, so an infestation can happen before you know it!
Chinch bugs are most destructive in their larval stage. The orange larvae drink the sap from individual grass blades, depriving the lawn of its vital juices. When chinch bug larvae continuously feed, the grass will develop yellow patches that eventually turn brown. Adult chinch bugs also use their piercing mouthparts to feed — but that’s not all. These lawn pests simultaneously inject a poison into the grass, which disrupts its vital food and water intake.
Grubs
Grubs bury themselves in soil to survive the winter, and they work up quite the appetite while they grow into their adult forms. June beetle and Japanese beetle larvae are the infamous white grubs we find in our lawns. The beetles lay their eggs in the summer so that the grubs can bury themselves in soil for winter and start feeding in the spring. The white grub is up to 1 inch long and keeps its body curled into a C-shape. You can find them if you look closely, but these lawn pests are difficult to notice until the damage is done.
White grubs target the grass roots because they can easily feed while they’re hiding within the soil. As grubs continue to feed on the roots, they effectively separate the lawn from the soil. This creates a brown patch in the impacted area. Damage from grubs is more difficult to manage because it’s in the roots of the lawn, rather than the actual blades of grass. Luckily for us, grubs have a mortal enemy that controls their population: birds!
Mole Crickets
Based on their name, what do you think mole crickets do? If you guessed “jump around like other crickets when they’re not digging in the soil,” you’d be right! These crickets look like hybrid cricket-lobsters (what a nightmare!) because of their large claws used for digging. Mole crickets are about an inch long and brown, so they blend in with the soil. These lawn pests emerge from their burrows to feed in the spring — and they’re coming soon.
As you might imagine, the fact that mole crickets have special claws is detrimental to our poor lawns. The tunnels they carve into the sandy soil makes any lawn vulnerable to drought and disease. Mole crickets eat grass roots and leaves, and they usually feed at night for additional protection. This also makes it difficult to prevent an infestation before the crickets start feeding. Once again, birds are our friends here for one reason: they love eating mole crickets!
Armyworms
Armyworms are named for their tendency to travel in a pack (or an army), which explains how they can ruin a lawn so quickly. These lawn pests are light brown to black in color, and they can be up to 2 inches long. Similar to mole crickets, armyworms feed at night to make it difficult to stop them before they damage the lawn. Their life cycles are completed more quickly in the summer since the heat gives them plenty of energy to grow.
Armyworms are basically moth larvae that hatch from small white eggs. They eat grass blades and leave behind tiny bite marks in each leaf. While this seems like unimportant activity, armyworms do weaken the lawn the longer that they feed. Though these caterpillars are quite destructive, their damage isn’t permanent. It often looks like drought. If your lawn starts looking like it’s drying out despite your watering schedule, look closely for these earth-toned caterpillars.
The Secrets To A Pest-Free Lawn
Did you know that it’s possible to prevent pests and maintain a healthy lawn all at the same time? It’s true! In fact, healthy lawns are more likely to stay pest-free since they aren’t weakened by drought or disease. And even if a healthy lawn is invaded by hungry lawn pests, it has a much better chance of coming back.
These are our top tips on keeping your grass free from persistent lawn pests:
- Use the right amount of water. When grass is overwatered or under-watered, it’s more vulnerable to pest invasions. Pests love an unhealthy lawn! Run your sprinkler system at least 3 times a week in the early mornings during the warmer months.
- Fertilize and aerate. In order to maintain a healthy lawn, you need to make sure that it’s getting enough nutrients. Apply fertilizer to the lawn in early spring and summer to help it grow. Aerate your lawn twice a year (ideally in spring and fall) to strengthen it.
- Trim surrounding plants. When you’re caring for the lawn, don’t neglect the plants surrounding it! Trim all plants and bushes to prevent them from becoming overgrown. Unruly plants are easy hiding spots for garden pests…
- Mow consistently. On the same note as the last tactic, keeping the lawn trimmed is an easy way to make sure it’s healthy and free from creepy-crawlies. Mow weekly in spring and summer — bi-weekly in early spring and fall — for the best results.
- See the signs. It’s always a great idea to keep an eye out for signs of pest activity, regardless of the season. The general signs of lawn pests are chewed blades of grass, brown patches, bald spots, premature yellowing, spongy soil, and an abundance of birds on the lawn.
- Schedule regular pest control services. The easiest way to protect your property from any pest problems — lawn pests included — is with regular pest control services. When a trained technician is on the scene, you can be sure that any hidden pests you have will be eliminated.
Go Where The Green Grass Grows With Romney!
A pest-filled yard is not our idea of a fun time, regardless of the season. That’s why the licensed technicians of Romney Pest Control are dedicated to protecting Texas homes from the most persistent pests. We target each area of pest activity with a customized combination of treatments that continue to prevent future invaders in between services.
Our top priority is always complete client satisfaction with our services. Our experienced team members are happy to address every question and concern you have throughout the process. We provide comprehensive pest control that not only eliminates current pests, but also prevents future invaders from causing the same issues. Contact us for a free quote on our residential services, and say goodbye to your pest worries!
Citations
Andrea. (2024, January 1). Texas lawn insects identification guide — Common bugs you should know about. The Grass Outlet. Available at https://thegrassoutlet.com/texas-lawn-insects-identification-guide-common-bugs-you-should-know-about/?srsltid=AfmBOoomI1WO2_ehu1x6sHm6KEUPJqPCE-4fenCpD-BmMpIVrLIZiKQ8 (Accessed on February 21, 2025).
Clark, R. (2024, July 26). 6 types of lawn-damaging pests in Texas. The Fertilizer Guy, LLC. Available at https://thefertilizerguy.com/6-types-of-lawn-damaging-pests-in-texas/ (Accessed on February 21, 2025).
Identifying common lawn pest. (n.d.). Higher Ground Lawn Care & Lighting. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://highergroundlm.com/lawn-pest-control-dallas-tx/identifying-common-lawn-pest/
