Lawn Feeding Insects
Surface-feeding insects can strip your lawn of green growth fast. Jake's targeted treatments stop sod webworms, chinch bugs, armyworms, and more before they cause lasting damage.
Surface Feeders Are Just as Destructive
While grubs attack from below, lawn feeding insects work above the soil — chewing grass blades, sucking plant juices, and spreading damage across your turf in a matter of days. Because their damage often mimics drought stress or disease, they're frequently misdiagnosed until the problem is widespread. Jake's IPM-based approach identifies the right pest at the right time and applies targeted treatments to stop the damage and protect your lawn.
Common Lawn Feeding Insects We Treat
Sod Webworms
Surface-feeding caterpillars that chew grass blades at the soil line, creating irregular brown patches that appear scorched. Most active in mid to late summer.
Chinch Bugs
Tiny insects that suck plant juices from grass stems, causing yellowing and browning that spreads outward from sunny, dry areas of the lawn.
Armyworms
Fast-moving caterpillars that can strip a lawn of green growth in a matter of days, particularly in late summer and early fall.
Cutworms
Nocturnal caterpillars that cut grass stems at or just below the soil surface, leaving small circular dead spots that expand if left untreated.
Hairy Chinch Bugs
A common Michigan pest that thrives in hot, dry conditions — causing irregular yellow and brown patches that are often mistaken for drought or fertilizer burn.
Bluegrass Billbug Adults
Adult billbugs feed on grass stems at the surface before laying eggs, compounding the root damage caused by their larvae below ground.
Crane Fly Larvae (Leatherjackets)
The larvae of crane flies — sometimes called leatherjackets — feed on grass roots and stems just below the soil surface. Increasingly common in Michigan lawns, they produce irregular dead patches in spring and fall that can be difficult to distinguish from grub damage or disease.
Our Approach to Lawn Insect Control
Scouting & Identification
We scout for insect activity and identify the specific pest present — surface feeders require different timing and products than soil-dwelling grubs.
Threshold-Based Treatment
Consistent with IPM principles, we treat when pest populations reach damaging thresholds — avoiding unnecessary applications and targeting the most effective window.
Targeted Application
Surface insect treatments are applied to the turf canopy and thatch layer where feeding insects live and feed — timed to catch larvae in their most vulnerable early stages.
Turf Recovery Support
After treatment, we recommend pairing with fertilization and overseeding as needed to help damaged turf recover and fill back in quickly.
Signs You May Have a Lawn Insect Problem
Surface insect damage is often mistaken for drought stress or disease. If you're seeing any of these signs, contact Jake for a proper assessment before the damage spreads.
Request an AssessmentNot Sure What's Damaging Your Lawn?
Surface insect damage is easy to misread. Get a free assessment and let Jake identify what's going on and recommend the right treatment.