Insects, your lawn and how to eliminate them
Chinch bugs, army worms and grubs can wreak havoc in your lawn almost overnight. Before you put down any lawn chemicals make sure that insects are really the problem. Insect damage can be similar to fungus damage but here are a few things to remember about insects.
Insects are cold-blooded creatures and thrive in the heat. As summer progresses insect populations explode. Homeowners might not notice any damage until August or September when insect populations are at their height. Insect damage is usually always seen in full sun areas of the lawn. If you see damage in a shady area it could be fungus.
Grubs in the lawn
Grub damage usually is first noticed in June and will be irregular yellowing of the grass. Your first thoughts are that grass may need fertilizing or watering. After fertilizing, the lawn will still look weak and thinning out. Apply a granular insecticide such as Bug Blaster and a slow-release organic fertilizer such as Milorganite. Recovery will take 4 weeks or more. It is important to note that grubs feed on plant roots all winter and spring. An application of Bug Blaster in fall and spring will prevent damage from showing up in early summer.
Chinch bugs and their elimination
Chinch Bug damage usually begins near a heat source such as a sidewalk, driveway or street. The damaged lawn can look like drought stress but after watering the grass still looks dry. The tiny chinch bug can be found at the base of the grass plant sucking out the plant’s moisture. The chinch bug can also spread other lawn diseases to the grass plants. Thousands of chinch bugs can infest the lawn and spread quickly in a large mass from the heat source. We recommend you use a hose-end lawn insect spray for quick results. A fungicide should also be applied.
Army worm infestation
Army worms or sod webworms usually show up in late summer. The symptoms look like the lawn is going dormant early. You may have noticed earlier in the summer small white or gray moths flying up as you walk across the lawn. Several applications of a liquid lawn insecticide should be applied every 1 to 2 weeks. We also have a organic spray which will quickly kill the caterpillars. Because the grass is going dormant anyway the plants may not recover until spring, be sure to add some Milorganite to your lawn in March to help with the recovery.
Need specialized assistance? Give us a call at 843.559.5829 for personalized lawn care recommendations.
