When we think of bug control, we often think about wasps or flies that might visit us on our patio while we are trying to eat a nice meal outside to enjoy the weather. We might also think about nuisance bugs that get in the way when we have an outdoor BBQ at our home.

While these are valid concerns that must be addressed in the summer months, there are other insects that you will want to eradicate from your yard that might be harming your lawn and your other plants. These insects come out and have their active season at the same time as other pests like flies, and you need to make sure they do not overwhelm your lawn and other plants.

There are some specific pests that we can help you to keep out of your yard during the summer. If you want to learn more about these insects and how we can help keep them from ruining your summer plans, read on!

Bug Control for a Stress-Free Illinois Summer

Everyone knows the signs of a lawn that is being harmed by insects and we can all recognize droopy and pathetic-looking shrubs and flowers as signs of some kind of bug infestation. Removing these invaders is often a process that is best addressed by professional yard and lawn care experts.

·         Chinch Bugs

These bugs look like small beetles and they are common in central and southern Illinois. They prefer to take up residence in Illinois Turfgrass, but they also like Fine Fescues, Perennial Ryegrass, Bentgrass, and Zoysiagrass. They can also attack Wheat, Corn, and Sorghum, so if your home is near these crops, you might get these visitors in greater numbers.

These bugs are less than ¼ inch long and black and white. They nest in the crowns of the grasses during the winter and then come out when the weather gets warmer. They can lead to a straw-like brown lawn.

These bugs need to be attended to with the right spraying process and lawn maintenance schedule.

·         Hairy Chinch Bugs

These are the northern cousins of the regular chinch bug and they can cause the same troubles as their friends in the central and southern parts of the state. These are a slightly larger bug and are lighter in color. You can see them if you part your lawn and look through the thatch for the adults or for larvae if it is early enough in the season.

·         Billbugs

These bugs are only a problem if you have a Kentucky bluegrass lawn. They are part of the weevil family and grow to about ¼ to ½ inch long. These bugs cause leaf and stem damage, causing your lawn to look brown and dead. Unlike some of the other common law pests, these bugs are much easier to see and identify, but you may still need help to create the right spraying and lawn maintenance plan to eradicate them.

Control of these pests is done by careful chemical application and then ongoing lawn care to keep the lawn short and fed with the right nutrients to counteract the damage done by the bugs.

·         Grubs

Grubs are the hardest invaders to deal with because they reside under the actual soil and thatch of your lawn, making them hard to kill. These can be the larvae form of many common insects, and they will turn your lawn brown in the fall. This is not really a summer problem but the brown and dried out grass can carry through into the warmer months, making your lawn struggle to green up.

This is a case where year-round management of insect loads can benefit your lawn. Attending to infestations of grubs and other insects once the warmer months have arrived can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of the actual reason for the browning of your lawn, and can also make it impossible to salvage your lawn during the hottest part of the year.

·         Mosquitos

These invaders are not really a problem for your lawn or your plants but they can be a big problem for you and anyone else who wants to enjoy your yard this summer. Mosquitos not only cause itchy bites; they can carry disease. Clouds of mosquitoes are often not deterred by citronella or other bug sprays, making these invaders tough to deal with.

Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce in, so if you have a pool, a pond, or water that is not draining off your lawn, you might have a major mosquito infestation on your hands as soon as it gets warm out. There are many ways to prevent this infestation, from keeping your pond water circulating, to improving the overall drainage on your property to prevent and remove standing water.

Mosquito prevention requires consistent upkeep as these are hard insects to completely eradicate. You will need to make sure that the right pesticides are used in your yard frequently to control the mosquito population. It can also be a good idea to work with a lawn care expert to drain off standing water and maintain your pond or swimming pool correctly to prevent infestation.

Insect Prevention and Bug Control is Best Done Year-Round in Illinois

There is no substitute for proper yard maintenance and insect prevention that is done all year. Your property will be far less likely to suffer from bug damage or nuisance bugs if you commit to year-round yard and lawn care that prevents bug infestations. It is always much easier to attend to bug control before you are dealing with an actual infestation.

At Linnemann Lawn Care, we can take care of all of your yard maintenance needs. From caring for your plants and your lawn to helping you manage pest prevention and bug control, we are the right choice for your total yard care needs. We can even help you with drainage and fireplace and firepit installation!

Contact us today for a consultation and we can create a plan that will maintain your yard and lawn year-round with beautiful results!