# Sod Killing Pests
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White Grubs
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When June beetles, Japanese beetles and European chafers lay eggs within the lawn, these eggs hatch into white grubs. White grubs eat away at your sod's root systems. A heavy infestation of white grubs warrants chemical treatment. To tell if you have a major white grub infestation, cut a 1 square foot piece of sod out of the soil. Count how many white grubs are in the 1 square foot area. If you count more than ten, apply a pesticide to the lawn in the fall. You can manage a minor infestation by allowing the grass to dry out, which would also dry out the beetles' eggs.
Southern Chinch Bug
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Gardeners should monitor their sod for southern chinch bug damage between April through October, according to the University of California. Southern chinch bugs have black bodies with white wings that rest against the body. These pests suck the sap out of the crown and nodes of grass blades. Grass eventually turns yellow and dies out as a result of the damage. Apply a pesticide to kill off your southern chinch worm populations. Avoid mowing or watering the lawn for 24 hours after your pesticide application.
Armyworms
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Armyworms infest yards from the spring to the early fall. These pests get their name by crossing lawns in large groups. You can tell that your sod has been infested by these pests by looking for blades that have been chewed through or dead irregular patches in the yard, according to the University of California. Use a pesticide that contains trichlofon, Bacillus thuringiensis, pyrethroid or carbaryl to control your armyworm infestation, as recommended by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Fiery Skippers
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Adult fiery skippers look like butterflies with hooked knobs at the end of their antennae, according to the University of California. These pests lay eggs within the grass in the early spring. When their larvae hatch, they eat away at sod's grass blades. Gardeners may see grass blade browning, thinning grass or dead patches. Use a pesticide that has an active ingredient such as carbaryl to kill off fiery skippers. Avoid applying any pesticide to water stressed grass.
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