Defending Your Lawn Against Summer Garden Pests

• Summer garden pests can damage lawns, trees, shrubs and other plants.
• Aphids can weaken plants and leave sticky honeydew that leads to sooty mold.
• Armyworms can damage a lawn in days by chewing and stripping grass blades.
• Whiteflies can damage trees and shrubs, especially in warm, humid climates.
• Cicadas threaten young trees and are usually harmless to lawns.
• Spotted lanternflies feed on trees and can leave behind sticky residue.

Summer is the season to soak up the sun, host backyard barbecues and relax in the lush green space you’ve worked so hard to maintain. But as temperatures rise, so does pest activity and not all summer visitors are welcome guests. From aphids to armyworms, summer garden pests can quickly turn a thriving lawn into a patchy, stressed landscape.

Want to know how to get rid of spotted lanternflies, aphids or armyworms? To help you protect your lawn and landscape, we've pulled together some of the most common pest culprits to watch for — plus a few smart ways to keep them at bay.

Aphids are one of the most common, and frustrating, summer garden pests. These small insects can infest your plants and lawn almost overnight, draining them of nutrients and leaving behind sticky residue that encourages mold. Left unchecked, aphids can weaken your yard, making it look tired and unhealthy.

Characteristics

Tiny but mighty, aphids (often called “plant lice”) come in over 4,000 varieties and love to feast on the soft tissue of plants. Using their piercing mouthparts, they extract sap and nutrients, leaving your plants weak and vulnerable. Because they reproduce rapidly, one or two aphids often means an entire colony is close behind.

Symptoms

Curled, twisted or wrinkled leaves are telltale signs that aphids have moved in. They also leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew, which often leads to black sooty mold.

Treatment

When aphids appear, act quickly. These pests can spread fast and devastate plants in no time. Get rid of them with a strong stream of water or, better yet, let a TruGreen specialist help you manage both aphids and the weeds that attract them early in the season. 

Whiteflies may look harmless, but their feeding habits can quickly weaken your trees and shrubs. They thrive in warm, humid climates and can be especially troublesome in southern regions where they reproduce year-round.

Characteristics

Small but highly destructive, the Spiraling Whitefly is a major threat in southern regions like Florida. These tiny, winged insects leave a sticky trail of honeydew that can lead to mold growth on leaves, patios, and even cars.

Symptoms

If you notice a sooty buildup on leaves or the signature spiral pattern of white eggs on the undersides, whiteflies may be the culprit. They can cause significant damage to palms, shrubs and ornamental trees if left untreated.

Treatment

Because these pests are difficult to control on your own, call in the experts. TruGreen’s TruShrub Tree & Shrub Care program helps manage pest damage and supports long-term plant health. 

The Spotted Lanternfly has quickly become one of the most talked-about invasive pests in the U.S. and for good reason. These insects don’t just feed on trees; they leave behind a sticky residue that can attract even more pests and cause widespread damage. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to get rid of spotted lanternflies, understanding their habits is the first step.

Characteristics

Originally from Asia, the Spotted Lanternfly has become a serious concern in states like Pennsylvania. With striking red-and-gray wings, this invasive insect feeds on trees, vines and crops leaving a sticky, mold-producing residue behind.

Symptoms

If you see sap oozing down tree trunks or a black sooty mold coating surfaces below, you may have an infestation.  Both the immature and the adult stages feed. The honeydew they excrete can also attract ants, wasps, and other unwanted pests.

Treatment

Because of their resilience, the best way to eliminate Spotted Lanternflies is through professional pest control. TruGreen’s five-round treatment program targets these insects at every life stage, helping to protect your trees and property all season long.