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Lawn Insect Pests
- Follow a few simple rules to avoid most lawn damage from pests -
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Summary: Healthy lawns can tolerate considerable damage from insect pests. Proper irrigation, fertilizing and mowing are far more important than pesticides to control lawn pests. Follow these simple rules and prevent most problems from lawn insects.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Which lawn pests cause damage?
 There are many insects, and a few related arthropods, that can potentially damage lawns in the US. If you need a comprehensive review of all pests at a professional level see the book listed below. For many of us, however, the following few will be the most important ones you'll deal with in home lawns.
Certain crane fly species (right) are emerging pests in some parts of the US and can be particularly damaging to newly planted lawns. Crane fly larvae feed on grass roots during cool parts of the year and can kill large patches of lawn as temperatures rise and the soil dries out.
Mole crickets are pests mainly in the warm, humid southeastern states where their burrowing causes physical damage to soil and lawns.
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European crane fly adult ~ 1-1/2 inch long.
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White grubs feed on grass roots causing considerable damage and dead patches. These large larvae are the immature stage of often ornate beetles like the Japanese beetle. Lawn moth larvae are the caterpillar stage of small moths that feed at the soil surface on stems and grass leaves. And, chinch bugs feed above ground on grass blades. See Related Articles below for pictures, life history and control of these lawn pests.
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Lawn care "rules"
Healthy lawns can sustain and outgrow most damage from lawn pests. This means that by following a few simple rules you can avoid most lawn pests and diseases without using pesticides. The three most important rules for successful home lawn care are:
(1) Don't over water or over fertilize - grass will be more susceptable to insect damage and disease if forced to grow too quickly. Allow grass to go through a natural wet/dry cycle between irrigations. Or, simply stop watering in early summer and allow grass to go dormant during the dry months.
Most lawns need far less fertilizer than they get each year. The excess fertilizer runs off and pollutes rivers and lakes or forces the grass to grow too fast making it susceptable to lawn pests. Established lawns only need a light application of fertilizer twice a year in the spring and fall.
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(2) Test the soil at least every 5 years and add lime and micronutrients as needed. This is probably the most overlooked aspect of lawn care. Check with your local Cooperative Extension (US state Extension office directory) about where you can get your soil tested locally for a small fee. Yearly applications of lime (dolomite lime, not hydrated lime) are needed in many areas in addition to micronutrients.
Last but not least, (3) mow at the proper height for your grass type but most importantly don't mow too close. Many turf managers mow at the highest setting possible for their equipment. Your grass needs some leaf surface (grass blades) in order to be healthy!
If you follow these few simple guidelines you can resist damage from many insect pests and diseases without using chemicals in most years. Plus, if an insect pest or disease does creep in, the lawn will be healthier to begin with and it will be easier to treat the problem.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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Copyright © 2004-... LivingWithBugs, LLC. All rights reserved. Page Updated: 1/19/2010
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