Skip to content

Turf pest

Turf School: Avoid this wild goose chase

Hunt down crabgrass and goosegrass in your landscapes

Identification: Poa annua has leaf tips that curve upwards in a boat-like fashion. (Photo: Nufarm; Ben Pease)

Turf School: Tips for managing Poa annua

Tips for managing this evolving turf pest

The larvae munch on the roots of the turf, causing significant damage. (Photo: Doug Richmond)

Turf School: The battle with billbugs

Everything to know about controlling these crawling critters.

Photo: Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

How a changing climate will affect turf in 2025

Lawn care operators share how a shifting climate has changed the way they manage turf.

Researching the red-headed flee beetle and its effect on nurseries

These pests are smaller than a grain of rice and can cause nursery growers millions of dollars’ worth of damage by chewing holes in leaves, skeletonizing foliage and stunting growth.

Chinch bugs often have a white stripe as a nymph that becomes an X as an adult. (Photo: David J. Shetlar)

How turf care fundamentals can save you from chinch bugs

A classic self-care tip these days is to cut toxicity from your life, and in the landscaping industry, that can be taken literally. First up…

From green to gray: Gray leaf spot produces spores that can be spread by the weather, lawn equipment or even just walking on it. (Photos: Courtesy of Quali-Pro; Getty Images: DNY59 / E+, boschettophotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Spot this problem early

The season is almost over, but gray leaf spot isn’t.

New Mexico State study shows impacts of invasive plant species

The study sought to clarify the missing link between plant invasions and associated changes in ecosystem functions by assessing how invasive species alter the functional traits of plant communities.

The thick, stiff leaves of nutsedge not only grow faster than other turfgrasses, but they often cut unevenly and unsightly when mowed. (Photo: Chris Butcher; Getty Images: DNY59 / E+, boschettophotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Turf School: Controlling nutsedge

Nutsedge can be found ruining lawns and landscapes throughout North America, usually preferring moist soils.

Dallisgrass grows faster than other turfgrasses with seedheads that stay low to the ground and coarse leaves. (Photo: Chris Butcher)

Turf School: Weeding out dallisgrass

Identifying and eliminating this illusive weed requires diligence.

LCOs can spot hairy chinch bugs by looking for the trademark white X on their backs. (Photo: Syngenta)

Keeping chinch bugs out of your turf

Get to know the warning signs of this turf-killing pest.

Fireweed can be a major problem for LCOs because of how fast it spreads. (Photo: Personal Lawn Care)

Quickly extinguish your fireweed problem

Learn why it’s important to always be vigilant when fireweed threatens your lawn.

Fire ant mounds, if left undisturbed, can grow to 18-inches in height. (Photo: Blake Layton)

Turf School: Don’t get burned by fire ants this spring

Fire ants can be annoying and painful pests for LCOs and homeowners alike. Read tips to on how to combat these turf pests.

Quarantine issued in Southwest Ohio for invasive box tree moth

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is issuing a quarantine for six counties in southwest Ohio to prevent the spread of an invasive insect – the box tree moth.

Sod webworm damage can look similar to drought damage, making identification crucial for control. (Photo: Envu)

Ways to win the battle against sod webworms

Experts share strategies to ID and treat sod webworms.

Spotted lanternfly is once again a pest experts say LCOs should keep an eye on. (Photo: arlutz73 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

What’s the No. 1 emerging pest that lawn care operators should know about in 2024?

Pros in the industry share the No. 1 emerging pest that lawn care operators should know about in 2024.

Crane flies spend most of their life cycle as larvae, leaving plenty of time to cause turf damage. (Photo: Ben MCgraw Ph.D.)

Experts share how to properly identify and combat crane flies

Learn what cultural controls and preventive applications will help you get ahead of this emerging pest.

Fall armyworm damage doesn’t mean the end of the road for your turf, as curative treatment options can help bring it back. (Photo: Patrick Beaman)

Tips to sell fall armyworm control to your clients

An ounce of prevention goes a long way toward keeping fall armyworms at bay and turf looking its best.

Quali-Pro to rerelease its Nimitz Pro G granular nematicide

Quali-Pro will rerelease Nimitz Pro G, a nematicide that controls nematodes at all stages: eggs, larvae and adults.

Sod webworm caterpillars are the most damaging part of the turf pests’ life cycle. Most damage occurs when the caterpillars reach peak maturity. (Photo: Envu)

How to keep sod webworms at bay

The sod webworm will feed on just about any type of turf and Envu’s Jesse Benelli, Ph.D., shares tips for managing one of an LCO’s least-favorite turf pests.

Photos: SD Frank

How to recognize and manage scale insects

There are thousands of scale insect species, but most landscape pests fall within two major groups: Armored and soft.

To top