Test Before Treating the Lawn

Insects can damage our lawns, but many of the insects in the soil are essential for creating and maintaining healthy soil and plants. So make sure insects are the cause of your failing lawn before breaking out the sprayer.

Test several areas and make sure there are enough problem insects present to warrant treatment. If control is needed, select the most eco-friendly option available. Be sure to read and follow label directions when using any natural or synthetic control.

For grubs, cut and remove a one square foot area of grass. Check the top 4 to 6 inches for the white worm-like grubs. Replace the grass and keep the soil moist, so it re-roots.

Use the flotation test to bring chinch bugs to the surface for easy detection. The irritation test uses a mixture of 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap in a gallon of water to help move sod webworms into view.

A bit more information: Reduce the risk of insect and disease problems with proper lawn care. Mow high, leave short clippings on the lawn and fertilize according to your soil test report.