Many Texas homeowners face a frustrating problem: lawn pests. These unwanted visitors can turn a lush, green lawn into a patchy, brown mess in just weeks. If you’ve noticed odd spots or damage on your lawn, you’re not alone. This guide covers the most common Texas lawn pests, how to spot them, and why professional control methods work better than DIY approaches.
What Bugs Are Destroying My Lawn in Texas?
Texas lawns face unique challenges due to our hot climate. The most destructive pests include:
- Chinch bugs – Common in St. Augustine lawns across Dallas suburbs
- White grubs – Particularly problematic in Plano’s eastern neighborhoods
- Fire ants – Found throughout Texas, especially in newer developments
- Sod webworms – Increasingly common in Collin County
- Armyworms – Can destroy entire lawns in days, especially after heavy rains
- Mole crickets – Problematic in sandy soil areas
Different neighborhoods in Plano experience varying pest problems. Western Plano areas like Willow Bend and Preston Meadow typically report more chinch bug and webworm issues, while eastern neighborhoods like Murphy and Wylie see more fire ant and grub activity.
Texas Lawn Pests: The Usual Suspects
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs thrive during hot, dry summer weather. They feed mainly on Zoysia, Bermuda, or St. Augustine grass. A female can lay up to 500 eggs. After hatching, the larvae spread across the lawn, sucking sap from the grass and causing yellow spots that later turn brown.
Where do they live:
- Often settle near paths, sidewalks, or thresholds (these edges attract heat)
How to identify them:
- Young bugs: Bright red to orange with a white stripe on the abdomen
- Adults: Black (less than 1/4 inch long) with a white area between wings
Signs of infestation:
- Yellow patches that progress to brown, especially in sunny areas
- Grass wilting despite regular watering
- Visible insects at the base of grass blades
Green Grounds treatment approach:
- Targeted insecticide application focusing on lawn perimeters
- Follow-up monitoring to ensure complete elimination
- Soil health improvement to boost lawn resistance
White Grubs
White grubs are C-shaped, white-colored larvae with wrinkled, soft bodies and legs, usually ranging from a quarter to one inch in length. They’re considered among the most difficult pests to detect until significant lawn damage occurs.
What they are:
- Larval stage of several beetles (June Beetle, Japanese Beetle, European Chafer)
- Creamy white body with brown head and six legs
Damage they cause:
- Feed on the fibrous roots of turf grasses
- Destroy root systems, causing turf sections to wilt and brown
- Create a spongy feeling when walking on a lawn
- Grass can be easily pulled up due to a minimal root system
Are grubs common in Plano lawns?
Yes, absolutely. The sandy soil composition in many Plano neighborhoods creates ideal conditions for grubs. Areas like Willow Bend, Park Forest, and Deerfield are particularly susceptible due to their mature trees and established lawns.
Green Grounds treatment approach:
- Preventative spring applications before eggs hatch
- Curative treatments with professional-grade products
- Soil health improvements to enhance lawn resilience
Fire Ants
Fire ants are particularly troublesome pests in Texas lawns, known for their painful stings and aggressive behavior. These pests build unsightly mounds and can quickly spread throughout your lawn.
Signs of infestation:
- Large, dome-shaped mounds
- Red ants are actively foraging or swarming
- Painful stings
How do I get rid of fire ants in Plano, TX?
Fire ant control requires strategic timing and methods:
- Spread fire ant baits to attract and poison the colony
- Some homeowners use boiling water on mounds
- For comprehensive control, use granular or liquid insecticides designed for fire ants
Green Grounds professional treatment:
- Multi-phase approach targeting both surface ants and queens
- Barrier treatments to prevent reinfestation from neighboring properties
- Regular monitoring of problem areas, especially after rain
Local hotspots:
- Most common near creeks or water features
- Plano neighborhoods with higher activity: Lakeside and Preston Highlands
Sod Webworms
Tropical sod webworms can damage maintained lawns in just a few days. Grass in infested areas often appears significantly shorter than in unaffected parts.
Identification:
- Larvae: Small caterpillars with cylindrical bodies, light tan to greenish-brown
- Adults: Small moths with wingspan about 1/2 to 3/4 inch, long snout, zigzag flight pattern when disturbed
Behavior and damage:
- Larvae build silk burrows in thatch
- Emerge at night to feed on grass leaves
- Create irregular brown patches on lawns
Green Grounds treatment approach:
- Evening applications when larvae are most active
- Both biological and targeted chemical controls
- Thatch management to reduce habitat
Armyworms
Fall armyworms are cylindrical with a light brown to dark black color and characteristic light stripes along their bodies. They measure 1.5 to 2 inches long and appear at night or in lower temperatures.
Signs of infestation:
- Chewed grass blades with noticeable bitemarks or missing tips
- Rapid browning of affected areas
- Visible caterpillars early morning or late afternoon
Green Grounds treatment approach:
- Rapid response treatments (armyworms can destroy lawns in days)
- Systemic controls to protect new growth
- Regular monitoring during peak seasons (August-October)
Mole Crickets
Mole crickets have a distinctive appearance, resembling a cricket and lobster hybrid due to their specific claws at the front. Adult specimens exceed one inch in length.
