Sod webworms are caterpillars that feed on grass.  They can be found in all grasses, especially St. Augustinegrass.  Sod webworms normally startFlorida as early as mid-June.  From a distance, their damage looks like the grass was scalped too close by the lawn mower.  Up close you will see notches along the sides of the grass blades where the caterpillar has chewed.  They can be difficult to see because they feed only at night and rest in a curled position on the soil surface during the day.  becoming a problem in

Mature sod webworms can cause quite a bit of damage before they develop into dingy brown moths. They can consume enough grass in a short period of time to cause homeowners to think that the damage has occurred “overnight.”

As adults, sod webworms are small moths that do not cause damage.  They tend to hide in shrubs and other sheltered areas during the day and fly low to the ground when disturbed.  Female moths lay clusters of white eggs at night. The eggs can hatch within 7 days and there can be many generations each year.  Grass can recover from sod webworm damage if properly fertilized,irrigated and maintained.

To help keep your lawn looking healthy and green – and free of pests, contact Massey Services GreenUP Landscape Services for a free,detailed inspection and written estimate.

If you haven’t heard too much about chilli thrips, you will soon. These tiny, almost transparent, insects appeared in Florida a few years ago and are here to stay. They attack growing parts of plants and shrubs, feeding primarily on young leaves, buds and fruits.

Chilli thrips damage can be seen on the surface of the plants they feed on, which will typically appear shiny silver at first and then become yellow to greenish brown in color. If you find chilli thrips on your plants,remove the infected plant parts and discard completely. To minimize the damage done by chili thrips, early detection is essential to prevent full-scale infestation.

Keep your landscape protected this summer – contact MasseyServices today for your free, detailed landscape inspection.

Chinch bugs are one of the most difficult-to-control and damaging insects in St. Augustinegrass.  They are tiny, hard-to-see insects that cause damage often confused with drought stress. They suck the juices from grass blades and inject toxins back into the blades, causing them to wilt and turn yellow and brown. If you examine the grass near the soil surface [usually in dry areas of your lawn], you can often see these red or black insects. Proper monitoring,mowing and irrigation are essential in keeping chinch bugs out of your St. Augustine lawn.

Our Massey GreenUP services can provide continuous protection from chinch bugs throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Justcontact Massey Services for your free, detailed landscape inspection to get started.