6 Common Winter Lawn Pests and How to Manage Them

Winter sweeps in, and so do pesky critters. Your lawn becomes an all-you-can-eat buffet for these little invaders.

You notice brown patches or chewed leaves. Not cool, right?

With this post, we’ll put the usual suspects under the microscope for you during the cold months. From grubs munching away under the surface to sneaky moles digging tunnels, each pest has a story.

Knowing these helps you take action fast. Protect your green space with a few of these smart moves.

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1. Grubs

Grubs hide deep in the soil during winter, waiting for spring to emerge, feed, and develop into beetles. While they chew through grass roots, they also draw predators like moles and skunks, adding to the destruction both above and below ground. Managing grubs requires careful planning, especially if they’ve been a recurring issue in your yard.

Preventing Grubs in Winter

1. Fertilize in fall – Use slow-release fertilizer to strengthen grass.
2. Limit watering – Let soil dry slightly to deter grubs.
3. Aerate and remove thatch – Improve drainage and eliminate grub shelters.
4. Apply preventative treatments – Use grub control products in early fall.
5. Encourage natural predators – Attract birds to feed on grubs.
6. Inspect regularly – Check soil for grubs in late fall and treat as needed.
7. Keep your lawn clean – Remove leaves and debris to reduce pest habitats.

These steps help keep your lawn healthy and grub-free during winter.

2. Voles

You see little tracks across your lawn in the winter. Voles, those small, furry creatures, are fans of digging under the snow. They munch on roots and grass and leave trails everywhere.

You see the damage in early spring when the snow melts. Your emerald green lawn now looks like a maze of brown lines.

They look for warmth and food. Snow cover gives them the perfect hideout.

You want to stop them, don’t you? Here’s how you do it.

1. Mow your grass short before winter. Long grass attracts voles (which attract hawks). They feel comfortable that way.

Then, remove fallen leaves and debris. Voles love hiding spots. When you remove these, your lawn becomes less inviting.

Next, prevent them from coming in. Use wire mesh around trees and shrubs. Voles chew bark, damaging plants.

2. Protect your garden. Traps work too. Set them right near vole trails. Check every day. Persistence pays off.

It’s satisfying to see your lawn come back.

Green returns with spring, and the maze disappears. Your yard looks fresh and alive again.

Keep up these steps every year.

You keep one step ahead of the voles. They go on to other places.

Your lawn wins.

3. Snow Mold (Fungal Pathogen)

Snow mold creeps into your lawn as the weather cools down. You may notice it when the snow melts, revealing a fuzzy, white or pinkish stain.

It’s a cold-loving, damp-loving fungus, living under the snow. Jump on it when you see it! It will ruin your grass just like that.

To deal with it, rake out the affected areas gently to let the air in. That helps dry it out.

You also want to keep your lawn a little shorter before the snow hits. This way, snow mold won’t have a cozy blanket to hide under. It’s similar to giving your lawn a haircut before winter.

Don’t pile snow up too high in one place, which could make things worse. If the mold persists, you can apply a fungicide. However, with a little care and prevention, you can leave that whole step out most of the time.

Keeping your lawn clean before winter can go a long way. I’ve seen the lawns bounce back in spring just with these simple steps.

Winter lawn care is less about hard work and more about smart choices.

4. Winter Mites (e.g., Clover Mites)

Winter mites sneak up on you!

They can show up out of nowhere, even dead center in the dead of winter — just like clover mites. Those little dudes don’t care about the cold.

In fact, they even thrive in it. They’re small, but they can cause big problems for your lawn. You can identify them by their brick-red color and their penchant for munching on grass and plants.

Why on earth should you care about these little critters?

Small, ugly patches can scar your lawn. This can be really frustrating when you want a green, lush space.

What do you do if you see these mites?

You move quickly.

First, maintain a healthy lawn, because a well-maintained lawn can better resist pests. Water, mow, and feed your lawn even in winter.

Next, prevent these pests from entering your space. You can also use barriers such as gravel or mulch around your lawn.

If they’re still around after this, you can resort to a safe pesticide for mites. Always read the labels to ensure it’s safe for your lawn and pets.

If you want to steer clear of chemicals, you can use natural methods such as essential oils.

Peppermint and clove oils are good too. Spray them around to deter these pests.

You can also introduce natural predators, such as ladybugs, that enjoy munching on mites.

Remember that these mites don’t bite and are not harmful to humans, but they can be a pest.

5. Field Mice

We’ll discuss field mice. These little dudes cause big trouble during winter.

When cold hits, they look for warmth and food, finding their way into lawns.

You may be asking, what do they do to your lawn?

Field mice chew on grass and roots, leaving unsightly patches. They leave behind tunnels and trails, turning your yard into a mini racetrack.

In order to solve the problem, you have to be quick.

Get started by keeping your lawn neat. Remove debris and trim grass on a regular basis. This reduces hiding spots for mice.

If that’s the case, consider laying traps in areas you suspect they visit. Peanut butter works great as bait.

If traps aren’t your cup of tea, you can also use natural repellents. Ingredients such as peppermint oil repel them.

Store firewood and compost away from the house. Seal any gaps in fences or walls. This prevents mice from sneaking onto your lawn.

You want to make sure your space is protected and tidy.

6. Fungus Gnats (in moist environments)

Fungus gnats love wet spots. These tiny, black flies buzz around and take up residence in damp soil.

They appear during winter when the lawns remain soggy. Their larvae eat roots, which is damaging. The result is that healthy grass looks sickly.

You see the yellows start to show up. It feels frustrating. So how do you handle them?

Let it dry out the soil. Allow the top layer to dry out before watering again. This step prevents gnats from laying eggs.

You can also use sticky traps. They catch adult gnats. Neem oil helps too. It interferes with the larvae’s ability to feed. You interrupt their life cycle.

Gnats are leaving. Your lawn starts to breathe again.

Winter pests are annoying.

They strike when you least expect.

Being proactive can help.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a couple of pesky invaders that may plague your lawn this winter.

Voles tunnel complex pathways beneath the ground.

As the snow melts, there is snow mold, and there are winter mites, like clover mites, crawling around looking for food.

Field mice nibble roots, and fungus gnats thrive in damp vacancies.

Each of these critters messes with your yard in its own way.

To fight back, keep grass short before snow, clean up clutter, and watch out for damp patches.

Consider natural pest control options, but call in a pro if things get tricky.

Your lawn deserves some TLC to stay healthy and green, even in winter.

Never allow these pests to start running your life.

For more tips, check out our blog for helpful guides on keeping your lawn in great shape throughout the year.

TurnKey Sod offers premium sod suited for New Orleans’ climate, giving you a head start toward a thriving lawn. Contact us today to learn more!