Waves Field Notes
Waves Blog
Banish bugs with pro tips and DIY tricks — expert advice for keeping your Southwest Florida home pest-free year-round.
Why Is My St. Augustine Lawn Turning Brown? (Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish)
Brown St. Augustine grass in Sarasota or Manatee County usually means chinch bugs, a fungus or watering stress. A clue table, five checks and a calendar.
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October lawn & landscape guide
What to watch for in your yard this October
See what's in season for Southwest Florida lawns, shrubs and trees, learn the signs to look for, and get help with changes you notice.
Home pest outlook
Weather-adjusted estimate for this city, not a finding at your home
October · Lawn
Reviewed Oct 2, 2026 · based on UF/IFAS publications
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Tropical sod webworm Peak season St. Augustine, Bermuda, Bahia Notched, chewed blades and ragged patches. The larvae do the damage; moths flying up at dusk mean it is time to look. -
White grubs Peak season All grasses Wilting patches that peel back like carpet, with C-shaped grubs in the soil. Easing next month -
Fall armyworm Peak season All grasses, Bermuda most Large areas browned almost overnight, with caterpillars feeding in groups. Easing next month
Photos: Luiz Puodzius via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0; filvad via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0; Helio Lourencini via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0, resized.
See all 5 October lawn issues →A seasonal level is not a finding on your property and does not mean treatment is needed.
How this guide works →October · Shrubs & trees
Reviewed Oct 2, 2026 · based on UF/IFAS publications
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Ficus whitefly Peak season Ficus hedges A white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems. Easing next month - Chilli thrips Peak season New growth on many shrubs Curled, bronzed or stunted new leaves. Easing next month
- Spider mites Peak season Dry, dusty shrubs Fine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath. Easing next month
Photos: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0, resized.
See all 8 October shrub and tree issues →A seasonal level is not a finding on your property and does not mean treatment is needed.
How this guide works →October · Weeds
Reviewed Oct 2, 2026 · based on UF/IFAS publications
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Dollarweed Peak season Wet spots Round, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet. Easing next month -
Doveweed In season Wet, thin lawns Glossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints. -
Winter weeds (cudweed) In season Thin lawns Flat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photos: Karen Guin via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0; Ian Talty via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0; Sterling Herron via iNaturalist, CC0 1.0, resized.
See all 3 October weed issues →A seasonal level is not a finding on your property and does not mean treatment is needed.
How this guide works →Pest Control
View all 152 pest control articles →Termites
View all 24 termites articles →
Which one is it?
Side-by-side identification hubs for the pests homeowners mix up most.
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One email a month. What's biting, what's blooming, and what we're seeing across SWFL.
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237 posts Why Is My St. Augustine Lawn Turning Brown? (Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish)
Brown St. Augustine grass in Sarasota or Manatee County usually means chinch bugs, a fungus or watering stress. A clue table, five checks an…
Hunter Sprinkler Timer Guide: Run Yours by Hand in SWFL
Which Hunter controller is on your Southwest Florida wall, an honest look at the models, and how to run yours by hand each week. Learn more.…
Rain Bird Sprinkler Timers: How to Run Yours by Hand
Identify your Rain Bird sprinkler timer and run it by hand using your watering plan’s minutes and your current local watering schedule.…
Large Patch in Lakewood Ranch Lawns: Signs and Lookalikes
Learn which signs can suggest large patch, what else to check, and how to document a lawn concern for assessment. Learn more on the Waves bl…
Overwatering Lawn Damage vs. Underwatering: What Each One Actually Does
Overwatering lawn damage and drought damage look identical from the driveway. One starves the roots of oxygen, the other starves the plant o…
Chinch Bugs in Bradenton: Check the Lawn Before Treating
Compare chinch bug clues with other causes of brown grass and record evidence before a lawn assessment. Learn more on the Waves blog.…
Fall Lawn Recovery in Bradenton: An 8-Week Plan for St. Augustine
Bradenton St. Augustine lawns can come out of summer thin. Sort out chinch bugs, fungus and shade first, then feed and patch. Learn more on …
7 Water-Holding Spots to Check Around a Southwest Florida Patio
Seven water-holding spots to check on a Southwest Florida patio each week, based on CDC and Florida health advice. Learn more on the Waves b…
Flea-Borne Diseases in Bradenton, FL: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Fleas can carry a few diseases that affect people and pets. See what CDC and UF/IFAS say about risks for Bradenton homes. Learn more on the …
Copper Mesh in Weep Holes? Pest Exclusion for Sarasota Homes
Copper mesh packed tight in weep holes can block drainage. How to tell weep holes and vents from real pest gaps at a Sarasota home. Learn mo…
Honeybee vs. Yellow Jacket: How to Tell the Difference in Southwest Florida
Fuzzy and mellow, or shiny and pushy? A SWFL homeowner's guide to telling a honey bee from a yellow jacket — plus what to do (and not do) wi…
How to Remove Bermudagrass From St. Augustine Without Killing the Lawn
Recognition plus Fusilade II is the first selective way to take bermudagrass out of St. Augustine. How it works, and the limits nobody menti…
Good News Pest Solutions vs. Waves: An Honest Venice, FL Pest Control Comparison
Comparing Good News Pest Solutions and Waves Pest Control in Venice, FL? An honest side-by-side: services, green options, pricing, and termi…
How to Get Rid of Aquatic Midge Flies in Sarasota (And Finally Enjoy Your Lake Again)
But when they swarm by the thousands, coating walls, cars, and porch lights, they turn lakefront living into a sticky, smelly nightmare.…
Termites in Venice, FL: Species, Signs, and Swarm Seasons
Which termites infest Venice and Sarasota County homes, what signs to look for, UF/IFAS swarm seasons, and what to do first. Learn more on t…
What To Do After a Pest Control Spray in Bradenton, FL
But before you get too cozy, there are a few things every Bradenton, FL homeowner should know — especially if termites were your uninvited g…
The Sarasota Homeowner’s Guide to Termite Infestation: What’s Hiding in Your Walls?
Before panic sets in, let’s talk about what’s real, what’s visible, and what every Sarasota homeowner can actually do about it.…
Get Rid of Phorid Flies in Lakewood Ranch: Because No One Invited Them In
Here’s your key takeaway (so you can stop panicking at 3 a.m. when one lands on your face): Most Phorid fly invasions come from hidden, wet,…
How to Get Rid of Rats in Sarasota (Without Losing Your Sanity)
If you’ve ever woken up to scratching sounds in your attic at 2 a.m., congratulations — you’ve just met Sarasota’s least-wanted house guests…
Do Pest Control Sprays Harm Pets? What Sarasota Pet Owners Should Know
If you’ve ever sprayed your baseboards, stepped back proudly, and then realized your cat is licking the same spot — this one’s for you.…
Get Rid Of Cluster Flies In Lakewood Ranch, FL
During the cooler months here in Central Florida, you might notice weird little fly-clusters near your windows, or in your attic.…
How to Get Rid of Rats in Bradenton: The Real Homeowner’s Guide to a Rat-Free Life
If you’re trying to get rid of rats in Bradenton, start with a professional inspection to locate nests and entry points.…
The Types of Mites You’ll Meet in Bradenton, Florida (and How to Kick Them Out)
These microscopic freeloaders love Bradenton’s warm, humid climate almost as much as tourists love the beaches—and unlike tourists, they don…
Pre-Emergent Weed Control: Because Weeds Don’t Take a Vacation in Lakewood Ranch
Pre-emergent weed control isn’t just some optional add-on for the obsessively perfect neighbor with a lawn so green it looks Photoshopped.…
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