Large patch
Peak seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Tools · Lawn & landscape
Southwest Florida lawn & landscape calendar
Month by month: which insects, diseases and weeds are in season for St. Augustine, Bahia, Zoysia and Bermuda lawns, shrubs, palms and citrus from Bradenton to North Port, and what each one looks like.
Request a lawn inspectionOctober
A seasonal level is not a finding on your property and does not mean treatment is needed. Seeing a sign? Compare it in Photo ID or ask us to look.
January: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Shrubs & trees
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Photo: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
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Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Winter weeds (cudweed)
Peak seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photo: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in January.
Low year-round, still possible in January:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Florida wax scale
- Potassium deficiency
- Dollarweed
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
February: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Large patch
Peak seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Easing next monthShrubs & trees
Aphids
Peak seasonClusters on tender shoots, with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Photo: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Winter weeds (cudweed)
Peak seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photo: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in February.
Low year-round, still possible in February:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Spider mites
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Florida wax scale
- Potassium deficiency
- Dollarweed
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
March: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Large patch
In seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Shrubs & trees
Aphids
Peak seasonClusters on tender shoots, with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Asian citrus psyllid
Peak seasonTiny insects tilted head-down on new citrus growth.
Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Easing next monthPhoto: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Winter weeds (cudweed)
Peak seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Easing next monthPhoto: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in March.
Low year-round, still possible in March:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Spider mites
- Citrus leafminer
- Florida wax scale
- Potassium deficiency
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
April: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Fall armyworm
Peak seasonLarge areas browned almost overnight, with caterpillars feeding in groups.
Looks like: sod webworm, but the damage is even and fast.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Helio Lourencini via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
In seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Large patch
In seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Shrubs & trees
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Aphids
Peak seasonClusters on tender shoots, with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Asian citrus psyllid
Peak seasonTiny insects tilted head-down on new citrus growth.
Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus leafminer
Peak seasonSilvery, winding trails inside young leaves, which curl.
Photo: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
In seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Photo: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Winter weeds (cudweed)
In seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photo: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in April.
Low year-round, still possible in April:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Potassium deficiency
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
- Citrus greening
May: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Fall armyworm
Peak seasonLarge areas browned almost overnight, with caterpillars feeding in groups.
Looks like: sod webworm, but the damage is even and fast.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Helio Lourencini via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Chinch bugs
Peak seasonYellow-to-brown patches in the sunniest, driest spots, often along drives.
Looks like: drought, but water doesn't bring it back.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Leila Dasher via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
In seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Peak season starts next month
Gray leaf spot
In seasonGray-brown oval spots with dark borders on the blades.
Peak season starts next monthPhoto: 余世文 via Wikimedia Commons , CC0 1.0, resized.
Large patch
In seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Photo: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Asian citrus psyllid
Peak seasonTiny insects tilted head-down on new citrus growth.
Easing next monthPhoto: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus leafminer
Peak seasonSilvery, winding trails inside young leaves, which curl.
Easing next monthPhoto: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nutsedge
Peak seasonBright green, upright clumps that outgrow the lawn. Pulling alone rarely controls an established patch.
Looks like: a grass weed, but the stem is triangular.
Photo: ni_ki via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Green kyllinga
Peak seasonLow, dense mats of bright green sedge with round seed heads.
Photo: Ben Machado via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
In seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Peak season starts next monthPhoto: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in May.
Low year-round, still possible in May:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Aphids
- Potassium deficiency
- Citrus greening
June: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Chinch bugs
Peak seasonYellow-to-brown patches in the sunniest, driest spots, often along drives.
Looks like: drought, but water doesn't bring it back.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Leila Dasher via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
Peak seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Gray leaf spot
Peak seasonGray-brown oval spots with dark borders on the blades.
Photo: 余世文 via Wikimedia Commons , CC0 1.0, resized.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Photo: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Potassium deficiency
Peak seasonOlder fronds with yellow-orange spots and dead, frizzled tips.
Looks like: disease, but it starts on the oldest fronds.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nutsedge
Peak seasonBright green, upright clumps that outgrow the lawn. Pulling alone rarely controls an established patch.
