If you have an infestation of a lawn-destroying insect, you’ve come to the right place. This article will show you how to get rid of Cutworms, Sod webworms, Chinch bugs, and ants. These insects can cause significant damage to your lawn and need immediate attention to avoid further damage. Follow these steps to win the war against lawn-destroying insects.
Cutworms
If you’re looking for a natural solution to your cutworm problem, you might want to consider using a nematode. These creatures are a beneficial predator of cutworms, and you can purchase Steinernema carpocapsae commercially. They can be effective in sandy and loamy soils, but they’re very susceptible to drying out, so you should look for alternate sources of food, such as compost. Fungus gnat larvae are also the main food source for these creatures, so you should leave compost on your lawn to encourage them to feed.
You can also apply a natural bacterial insecticide that targets caterpillars. It’s important to use a product that’s labeled as being safe for humans, and Btk is widely available under several trade names. To use Btk, always read the label and follow the directions carefully. You can apply it on your lawn in the morning or evening, as cutworms prefer to hide under tall grass and decaying vegetation.
Sod webworms
Sod webworms are the larval stage of a white-brown moth. They have two to three generations a year. In late spring, they emerge from their cocoons and feed on grass blades. Later, the young larvae pupate and turn into adult moths. You can kill sod webworms using pesticides. The war against sod webworms is not over until you know how to eliminate the insects from your lawn.
A thorough inspection of your lawn is essential to catching pests in the early stages. Sod webworm larvae feed mostly at night, so they are hard to detect during the day. If you see signs of them, you can apply a solution that contains 2 tablespoons of lemon-scented dish detergent to one gallon of water. Leave the solution on the damaged area for 30 minutes and repeat the process if necessary.
Chinch bugs
While chinch bugs can cause significant damage to your lawn, you may not realize their presence until late in the summer or fall. These tiny, obnoxious pests can cause large, irregular patches of dead grass. Typically, they overwinter in dead grasses and debris. They are most common in the late spring and early summer, when the weather is warm and dry. Chinch bugs are also most common in lawns with a lot of thatch. For best results, you should treat only the areas affected by chinch bugs, and leave a 10 to the 15-foot buffer zone. Never treat your entire lawn with pesticides.
Managing the chinch bug population starts with proper lawn maintenance. First, you must reduce the thatch in your lawn. This will make the other control measures more effective. Thatch is the layer of dead grass between soil and green grass. Thatch provides a safe haven for the chinch bugs, as it chemically binds with many pesticides. Secondly, you should avoid overwatering your lawn, since chinch bugs prefer a dry climate. This will prevent chinch bugs from laying eggs and will reduce the number of diseases in their population.
Ants
Ants are fascinating creatures that are known for their complex societies, fungus-farming techniques, and global empire. Unfortunately, they aren’t exactly collectively intelligent. If you notice ants in your lawn, you may want to learn how to kill them. Although ants generally don’t bother us, you should still take steps to get rid of them for good. Here are some simple tips that will help you get rid of these pests.
First, eliminate the nest. While killing the ants in the ant mound may seem like the easiest option, ants often live in an underground chamber that is too small for any ant control solution. While many products will kill the ants in the ant mound, they won’t reach the queen. Instead, a bait is a much more effective solution. This method is also less damaging to beneficial insects like aphids.
Ticks
Ticks like moist, shaded areas. Avoid brushy areas and replace them with well-trimmed turfgrass and mulch. Remove any outdoor living spaces, such as swing sets, that are in the woods, or place gravel to block ticks from entering your yard. Use tick repellent for clothing and skin. Permethrin repellent is most effective at preventing tick bites. You may also want to consider hiring a pest management company.
To keep ticks from living on your lawn, begin by checking it regularly for signs of infestation. Ticks are shy and like places with shade, cover, and moisture. They rarely fly more than a few feet. They stay near the ground moist, latching onto a leg and moving up your body. Ticks can also carry diseases, so you should treat them as soon as you notice them.
Want to Renovate Your Landscape?
Are you ready for your next exterior project? If your pests have destroyed your landscape, talk to the expert team at Huizar’s Landscape about starting a full-fledged landscaping project for your outdoor space. They are the experts in landscaping renovations in San Diego County.
