Troublesome lawn insects
- Grubs
The larval stage of many different beetles, including the Japanese
beetle. The grub lives below ground and feeds on the roots of tender
grass plants that soon kills the plant. They are most destructive
mid-late summer, but the damage they cause may not show up until early
fall and by then, it's too late. Curatively, the best time to control
grubs is in early summer, just after they hatch. At this time they
are very susceptible to treatment and just before they start causing
extensive damage to your lawn. At TurfMasters we apply a preventative
grub treatment with Merit, providing you with guaranteed season-long
control.
- Chinchbugs
Chinchbugs are surface-feeding insects.
Adult chinchbugs are about 1/4 of an inch long and
black with white wings folded over their backs. The insect mates
early in the season when the temperature reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The female lays eggs on roots, stems, leaves, leaf sheaths or crevices
in nodes and other protected places. Eggs are laid over a 2 to 3
week period, with one female laying as many as 500 eggs. Chinchbugs
feed on turfgrass by sucking out plant juices and injecting salivary
fluids into the leaves and stems, causing the plant to turn yellow
before it becomes brown. Hot, dry, sunny conditions favor chinchbug
activity.
Regular moisture increases levels of naturally occurring fungi
that help keep chinch bugs in check.
- Sod Webworm
Small, beige adult webworm moths start flying over lawn areas during
early summer. If lots of sod webworm moths are observed in the evening,
watch for damage in about 10 to 14 days. This is when their eggs begin
to hatch into caterpillars. These caterpillars chew off the grass
blades close to the soil surface leaving brown stubble as damage.
Early August is typically when we see the heaviest damage, although
sometimes damage is also heavy in June. Insecticides should be applied
to the surface of damaged areas.
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lawn care programs.
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