Looks like: a grass weed, but the stem is triangular.
Photo: ni_ki via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
Peak seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Photo: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Green kyllinga
Peak seasonLow, dense mats of bright green sedge with round seed heads.
Photo: Ben Machado via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in June.
Low year-round, still possible in June:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Citrus greening
July: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Chinch bugs
Peak seasonYellow-to-brown patches in the sunniest, driest spots, often along drives.
Looks like: drought, but water doesn't bring it back.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Leila Dasher via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
Peak seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Gray leaf spot
Peak seasonGray-brown oval spots with dark borders on the blades.
Photo: 余世文 via Wikimedia Commons , CC0 1.0, resized.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Photo: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Potassium deficiency
Peak seasonOlder fronds with yellow-orange spots and dead, frizzled tips.
Looks like: disease, but it starts on the oldest fronds.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nutsedge
Peak seasonBright green, upright clumps that outgrow the lawn. Pulling alone rarely controls an established patch.
Looks like: a grass weed, but the stem is triangular.
Photo: ni_ki via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
Peak seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Photo: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Green kyllinga
Peak seasonLow, dense mats of bright green sedge with round seed heads.
Photo: Ben Machado via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in July.
Low year-round, still possible in July:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Citrus greening
August: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
White grubs
Peak seasonWilting patches that peel back like carpet, with C-shaped grubs in the soil.
Looks like: drought stress, but the turf lifts with no roots.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: filvad via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chinch bugs
Peak seasonYellow-to-brown patches in the sunniest, driest spots, often along drives.
Looks like: drought, but water doesn't bring it back.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Leila Dasher via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
Peak seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Gray leaf spot
Peak seasonGray-brown oval spots with dark borders on the blades.
Easing next monthPhoto: 余世文 via Wikimedia Commons , CC0 1.0, resized.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Photo: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Citrus leafminer
Peak seasonSilvery, winding trails inside young leaves, which curl.
Photo: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Potassium deficiency
Peak seasonOlder fronds with yellow-orange spots and dead, frizzled tips.
Looks like: disease, but it starts on the oldest fronds.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nutsedge
Peak seasonBright green, upright clumps that outgrow the lawn. Pulling alone rarely controls an established patch.
Looks like: a grass weed, but the stem is triangular.
Photo: ni_ki via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
Peak seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Photo: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Green kyllinga
Peak seasonLow, dense mats of bright green sedge with round seed heads.
Photo: Ben Machado via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in August.
Low year-round, still possible in August:
- Tropical sod webworm
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus greening
September: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Tropical sod webworm
Peak seasonNotched, chewed blades and ragged patches. The larvae do the damage; moths flying up at dusk mean it is time to look.
Looks like: chinch bug or drought patches, but the blades are chewed.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Luiz Puodzius via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
White grubs
Peak seasonWilting patches that peel back like carpet, with C-shaped grubs in the soil.
Looks like: drought stress, but the turf lifts with no roots.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: filvad via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Fall armyworm
Peak seasonLarge areas browned almost overnight, with caterpillars feeding in groups.
Looks like: sod webworm, but the damage is even and fast.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Helio Lourencini via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Chinch bugs
Peak seasonYellow-to-brown patches in the sunniest, driest spots, often along drives.
Looks like: drought, but water doesn't bring it back.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Leila Dasher via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
Peak seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Easing next month Gray leaf spot
In seasonGray-brown oval spots with dark borders on the blades.
Photo: 余世文 via Wikimedia Commons , CC0 1.0, resized.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Photo: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Spider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Asian citrus psyllid
Peak seasonTiny insects tilted head-down on new citrus growth.
Photo: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus leafminer
Peak seasonSilvery, winding trails inside young leaves, which curl.
Photo: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Potassium deficiency
Peak seasonOlder fronds with yellow-orange spots and dead, frizzled tips.
Looks like: disease, but it starts on the oldest fronds.
Easing next month Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Photo: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nutsedge
Peak seasonBright green, upright clumps that outgrow the lawn. Pulling alone rarely controls an established patch.
