You put in the work — watering, mowing, fertilizing — and then patches of your lawn start dying for no obvious reason. Before you blame the weather, take a closer look. Indiana lawns face a handful of common pests that can undo months of effort in a matter of weeks.
White grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles and June bugs, and they feed on grass roots just below the surface. The damage shows up as irregular brown patches that peel back like loose carpet — because the roots are gone. Grubs are most active in late summer and early fall. A healthy lawn can tolerate a few grubs, but more than 5 to 10 per square foot means it's time to treat. Preventative grub control applied in June or July stops them before they cause damage.
Chinch bugs thrive in hot, dry conditions — exactly what Indiana gets in July and August. They suck sap from grass blades and inject a toxin that causes the grass to yellow and die. Damage often starts along driveways, sidewalks, and south-facing slopes where it's hottest. The tug test helps here too — chinch bug damage stays firmly rooted, unlike grub damage. Regular watering and avoiding over-fertilization with high-nitrogen products can reduce chinch bug problems.
Sod webworms are the larvae of small tan moths you might see flying low over the lawn at dusk. The caterpillars feed at night, chewing on grass blades near the soil surface. The damage looks like small brown spots that grow larger over time. You might also see small silk tunnels in the thatch layer. They're most active in mid to late summer. Beneficial nematodes and targeted insecticides both work — the key is catching them early.
Fall armyworms are an occasional but serious problem in Indiana. They get their name because they move across a lawn in large numbers, devouring grass as they go. A heavy infestation can turn a green lawn brown in 48 to 72 hours. They're most common in late summer and early fall. If you see large numbers of birds feeding in your lawn or small caterpillars on sidewalks and driveways, inspect immediately.
The best defense against lawn pests is a healthy, thick lawn. Pests target stressed, thin turf. Proper mowing height, deep infrequent watering, and appropriate fertilization all make your lawn less attractive to insects. If you do have a pest problem, correct identification matters — treating for the wrong pest wastes time and money. When in doubt, have a professional take a look before you start spraying.
Seeing brown spots you can't explain? We diagnose lawn problems every day across Kokomo, Lafayette, and surrounding areas. Give us a call and we'll figure out what's going on and how to fix it.
Don't let pests destroy your lawn. We identify the problem and fix it — fast.