Armyworms
Armyworms are destructive caterpillars most active in late summer and early fall, but they can be found in your lawns as early as spring and summer. They are often introduced through new sod or infestations from your neighbor's land that’s spread to your property. It takes 28 days for armyworms to grow from egg to adult, so untreated spaces can be overrun by several generations quickly. Armyworms create irregular brown patches on lawns. Unlike grubworms, which attack the roots, adult armyworms eat grass stems while small larvae chew on the green layer responsible for photosynthesis. This can weaken your turf and make it vulnerable to outdoor conditions
Grubs
Grubs are the larvae of various beetle species. Their presence and impact on lawns are most severe in the late summer and early fall when they hatch and are actively feeding. After hatching underground, they move closer to the surface as they mature. As a result, they start feeding on the root systems of your grass, which causes your turf to turn brown, die, and detach from the soil, peeling away easily like a carpet. Additionally, grubs are natural prey for rodents and armadillos. An infestation of grubs can lead to wildlife burrowing around your property, causing more damage.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are tiny pests that thrive in hot, dry conditions typical of the Texas climate. They prey on thick grass types (like St. Augustine) by sucking the juices from the grass blades and injecting toxins that kill the grass, leaving yellow or brown patches that expand if untreated. Adult cinch bugs have slate-black bodies with silvery wings. However, their size makes them difficult to see and diagnose. This can result in costly damage due to delays or incorrect and ineffective treatments.
Fleas
Fleas are a year-round problem in Texas, as the winter temperatures are not low enough to stop flea activity. Lawn fleas typically live for 100 days and take 45 days to grow from egg to adult. With the average adult female laying about 40 eggs daily, you can imagine how easily fleas can infest your property. Fleas pose threats to pets, households, and wildlife. Most pets become infested by roaming outdoors, resulting in itchy bites and irritation. Fleas can also transmit diseases and tapeworms, making them a growing health concern in many southern states.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are aggressive species of ants known for their painful stings – and severe allergic reactions in some individuals – making them a threat to humans and pets. Fire ants are highly territorial and can quickly spread across a yard if left untreated. One colony can have several queens, with one queen laying up to 800 eggs daily and up to half a million worker ants. A single queen only needs about six worker ants to establish a brand new colony. Within a short time (sometimes even overnight), this new colony can grow rapidly, leading to a larger infestation in your yard