Looks like: a grass weed, but the stem is triangular.
Easing next monthPhoto: ni_ki via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
Peak seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Easing next monthPhoto: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Green kyllinga
Peak seasonLow, dense mats of bright green sedge with round seed heads.
Easing next monthPhoto: Ben Machado via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in September.
Low year-round, still possible in September:
- Aphids
- Citrus greening
October: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Tropical sod webworm
Peak seasonNotched, chewed blades and ragged patches. The larvae do the damage; moths flying up at dusk mean it is time to look.
Looks like: chinch bug or drought patches, but the blades are chewed.
Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Luiz Puodzius via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
White grubs
Peak seasonWilting patches that peel back like carpet, with C-shaped grubs in the soil.
Looks like: drought stress, but the turf lifts with no roots.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: filvad via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Fall armyworm
Peak seasonLarge areas browned almost overnight, with caterpillars feeding in groups.
Looks like: sod webworm, but the damage is even and fast.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Helio Lourencini via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Mole crickets
Peak seasonRaised tunnels and spongy soil that feels loose underfoot.
Looks like: animal digging, but with tunnels near the surface.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Edwin Wilke via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Take-all root rot
In seasonThinning, yellow turf with short, dark roots. Roots are hit weeks before leaves show it.
Looks like: drought or nutrient problems.
Shrubs & trees
Ficus whitefly
Peak seasonA white cloud when you brush the hedge, then leaf drop and thin, bare stems.
Easing next monthPhoto: Christine Melvin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Chilli thrips
Peak seasonCurled, bronzed or stunted new leaves.
Looks like: herbicide drift or cold injury.
Easing next monthSpider mites
Peak seasonFine speckling on leaves, sometimes with fine webbing underneath.
Easing next month Asian citrus psyllid
Peak seasonTiny insects tilted head-down on new citrus growth.
Easing next monthPhoto: Sandra H Statner via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Citrus leafminer
Peak seasonSilvery, winding trails inside young leaves, which curl.
Easing next monthPhoto: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Photo: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Photo: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Dollarweed
Peak seasonRound, coin-shaped leaves spreading where the lawn stays wet.
Easing next monthPhoto: Karen Guin via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Doveweed
In seasonGlossy, grass-like leaves that creep and root at the joints.
Photo: Ian Talty via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Winter weeds (cudweed)
In seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photo: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in October.
Low year-round, still possible in October:
- Chinch bugs
- Aphids
- Potassium deficiency
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
Plan ahead
- Large patch starts in November. October is the preventive window on St. Augustine and Zoysia.
- Winter weeds are starting. October and November are the pre-emergent window.
November: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Tropical sod webworm
Peak seasonNotched, chewed blades and ragged patches. The larvae do the damage; moths flying up at dusk mean it is time to look.
Looks like: chinch bug or drought patches, but the blades are chewed.
Easing next month Signs, photos and next steps →Photo: Luiz Puodzius via iNaturalist , CC BY 4.0, resized.
Large patch
In seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Peak season starts next monthShrubs & trees
Florida wax scale
Peak seasonWhite waxy bumps along stems, with yellowing and sooty mold.
Easing next monthPhoto: Agnes Trekker via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Photo: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Winter weeds (cudweed)
In seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Peak season starts next monthPhoto: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in November.
Low year-round, still possible in November:
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Potassium deficiency
- Dollarweed
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
Plan ahead
- Winter weeds are still in the pre-emergent window.
December: what's in season in Southwest Florida yards
Lawn
Large patch
Peak seasonYellow-orange rings that brown as nights cool. Blades pull free at the base.
Looks like: take-all, but the rot is at the leaf base, not the roots.
Shrubs & trees
Citrus greening
Info onlyBlotchy, uneven yellowing on leaves and small, lopsided fruit.
Looks like: nutrient deficiency, but the yellowing is not symmetrical.
Photo: USDAgov via Wikimedia Commons , public domain, resized.
Ganoderma butt rot
Info onlyA shelf-like conk at the trunk base. The palm can fall; call an arborist.
