A proactive pest management strategy helps protect landscape investments, improve plant performance and deliver better long-term results for customers.

Common Spring Landscape Pests

Spring is a period of rapid growth for both desirable plants and pest populations.

Common spring pests include:

• White grubs
• Chinch bugs
• Aphids
• Caterpillars
• Sod webworms
• Spider mites
• Scale insects
• Bagworms (in some regions)

Early-season turf diseases may also weaken grass and create conditions that attract secondary insect problems.

Common Fall Landscape Pests

Common fall concerns include:

• Armyworms
• Fall webworms
• Cutworms
• Surface-feeding caterpillars
• White grub activity
• Rodents seeking shelter
• Overwintering insects in ornamental beds and structures

Managing these pests before winter can help reduce problems that emerge the following spring.

Monitor Before Problems Become Visible

Landscape professionals should regularly inspect managed properties for:

• Discolored turf
• Wilting plants
• Insect feeding damage
• Thinning turf areas
• Unusual pest activity

Consistent inspections allow problems to be identified early, when management options are typically more effective.

Understand Risk Factors

Several conditions increase pest pressure:

• Excess moisture
• Poor drainage
• Overwatering
• Plant stress
• Dense vegetation
• Soil compaction

Recognizing these risk factors helps landscape professionals prioritize monitoring and preventive efforts.

For landscape professionals implementing preventive pest management programs, products such as LESCO® CrossCheck® Plus Multi-Insecticide can help manage a broad spectrum of turf and ornamental pests when used as part of an overall Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy and according to label directions.

Early intervention helps minimize damage and reduces the need for more aggressive treatments later in the season.

Fall Preparation: Protecting Landscapes Before Winter

Why Fall Pest Activity Is Often Overlooked

Fall pest activity is frequently overlooked, but it plays a major role in next season's landscape performance.

Many insects continue feeding during fall, causing damage that weakens turf and ornamentals before dormancy. Landscape maintenance teams can reduce overwintering habitats by:

• Removing leaves and debris
• Managing excess thatch
• Improving landscape sanitation
• Correcting drainage issues

Treatment options may include:

• Preventive insecticides
• Curative insecticides
• Biological controls
• Turf and ornamental health products

Seasonal management of turf and ornamental pests starts with planning, not reacting. By understanding pest cycles, monitoring properties regularly and addressing risk factors early, landscape professionals can prevent costly damage before it occurs.

Looking to strengthen your pest management program? Visit your local SiteOne branch or connect with a SiteOne expert to find seasonal solutions that help protect turf, ornamentals and landscape investments throughout the year.