Although Zoysia is quite pest resistance, unfortunately, there are a few stubborn pests that can become a nuisance and can take up residence.
White Grubs – They can vary in color from white to cream colored, depending on which species of beetles they came from. Generally, 0.1 inch to 1 inch in length with black, brown or tan heads. Grubs feed on plant roots underground, the soil can become spongy and grass pulls away from the soil easily. Watch for the appearance of yellow or brown patches of grass.
Hunting Billbugs – These bugs are members of the weevil family. They are reddish-brown or black ranging from 1/3 inch to 1/2 inch in length with long beaks and front wings. The damage will appear as yellowish brown in irregular shaped patterns. Sometimes their damage is confused as a fungal disease or nutrient deficiency, but, can be determined by the hollowed out stems or leaves that will separate easily from the crown of grass.
Chinch Bugs – These bugs are black in color and typically 0.1 of an inch long and have wings. They use their sucking mouth-part to suck up all the nutrients, leaving behind rapid spreading dead lawn. You will see areas of brown, yellow or straw colored grass, usually appearing near a warm pavement or in full sun.
Mole Crickets – Just as their name suggest, mole crickets behave like moles. They are tan, 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches long. They have short, clawed forelegs that serve as a shovel to dig through soil and lawns digging their underground tunnels. The damage will look like patches of brown dead grass.
Our pest control products control all of these common lawn bugs and are available through our website. https://www1.zoysiafarms.com/category.jsp?id=32
The best natural way to keep your lawn pest free is by aerating and dethatching annually.