Photo: Jade Fortnash via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Weeds
Winter weeds (cudweed)
Peak seasonFlat rosettes appearing as nights cool.
Photo: Sterling Herron via iNaturalist , CC0 1.0, resized.
Nothing in this category is in season in December.
Low year-round, still possible in December:
- Tropical sod webworm
- White grubs
- Fall armyworm
- Mole crickets
- Chinch bugs
- Ficus whitefly
- Chilli thrips
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Asian citrus psyllid
- Citrus leafminer
- Florida wax scale
- Potassium deficiency
- Dollarweed
- Nutsedge
- Green kyllinga
The full year at a glance
Peak season In season Low year-round blank = off season
| Issue | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn | ||||||||||||
| Tropical sod webworm St. Augustine, Bermuda, Bahia | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Low year-round | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Peak season | December: Low year-round |
| White grubs All grasses | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Low year-round | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Fall armyworm All grasses, Bermuda most | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Mole crickets Bahia, Bermuda | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Peak season | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Chinch bugs St. Augustine | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Low year-round | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Take-all root rot St. Augustine, Bermuda | January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: In season | May: In season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: In season | November: Off season | December: Off season |
| Gray leaf spot St. Augustine | January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: Off season | May: In season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: In season | October: Off season | November: Off season | December: Off season |
| Large patch St. Augustine, Zoysia | January: Peak season | February: Peak season | March: In season | April: In season | May: In season | June: Off season | July: Off season | August: Off season | September: Off season | October: Off season | November: In season | December: Peak season |
| Shrubs & trees | ||||||||||||
| Ficus whitefly Ficus hedges | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Chilli thrips New growth on many shrubs | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Spider mites Dry, dusty shrubs | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Aphids New growth | January: Low year-round | February: Peak season | March: Peak season | April: Peak season | May: Low year-round | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Low year-round | October: Low year-round | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Asian citrus psyllid Citrus new flush | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Peak season | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Citrus leafminer Young citrus leaves | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Florida wax scale Hollies and other shrubs | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Peak season | December: Low year-round |
| Potassium deficiency Palms | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Low year-round | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Low year-round | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Ganoderma butt rot (info) Palms | January: In season | February: In season | March: In season | April: In season | May: In season | June: In season | July: In season | August: In season | September: In season | October: In season | November: In season | December: In season |
| Citrus greening (info) Citrus | January: Peak season | February: Peak season | March: Peak season | April: Low year-round | May: Low year-round | June: Low year-round | July: Low year-round | August: Low year-round | September: Low year-round | October: Peak season | November: Peak season | December: Peak season |
| Weeds | ||||||||||||
| Dollarweed Wet spots | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Peak season | April: Peak season | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Peak season | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Nutsedge Irrigated lawns | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Low year-round | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Doveweed Wet, thin lawns | January: Off season | February: Off season | March: Off season | April: In season | May: In season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: In season | November: Off season | December: Off season |
| Green kyllinga Wet lawns | January: Low year-round | February: Low year-round | March: Low year-round | April: Low year-round | May: Peak season | June: Peak season | July: Peak season | August: Peak season | September: Peak season | October: Low year-round | November: Low year-round | December: Low year-round |
| Winter weeds (cudweed) Thin lawns | January: Peak season | February: Peak season | March: Peak season | April: In season | May: Off season | June: Off season | July: Off season | August: Off season | September: Off season | October: In season | November: In season | December: Peak season |
How this guide works
- Area
- Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. One guide for the whole area; it does not change by city.
- Levels
- Peak season = the months our catalog marks as peak; for diseases and plant disorders, the months symptoms are easiest to see. In season = other active months, or every month for an issue present all year with no peak. Low year-round = present all year, outside its peak. These are seasonal patterns, not forecasts or findings.
- Sources
- University of Florida IFAS Extension and FDACS publications on Florida turf, landscape pests and diseases. Using their publications does not mean UF/IFAS reviewed or endorses this guide.
- Reviewed
- By Waves Pest Control, Oct 2, 2026.