Seasonal behavior:
- Re-emerge toward the surface in spring as temperatures rise
- Feed on grass and roots
- Damage lawns by gnawing roots and creating tunnel networks
Signs of infestation:
- Raised tunnels or burrows are visible on the lawn surface
- Grass dying in patches (especially in sandy soils)
- Soft, sponge-like areas where mole crickets have been active
Green Grounds treatment approach:
- Specialized baits and targeted soil applications
- Preventative treatments in early spring, before damage occurs
- Soap flush tests to accurately identify infestation levels
Signs Your Lawn Has Pest Problems
Watch for these warning signs that pests might be damaging your lawn:
- Brown spots or dead grass: Root-feeding larvae are causing damage
- Small, round bald patches: Possible mole tunnels
- Chewed grass leaves or cuts: Caterpillars or armyworms
- Yellowish or brown grass: Chinch bugs sucking sap from grass
- Spongy lawn: Possibly hiding pests like grubs
- Visible insects: Sometimes, you can see the pests themselves
- Birds pecking at grass: Birds feeding on larvae or other insects
- Tunnels or tracks: Voles create surface tunnels
- Irregularly shaped dry patches: Possibly cutworms severing the grass
- Wilted grass despite watering: Root-feeding insects are likely present
Professional vs. DIY Pest Control: Why Expert Help Matters
While DIY treatments might seem cost-effective initially, professional pest control offers several advantages:
Accurate Identification
Pest identification involves observing symptoms on your lawn and recognizing specific pests. Early identification and quick response are crucial to minimize damage.
Professionals receive training to correctly identify pests and determine infestation levels. What looks like chinch bug damage might actually be grubs or even lawn disease. Misidentification means wasted time and money on the wrong treatments.
Targeted Treatments
Professional lawn services have access to:
- Commercial-grade products are not available to homeowners
- Precise application equipment for better coverage
- Integrated pest management approaches
- Preventative treatments based on seasonal pest cycles
Environmentally Responsible Methods
When using insecticides, safety becomes a top priority to protect yourself, your family, pets, and the environment. Green Grounds professionals follow safety guidelines by:
- Reading and following all label instructions carefully
- Wearing protective gear when applying pesticides
- Keeping children and pets away from treated areas until products dry
- Properly storing pesticides out of reach
Long-Term Prevention
Green Grounds focuses on not just treating current infestations but preventing future ones through:
- Regular monitoring of your property
- Soil testing and lawn health programs
- Seasonal preventative applications
- Education on proper lawn maintenance practices
Best Practices for a Pest-Resistant Lawn
Even with professional treatments, these practices help maintain a pest-resistant lawn:
Proper Watering
Watering properly is one of the most misunderstood parts of lawn care. Too little water and your grass can’t grow, and too much and you risk fungus and shallow roots.
- Apply 1–1.5 inches of water per week (including rainfall)
- Water deeply 2–3 times per week instead of daily sprinkling
- Water early morning (before 9 a.m.) to reduce evaporation and disease risk
Regular Maintenance
- Cut your grass regularly at the proper height for your grass type
- Clear grass clippings to deter pests like rodents, ants, fleas, and ticks
- Keep trees and shrubs pruned to help ward off beetles, moths, and other insects
- Create physical barriers by sealing cracks in sidewalks and gaps around windows and doors
- Fertilize your lawn, trees, and plants so they are better able to repel pests
The Green Grounds Approach to Pest Control
At Green Grounds, we take a comprehensive approach to lawn pest control for Plano homeowners:
- Thorough Inspection: We start with a detailed lawn examination to identify pest species, infestation levels, and vulnerable areas.
- Customized Treatment Plan: Every lawn is different. We create a tailored plan based on your specific pest issues, lawn type, and environmental factors.
- Integrated Pest Management: We combine cultural, biological, and chemical controls for the most effective and environmentally responsible approach.
- Seasonal Treatments: Our year-round programs address different pests as they become active through Texas’ long growing season.
- Follow-up Monitoring: We don’t just treat and leave. Our technicians schedule follow-up visits to ensure treatments are working effectively.
Why Plano Homeowners Trust Green Grounds
Just like our neighbors, we’ve battled Texas lawn pests. We understand the frustration of seeing brown patches spread across a once-beautiful lawn. Our team lives and works in the Plano area, giving us first-hand knowledge of local pest patterns.
Many of our clients come from neighborhoods like Legacy West, Timber Brook, and Creekwood, where specific pest patterns emerge each season. This local expertise allows us to anticipate and prevent problems before they start.
Contact Green Grounds Today
Don’t let lawn pests ruin your outdoor space. Green Grounds offers proven pest control solutions for Plano homeowners. Our experienced technicians provide accurate identification, targeted treatments, and ongoing prevention.