Hot summer days increase lawn insects (6-14-2010)

As the temperatures rise and our lawns flourish with growth throughout the summer, we will see many more lawn insect pests.

St. Augustine grass lawns are particularly susceptible to chinch bug injury. Centipede and zoysia can have severe infestations of two-lined spittle bugs. Zoysia and bermudagrass can be attacked by specific microscopic mites specific to each species. Lawn caterpillars such as sod webworms, cutworms, and armyworms will feed on all of our turf species. Mole crickets and white grubs of several types of beetles and billbugs can destroy the roots of lawn grasses.

While fire ants, ticks, fleas, slugs and snails do little damage to the turf, they certainly can be annoying and even a liability.

The key to successful lawn insect pest management is weekly scouting for their presence and proper use of insecticides before damaging thresholds are reached. This may require getting on your hands and knees to part the turf canopy to look closely for small immature larvae or nymphs. With root feeders like white grubs, it may require digging into a small square of turf.

To learn more about these insects, their injury symptoms, how to locate and identify them, and insecticides for their control download Extension publication #2331 - Control of Insect Pests in and Around the Home Lawn or obtain a copy from your local Extension office.

Published June 14, 2010

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu