Lawn and Turf: Ants Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 09:59 Thatching ant mound Photo by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Ants are primarily a nuisance pest in lawns. Occasionally, they may kill the grass, causing an aesthetic problem. Various species may occur in lawns, including harvester ants which can have […]
Lawn and Turf: Billbugs Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 10:09 Billbug adult Photo by: K. Grey Biology Billbugs are a problem in eastern Washington. They have not yet been detected in western Washington. Both the adults and larvae cause damage. Kentucky bluegrass is severely damaged, while bentgrass is […]
Lawn and Turf: Chinch bugs Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 02:05 Chinch bug adult Photo by: D. Pehling Biology Chinch bugs feed on the stems, injecting a toxic saliva as they feed. Damage typically appears in mid- to late summer. Affected grass turns yellow and dies. The damage […]
Lawn and Turf: Cutworms Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 02:35 Redbacked cutworm Photo by: K. Grey Biology Cutworms are the larvae of noctuid moths. These common moths are medium sized with fairly dull coloration. The greenish, grayish, or tan caterpillars are hairless, nocturnal, and generally spotted, striped, or […]
Lawn and Turf: European Chafer Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 02:52 European chafer beetle adult Photo by: Bugwood.org Biology The European Chafer is a newly introduced invasive turf pest that is spreading through the south Puget Sound region. The larvae of European Chafers are c-shaped grubs, with well-defined […]
Lawn and Turf: European Crane Fly Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-24 03:31 European cranefly damage on lawn Photo by: C.R. Foss Biology The larvae of the European cranefly feed on the crowns of grasses during the winter and spring. Damage can be severe in lawns, appearing as large […]
Lawn and Turf: Leafhoppers Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-30 12:30 Leafhopper Photo by: K. Grey Biology Leafhoppers are slender, somewhat wedge-shaped insects that hop or fly just above the lawn surface when disturbed. They are variously-colored, from yellowish to green to gray-brown. The wings are typically held roof-like […]
Lawn and Turf: Moles Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Insects Last review date: 2026-06-30 12:47 Mole Photo by: D. Pehling Biology There are three species of moles in the Pacific Northwest which are considered a problem in landscapes. The Townsend’s mole (Scapanus townsendii) is the most common and is found throughout western Washington […]
Lawn and Turf: 2,4-D damage Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Diseases Last review date: 2026-06-22 09:57 2,4-D damage to grass Photo by: Beth Staley Biology Bentgrasses are commonly used for lawns in western Washington and found as weeds in eastern and western Washington. Both weedy species and cultivated varieties are susceptible to damage […]
Lawn and Turf: Algae Categories: Lawn and Turf Lawn and Turf Diseases Last review date: 2025-08-16 02:47 Black algae Photo by: G. Stahnke Biology Algae are tiny, single-celled plants commonly found in lakes and wet areas. Algal growth on lawns is common in the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest, particularly on grass planted in […]