A patchy, brown lawn in late spring or summer is not always a watering problem. Across the Western Suburbs, lawn grubs are a common cause. African black beetle larvae and other curl grubs feed on grass roots under the surface, while armyworm and sod webworm caterpillars chew the blades at night. A lawn that looked fine a week ago can have large dead patches soon after.
Signs of lawn pests include brown patches that spread quickly, turf that lifts like a loose carpet because the roots have been eaten, and magpies pecking hard at one part of the lawn. Small moths flying up from the grass at dusk can point to armyworm or webworm, and shiny black beetles on paths in spring are a clue that African black beetle is laying eggs.
- Inspection of damaged patches to find the grub or caterpillar
- Treatment of the whole lawn or the affected sections
- Treatment of garden bed edges where grubs spread from
- Advice on watering after the treatment
- Tips on mowing height to keep the lawn strong through summer
Homes in Sunshine West, Altona North, Avondale Heights and Keilor East often have large front and back lawns, and newer estates with fresh turf can be hit hard in their first few summers. Before the visit, mow the lawn a couple of days ahead, and keep children and pets off the grass until the crew says it is fine to use again.
Call 03 7053 9832 to describe the damage and hear the price. A photo of the brown patches is handy if you have one. We will book a local crew for lawn pest treatment in the Western Suburbs.