Seasonal Pest Control Guide for South Florida: Protecting Your Lawn from Summer Invaders

If you live in South Florida, you know that our warm, tropical weather is a blessing — but it’s also paradise for a variety of bugs. While we enjoy sunshine and palm breezes almost year-round, our landscapes face a different kind of visitor: destructive pests that can quickly turn a lush, green lawn into a patchy, brown nightmare.

Every season brings its own set of challenges, but summer is when chinch bugs, white grubs, and other damaging pests thrive. Without proper care, these pests can cause major damage before you even realize there’s a problem. That’s why staying ahead of the game with smart, seasonal pest control is so important.

Let’s break down what you need to know about these common summer pests — and how Pride Fertilization and Pest Control can help you take your lawn and outdoor spaces back.

Chinch Bugs: Tiny Terrors of the Turf

Chinch bugs may be small (adults are barely 1/5 inch long), but they cause some of the most noticeable and frustrating damage to lawns in South Florida. These bugs love the heat and dry conditions of summer, and their favorite target? St. Augustine grass, which is a common grass variant used frequently in our region.

Chinch bugs work by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into grass blades to suck out the juices. As if that weren’t enough, they also inject toxins into the plant, causing it to wilt and die — even if you're watering regularly. You’ll often notice irregular yellow or brown patches popping up in your lawn, especially in the sunniest spots. At first, it might look like drought stress, but if you get down close and inspect the grass, you may see tiny, fast-moving bugs with black bodies and white wings.

Best Practices for Chinch Bug Control:

• Keep your lawn healthy: By making your lawn as strong, dense and healthy as possible, through proper mowing, watering, and fertilization, you can make your lawn less inviting to chinch bugs. 

• Consider professional treatment: It can be difficult to determine if irregular patches are chinch bugs or drought stress related. Once chinch bugs move in, they can be tough to get rid of on your own and catching an infestation early is key. That’s where the professionals at Pride Fertilization and Pest Control step in with extensive knowledge and targeted treatments to stop the damage fast.

White Grubs: Hidden Threats Beneath the Surface

Unlike chinch bugs that attack from above, white grubs are sneaky underground feeders. They are the larval stage of several beetles (like June bugs and May beetles) and live just beneath the surface, munching on the tender roots of your grass.

But here’s the interesting thing about white grubs: most of the year, grubs aren’t much of a problem. In fact, they can even be beneficial by aerating the soil. But from May through September, when they're actively breeding and populations explode, too many grubs can devastate your lawn.

You might notice areas where the grass feels soft or spongy underfoot, or it pulls up easily like a carpet — that's a classic sign of grub damage. In severe cases, you might even see birds, raccoons, or armadillos digging up your yard in search of a tasty snack.

How to Manage White Grubs:

• Prevention is key: Have professional preventative grub control treatment in late spring, which can stop the next generation before they hatch and start feeding.

• Healthy lawns resist damage: Well-maintained lawns can better survive minor grub activity. Fertilize, mow, and water properly to keep your turf strong.

• Act fast: If you find a lot of grubs (five or more per square foot is considered heavy infestation), curative treatments can knock them back before the damage worsens. The extensive experience and knowledge from the Pride Fertilization and Pest Control team can discuss which treatments would be best for your lawn.

Mosquitoes: More Than Just a Nuisance

Mosquitoes are an inevitable part of Florida summers, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them swarming your yard. Beyond being itchy and annoying, mosquitoes can carry serious diseases like West Nile virus or Zika, making them a real public health concern.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, which means anything from clogged gutters and birdbaths to kiddie pools and flowerpot saucers can become a mosquito nursery almost overnight. During the rainy season (typically June through September), the mosquito population can skyrocket.

Tips for Mosquito Control:

• Dump standing water weekly: Walk your property and empty anything that’s holding water.

• Use safe repellents: When spending time outdoors, apply mosquito repellent for extra protection.

• Professional yard treatments: Consider Pride Fertilization and Pest Control, which offers mosquito barrier treatments that target adult mosquitoes and breeding sites, giving you back your backyard for summer fun.

Trust the Experts at Pride Fertilization and Pest Control

Pests are a part of life in South Florida, but that doesn’t mean they have to take over your lawn or outdoor spaces. Whether you’re dealing with chinch bugs, white grubs, mosquitoes, or all three, the experts at Pride Fertilization and Pest Control have you covered.

We understand the unique challenges of our South Florida environment, and we tailor our treatments to your specific needs. Our team uses safe, effective products to eliminate pests and protect your family, pets, and the environment.

Why choose us?

• Over 100 years of combined experience from our team members

• 5-star reviewed online and currently servicing 1000s of residential and commercial properties in South Florida

• Customized fertilization and pest control programs

• Environmentally responsible practices

• Fast, reliable service

Take back your beautiful yard today! Call Pride Fertilization and Pest Control at 954-797-7907 to schedule your consultation. We'll get your lawn healthy, green, and pest-free — so you can get back to enjoying every sunny South Florida day.