10 Signs of Pest Damage in Your Yard

A well-manicured yard is perfect for relaxing after a long day or entertaining guests on the weekends. But if your yard is overrun with pests, it can be difficult to enjoy it. Pests can be unsightly and also cause serious damage to your property. From termites that can destroy the structural integrity of your home to rodents that damage your property, it's important to be on the lookout for signs of pests in your yard so you can take steps to get rid of them.

Here are ten signs that there may be pests lurking in your yard.

1. Damaged Trees and Shrubs

Pests like termites, carpenter ants, and borers can cause serious damage to trees and shrubs. Termites eat away at the wood of trees and shrubs from the inside out, while carpenter ants excavate tunnels through the wood. Borers tunnel into the bark of trees and shrubs, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients and ultimately killing the plant. Call a certified arborist to check for any vulnerable trees around your property if you notice any of these signs on your trees or shrubs. You can also try out some DIY termite control tips to protect your home.

2. Sticky Leaves

If you notice sticky leaves on your plants, it's likely due to aphids—tiny insects that feed on plant sap. Aphids can cause serious damage to plants by sucking out too much sap, which weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to disease. To get rid of aphids, spray them with water from a hose or an insecticide labeled for aphids. You can also introduce predators like ladybugs or green lacewings into your garden, which will help control the aphid population naturally.

3. Chewed Leaves

Chewed leaves on your plants are a sure sign of pests in your yard. This damage is typically caused by caterpillars, which feed on leaves for sustenance. To get rid of caterpillars, handpick them off plants or spray them with an insecticide labeled for caterpillars. You can also introduce predators like ladybugs or green lacewings into your garden, which will help control the caterpillar population naturally.

4. Holes in Fruits and Vegetables

Holes in fruits and vegetables are another telltale sign of pests in your garden. These holes are typically made by beetles or earwigs feeding on the fruit or vegetable itself. To get rid of these pests, handpick them off plants or spray them with an insecticide labeled for beetles or earwigs. You can also try setting out traps baited with a sweet liquid like fruit juice. This will attract earwigs, which will then drown in the trap.

5. Dead Patches of Grass

If you notice dead patches of grass in your yard, it could be due to grubs—the larvae of Japanese beetles, European chafers, and May/June beetles. Grubs feed on the roots of grass plants, causing the plant to die. If you suspect grubs are the culprit, lift up a section of affected turf. If there are more than ten grubs per square foot, you'll need to treat your lawn with a lawn insecticide.

6. Galls

Galls are abnormal growths that occur on plants when insects lay their eggs inside plant tissue. The larva hatches and feeds on the plant tissue as it grows, causing deformities in the plant's growth pattern. Some galls may simply be cosmetic defects, while others can seriously weaken or kill the plant outright. If you notice galls on your plants, prune off affected areas and dispose of them in the trash—do not compost them.

7 . Muddy trails

If you notice muddy trails leading away from ponds or other bodies of water in your yard, it's likely due to muskrats—rodents that burrow into banks near ponds and lakes in search of food (namely aquatic plants). Muskrats can cause serious erosion problems as their burrowing undermines banks and causes them to collapse into ponds and lakes. To get rid of muskrats, set out live traps baited with fresh fruits or vegetables near their burrows.

8 . Tunnels in Soil

If you notice tunnels in soil throughout your yard, chances are good that you have moles. Moles are small mammals that tunnel through soil in search of food (mainly earthworms and grubs). While moles don't typically cause serious damage to gardens, their tunnels can make yards unsightly. To get rid of moles, set out live traps baited with fresh earthworms near their tunnels.

9. Holes Chewed Through Walls and Floors Around Your Home

Mice, rats, and other rodents can cause serious damage to your home if they get inside. These pests will chew through walls and floors searching for food and nesting materials. If you notice holes chewed through walls or floors around your home, you need to assess the situation immediately. Mice and rats can carry diseases, so taking care of the problem as soon as possible is important. The good thing is that getting rid of rodents with DIY pest control solutions is easy.

10. Cobwebs on Your Plants

If you notice cobwebs on your plants, it's likely due to spider mites—tiny spider-like pests that feed on plant sap. Spider mites can cause serious damage to plants by sucking out too much sap, which weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to disease. If you have cobwebs on the edges of your yard where there are no plants, it might be due to grass spiders—a type of spider that doesn't typically cause damage to gardens. These are easy to get rid of with a few sprays from a hose.

Learn How to Identify Pest Damage and How to Get Rid of Them

Pests can wreak havoc on yards large and small—but fortunately, there are steps homeowners can take to get rid of them. By being vigilant for signs of pest damage and taking action immediately, you can keep your yard looking its best all season long. You don't even have to call a professional exterminator. You can quickly find professional-grade pest control products trusted by professionals and follow instructions on how to use them.

DIY pest control can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars in exterminator fees, so it's worth learning about the most common pests in your area and what you can do to get rid of them. With a little effort and knowledge, you can keep your yard looking great and free of pests.