Chewed foliage and night activity
Some lawn pests feed on leaves and may be easier to detect around dusk or with close inspection.
Look for fresh chewing, caterpillars, frass and a pattern of thinning that has expanded. Do not identify a species from lawn colour alone.
Turf that no longer holds firmly
Root feeding can leave turf weak or unusually easy to lift, but severe drought and root disease can also reduce anchoring.
Check moisture and root condition. A diagnosis should explain why the observed evidence fits a pest better than the alternatives.
Birds feeding on the lawn
Concentrated bird activity can point to insects, but it is not a treatment instruction by itself.
Birds may feed on many organisms. Combine the observation with actual pest or feeding signs before applying an insecticide.
Irrigation, heat, scalping and disease
A dry sprinkler zone, a mower-scalped rise or an expanding disease patch can resemble pest damage.
Compare the patch with sprinkler coverage, mowing lines, sun exposure, recent weather and any lawn products. Treating the wrong cause can delay recovery.
Photograph the pattern and request a check
Send a wide photo, a close view of the turf and any insect found.
Pest treatment can be included when active signs are found during an eligible lawn-treatment visit. Existing turf damage still requires time and suitable care to recover.