Top South Florida Lawn Pests and How To Get Rid of Them

Your lawn is one of the first things anyone notices about your home, but in South Florida, it’s also an appealing target for pests that thrive in our warm, humid climate. Destructive lawn insects can cause real damage that’s tough to fix if left untreated, but Hulett’s here to step in before they do.

We’ll teach you how to get rid of lawn pests in Florida by understanding where they infest, how they operate, and the most effective ways to manage them.

With the right approach, you can keep your lawn healthy and beautiful year-round.

What Are the Most Common Lawn Pests in Florida?

It’s easy to think of lawn pests as one big category, lumping dozens of different insects together, but the threats to your lawn are diverse. Different pests inflict different types of damage, from killing grass at the roots to chewing through vegetable gardens.

Let’s introduce you to some of the main culprits and how to keep the most common South Florida lawn pests in check before they turn your yard into their home.

Root-Eating Florida Grass Insects

Mole crickets look like something out of a science fiction novel. Their tough, rounded head and large front legs make them excellent diggers, easily burrowing through soil and damaging turf as they tunnel. This behavior fractures root systems, leaving your lawn soft, uneven, and vulnerable to further stress or disease. Despite being burrowers, they can also fly, so they’re quite hard to contain once established in your lawn.

Think you have mole crickets? Here’s an easy at-home trick: pour a mixture of soapy water over the area of turf where you suspect they might be, so look for uneven or spongy patches. Wait a few minutes and watch for them to surface.

White grubs can be just as problematic. They’re beetle larvae, but don’t let their small size fool you. They’re incredibly hungry, and instead of going for the green blades, they feed on roots, killing grass from below.

Affected areas may look wilted or brown even with watering, and the sod may peel up easily. While they can cause damage quickly, regular inspections and treatments from Hulett can break their lifecycle before they have a major impact on your lawn’s health.

South Florida Lawn Pests That Target Gardens

Chinch bugs are some of the worst offenders when it comes to ruining lawns and gardens in South Florida. They’re not hard to find, just look for their distinct orange and black coloring and shield-shaped bodies, and that tough appearance is a clue to just how resilient they can be once they’ve taken hold.

Chinch bugs pierce grass blades and suck out the juices, leaving patches of yellowed, dying turf. St. Augustine grass, one of the most common types in Florida, is particularly vulnerable to chinch bug damage.

In gardens, they can cause this same damage to other low-lying plants and can be hard to eliminate without professional treatment.

Cutworms are another common lawn pest that loves to target gardens, and their damage can be catastrophic if left unchecked. These caterpillars hide during the day and feed at night, cutting through tender stems at ground level.

They’re especially damaging to seedlings and young plants. You might notice plants falling over as if snipped with scissors, or find the cutworms curled up in the soil nearby, and if you do, don’t hesitate to schedule a treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Pest Control in South Florida

How often should I schedule lawn bug treatments in Florida?

Florida’s warm, humid climate is a breeding ground for pests year-round. For most homes, our experts recommend lawn pest treatments at least every other month. However, monthly treatments provide the best protection, keeping your lawn healthy, green, and pest-free, especially in areas of Florida with high insect pressure.

However, the warmth, water, and food inside will draw more pests into your home. Indoor pest control may require more routine service depending on the level of activity and the time of year.

What other lawn pests does Hulett Environmental Services treat?

We treat a wide range of lawn pests throughout South Florida, including specialized treatments for fire ants, aphids, mealybug, scale, and whiteflies.

Do you also offer bird control?

Yes, we do. Our bird control services can help you manage nuisance bird populations humanely and effectively while protecting your property from droppings, nesting debris, and potential damage.

Schedule Lawn Pest Control Services With Hulett Environmental Services

When you want to give your lawn the best care possible, just call Hulett.

With over 50 years of success in South Florida pest control and thousands of satisfied homes, Hulett Environmental Services has the experience and knowledge to help you keep your grass green and vibrant all year long.

Contact us to schedule your lawn pest control inspection today!