Turf Damaging Insects

Winnipeg lawns are susceptible to multiple turf damaging insects, but the most common are the following:

Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs are the most common turf damaging insect found in Winnipeg lawns.  Chinch bugs are generally active starting late June/early July and continue until the end of August.  They thrive in hot, dry weather and sunny areas are usually the most affected.  Chinch bugs cause damage by sucking the juice from the blades of turf.  Damage usually begins as localized dead patches that merge together given time.  The damaged areas are brown, irregular, sunken patches.  If untreated a full infestation can cause a complete loss of the lawn.




Sod Webworms

Sod webworms are generally active throughout July and August, however damage does not become evident usually until late in the summer.  Sod Webworms are part of a life cycle that starts with tan colored moths that lay eggs in your lawn.  There is no way of controlling these moths, nor do they cause any damage to the turf directly.  Sod webworms feed nocturnally and are not easily visible in most cases.  They cause damage by biting the blades of turf close to root, causing it to become detached and brown out.  Damage is almost always localized and is very rarely widespread.  A good indicator of sod webworm damage is if the area of damage can be lifted free from the soil with ease by hand.