Bianca MullerA lush, green lawn is one of those luxuries in a South African home… until it suddenly isn’t. One week it’s soft underfoot and thriving, the next it’s patchy, yellowing, or mysteriously tunnelling in all the wrong places. More often than not, the culprit isn’t bad luck or poor watering. It’s lawn pests.
South Africa’s climate, especially in warmer regions like Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, creates the perfect breeding ground for a surprising range of insects and burrowing pests. Some are tiny and easy to miss. Others make their presence known in the most dramatic way possible.
Here’s a guide to the most common lawn pests in South Africa, how to identify them, and how to deal with them before they take over your garden.
1. Lawn caterpillars (Armyworms & cutworms)
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How to spot them
- Patchy, “eaten” grass that seems to disappear overnight
- Chewed leaf edges
- Green pellets (frass) near damaged areas
- Active mostly at night or early morning
What’s happening
Armyworms and cutworms are the ultimate overnight destroyers. They feed aggressively on grass blades, often stripping sections of lawn in just a few days.
How to get rid of them
- Apply a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)
- Use targeted insecticides if infestation is severe
- Water the lawn early in the morning to expose caterpillars to birds (natural predators)
- Keep grass slightly longer to discourage egg-laying
2. Mole crickets
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How to spot them
- Spongy, uneven lawn surface
- Small tunnels just beneath the soil
- Grass that lifts easily like carpet
- Brown, dying patches despite watering
What’s happening
These strange-looking insects tunnel through soil, feeding on roots and disturbing the structure of your lawn.
How to get rid of them
- Flood affected areas in the evening to force them up
- Use nematodes (beneficial microscopic organisms)
- Apply mole cricket bait during active months (spring and summer)
- Reduce excessive thatch buildup
3. White grubs (beetle larvae)
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How to spot them
- Birds or animals digging up your lawn
- Grass that peels back easily like loose turf
- Yellowing patches that spread quickly
- Visible C-shaped white larvae in soil
What’s happening
White grubs are the larvae of beetles like chafer and Christmas beetles. They feed on grassroots, weakening large sections of lawn from below.
How to get rid of them
- Apply nematodes specifically designed for grub control
- Use targeted soil insecticides if necessary
- Aerate the lawn to improve soil health
- Avoid overwatering, which attracts beetles to lay eggs
4. Ants (especially lawn-building species)
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How to spot them
- Small mounds of fine soil scattered across lawn
- Dry, uneven patches around nests
- Increased ant activity after rain or watering
What’s happening
While ants don’t always eat grass, their tunnelling disrupts roots and creates dry patches that weaken your lawn over time.
How to get rid of them
- Pour boiling water into active nests (carefully and selectively)
- Use ant bait stations for colony elimination
- Treat soil with garden-safe ant control products
- Keep lawn watered consistently to discourage nesting
5. Sod webworms
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How to spot them
- Irregular brown patches
- Grass blades chewed down to the crown
- Silky webbing near soil surface in early mornings
- Increased moth activity at night
What’s happening
Sod webworms are the larvae of lawn moths and feed at night, hiding during the day.
How to get rid of them
- Use BT-based treatments (very effective for caterpillar species)
- Encourage natural predators like birds
- Mow regularly but avoid cutting too short
- Water in the early morning to expose larvae
6. Grasshoppers
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How to spot them
- Visible jumping insects in the lawn
- Jagged, uneven bite marks on grass
- Damage increasing in hot, dry weather
What’s happening
Grasshoppers thrive in warm, dry conditions and can strip grass blades quickly when populations spike.
How to get rid of them
- Use insecticidal sprays for severe infestations
- Encourage natural predators like birds and praying mantises
- Keep lawn edges trimmed and tidy
- Remove weeds that attract them
7. Mealybugs in grass
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How to spot them
- Sticky patches on grass blades
- White, cotton-like clusters near soil level
- Yellowing and weakening grass over time
What’s happening
Mealybugs feed on plant sap, slowly weakening grass and making it more vulnerable to disease.
How to get rid of them
- Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps
- Improve air circulation by mowing and dethatching
- Avoid over-fertilising, which encourages soft growth they love
8. Lawn thrips
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How to spot them
- Silvery or bronze sheen on grass blades
- Tiny black insects when you inspect closely
- Stunted growth and dry patches
What’s happening
Thrips are tiny but destructive sap-suckers that thrive in hot, dry conditions common in many parts of South Africa.
How to get rid of them
- Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
- Water regularly during dry spells
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisers
- Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds
9. Termites
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How to spot them
- Mud tubes near soil surface or garden edges
- Hollow-sounding patches of lawn
- Dry, dead grass sections that expand slowly
What’s happening
Subterranean termites feed on organic material in soil and can destabilise lawn structure over time.
How to get rid of them
- Professional termite treatment for severe infestations
- Soil barriers or baiting systems
- Remove excess wood, mulch, or dead plant material nearby
- Improve drainage to reduce moisture build-up
10. Snout beetles (weevils)
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How to spot them
- Notched or scalloped grass edges
- Slow-growing, thinning lawn areas
- Beetles visible at night or early morning
What’s happening
Adult weevils feed on grass blades while larvae damage roots, creating a double attack.
How to get rid of them
- Apply targeted insecticides for lawn beetles
- Treat soil for larvae control
- Keep lawn healthy and well-fed to resist damage
- Remove thatch where eggs are laid
Keeping your lawn pest-free
The truth is, lawn pests aren’t a one-season problem in South Africa. Warm temperatures, seasonal rains, and varied soil types mean most gardens will deal with at least one infestation at some point.
The best defence is a simple combination of:
- Regular lawn inspection (especially after rain)
- Healthy soil and proper fertilising
- Not overwatering
- Early intervention before damage spreads
A strong lawn can recover from almost anything, but only if you catch the problem early enough.
ALSO SEE: Waterlogged soil after heavy rain? Here’s what to do
Feature image: Pexels
