Pest Library
Know what you're looking at.
The pests that actually destroy Central Florida lawns and landscapes—how to spot them, what they do, and how to stop them.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are small black-and-white insects (about 1/5 inch long) that feed on St. Augustine grass in Central Florida by sucking moisture from the blades and injecting a toxic saliva that kills the grass. They thrive in hot, dry weather and are most damaging from late spring through early fall.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap by piercing leaves and stems. In Central Florida, aphids are most commonly found on the undersides of leaves and on flower buds of crape myrtle, gardenia, oleander, viburnum, podocarpus, and hibiscus.
Sod Webworms
Sod webworms are the caterpillar stage of small tan moths. They feed on grass blades at night, chewing notches and eventually shearing the lawn down to brown stubble. In Central Florida, peak damage occurs from late summer through fall.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are aggressive stinging ants that build dome-shaped soil mounds in lawns and landscapes. Their stings cause painful welts that can be dangerous for sensitive individuals and pets. Central Florida is heavily infested with the imported red fire ant.
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