Summer Landscape Pests
Root Weevil
The Root Weevil is a small, dark brown-to-black beetle whose abdomen is the size and shape of a BB. This beetle hatches in the middle of summer from various roots of common, low-level plants such as ivy. It commonly enters the house in large numbers and just wanders from room to room. This slow-moving beetle has a habit of dropping to the floor when you reach to capture it. (Image © Whitney Cranshaw, Bugwood.org)
Wireworm
Wireworms are actually the larvae of click beetles. They live and grow under wood mulch and moist conditions by home foundations. These insects can be troublesome to eliminate because only a few insecticides are effective against them. (Image © Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org)
Pill Bugs/Sow Bugs
Pill Bugs and Sow Bugs are small, prehistoric-looking pests that can harbor in huge numbers under wood mulch, especially if the mulch is allowed to build up depth year after year. Extremes of wet, dry or hot weather drives them inside, where they do no damage but are an annoyance. (Image © Wayne Stadler/Dreamstime.com)
Millipedes
Millipedes, like Pill bugs, live and breed very well under wood mulch. Extreme weather conditions will also push them into homes. (Image © Fei Li/Dreamstime.com)
House Cricket
Crickets can enter homes and do chewing damage to many kinds of fabrics, and annoy everyone with the “chirp”. Mostly nocturnal, they usually enter the home from harborage just outside. (Image © Petrp/Dreamstime.com)
Earwig
Easily recognized by its forceps-like tail appendage, the earwig is a major garden pest, as well as an annoying household pest. Even though they look scary, they can’t harm you in any way. Shoreline’s Solution: Earwigs, crickets, pillbugs, millipedes, wireworms and other landscaping pests are best treated by changing their habitat. Replace wood mulch every year and reduce automatic watering. Or try to power spray the area adjacent to the house that is causing the problem. Shoreline Services can often treat these problems the same day you call! (Image © Melinda Fawver/Dreamstime.com)
Clover Mites
These are tiny red mites that come thru windows and doors in huge numbers. They do not bite, but when crushed leave red marks on window sills and curtains. Hatching in early spring in lush, over-fertilized lawns, Clover Mites can become an annoying problem. Shoreline’s Solution: Over-fertilizing seems to be a determining factor in overpopulation. Less fertilizer in early spring will help in control. Proper treatment in affected areas outside will also complete control. (Image © Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)
Japanese Beetles
Japanese Beetles are a common summertime pest of ornamental and garden plants. If left alone, they can devastate plants and become very annoying with their large numbers. Shoreline’s Solution: Pheromone Traps are available at many garden centers. Always use these traps far away from plants and people, as they lure large numbers of beetles that may not have come on their own. Insecticide treatments are also effective on affected plants. (Image © Nancy Kennedy/Dreamstime.com)