If your once-lush lawn is looking more like a bad hair day than a green carpet, the issue might not be a watering problem—it could be a bug problem. Here in Oakville, we’re no strangers to the common lawn insects that love to chew, suck, and burrow their way through your turf. While some bugs are just passing through, others are downright destructive.
Let’s shine a light on the most common lawn pests in Oakville, how to spot them, and what to do before they turn your backyard into an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Grubs: The Underground Wrecking Crew
Grubs are the larvae of beetles (like European chafers and Japanese beetles), and they’ve got one job: eat. Specifically, they feast on the roots of your grass, causing your lawn to wilt, brown, and peel up like a bad toupee.
Signs to watch out for:
- Patches of dead or spongy grass
- Increased raccoon or skunk activity (they dig for grubs like treasure)
- Grass that lifts easily like a piece of sod
What to do: Professional grub control services can save your lawn before the damage becomes severe. At Dr. Green, we time our treatments based on grub life cycles, ensuring these little root-munchers don’t stand a chance.
Chinch Bugs: The Tiny Vampires of Turf
They may be small, but chinch bugs pack a punch. These sap-sucking insects are most active during hot, dry summers and can quickly turn green grass into brittle brown patches.
How to spot damage:
- Irregular yellowing or browning starting in sunny areas
- Grass looks drought-stressed but doesn’t respond to watering
- If you part the grass and look closely, you may see the tiny black-and-white bugs crawling around
The fix: Early detection is key. Our Oakville lawn care programs include surface insect treatments that target chinch bugs and other turf-destroying pests, helping you stay ahead of an infestation.
Sod Webworms: The Silent Shredders
These larvae of lawn moths quietly chew their way through your lawn, often leaving brown patches with small holes and webbing. The damage tends to show up mid-summer and can easily be mistaken for drought stress.
Clues you’ve got a problem:
- Small moths flying up as you mow
- Chewed grass blades or tiny green pellets (worm droppings)
- Brown spots that expand quickly in warm weather
Control tips: Mowing regularly and watering deeply can help, but for bigger problems, insect control treatments are your best bet.
Healthy Grass, Fewer Pests
The best defense against common Oakville lawn insects? A healthy, thick lawn that can stand its ground (literally). At Dr. Green, our lawn care programs are designed not just to fix damage but to strengthen your turf with the right balance of nutrients, weed control, and grub control services—because a strong lawn is a less tasty target.
