Fighting Insects

Detecting and Monitoring Insect Pests:…

Every 7 to 10 days during the growing season, inspect the turf for pests. In the case of insect damage, inspect immediately using the proper technique. Correctly identify the problem before applying a treatment.

Chinch bugs:
Insert a large metal can with both ends cut out (other similar material will work) into the turf in an area where the grass is yellowed and declining. Fill the can with water. Wait 5 minutes for the chinch bugs to float to the top of the water. Examine three or four places in the suspected area. Parting the grass to observe the soil surface for chinch bugs also works. Treat if you find an average of 20 or more chinch bugs per square foot.

Sod webworms, mole crickets, armyworms, and other caterpillars: Mark off a 1-square-yard area in a location of suspected infestation. Mix 2 fluid ounces of liquid dishwashing soap in 4 gallons of water and drench the area with the solution. Insects will emerge to the grass surface. Kneel to observe the area close-ly. Insects will return to the soil in 5 or 10 minutes. If no insects are found, examine other suspected areas. Treat if you find in the 1-square- yard area an average of 40 or more sod webworms; three or more mole crickets; or eight or more caterpillars.

White grubs:
Cut three sides of a 1-square-foot piece of sod about 3 inches deep with a spade at the edge of one of the off-color areas in the turf. Pull or pry the sod black like a flap and examine roots for chewed off remnants and check the soil for grubs. Use your fingers to sift through soil and roots. Treat if you find three or four grubs per square foot.

Other Insects:
Closely examine turf for evidence of damage by other insect pests (ants, bees, wasps, and leafhoppers). Always check the turf where the damaged area meets the green, healthy grass. That is where the insects are likely to be most abundant.