Lawn Insects - What's Bugging Your Lawn?

A thick, healthy lawn is the best defense against damaging pests and diseases. But even a perfect lawn can suffer from an invasion of insects like white grubs, chinch bugs or ants. These critters can ruin your lawn investment if left uncontrolled. IMPORTANT - when using a pest control product to always read the label and follow all of the directions before using.

White Grubs are the most damaging lawn insect in Southern Ontario, Quebec and some areas of the Maritimes. They can destroy a lawn in a few days. Damage appears as dead brown patches in mid August, usually in the sunniest locations. These patches can likely be pulled up like a carpet, as grubs will have eaten the root system. Skunks or raccoons may also pull up these patches overnight. The best time to control grubs is when the larvae are small and actively feeding near the surface. Apply GrubOut in late July / early August. A second application in September may be required to control late hatching larvae. Early spring applications should only be made if the grubs are near the surface.

Ants are more of a nuisance than a serious lawn pest. Anthills and their tunneling can damage your lawn by smothering the grass and drying out the soil. Ants in your lawn left unchecked will find their way into the house. Long term control of ants can only be achieved by destroying the nest. Apply GrubOut^™ directly to the anthills and water in. For more complete control over a larger area, spray the entire lawn, gardens, patio and around the house with special attention to anthills and trails.

Chinch Bugs can cause severe damage to lawns. The Chinch Bug sucks the juices out of the blades of grass causing the lawn to turn yellowish brown, dry up and die. The damage will first be noticed in dry sunny areas and spread out in irregular patches. They attack the grass in mid to late summer usually during dry conditions. To check for Chinch Bugs, remove both ends of a large can and press it 3-5 cm (1 1/2 - 2")into the ground at the edge of a brown patch. Fill the can with water and keep it filled for 10 minutes. Chinch Bugs will float to the surface. They are black to brown insects with white on their wings, approximately 3-5 mm (1/8 ") long. Apply GrubOut^™ as damage is noticed. A second application in 14 days is often required.

Sod Webworm, the larvae of Lawn Moths feed on the blades of grass, chewing them off at ground level. Damage will appear as irregular brown patches scattered in the driest area of the lawn. If left unchecked these patches become larger and the entire lawn can be destroyed. Dead grass will pull away in clumps. The larva are dirty white in colour with dark brown head and rows of dark spots on their back. They live in silky tubes near the roots. The adults are small light coloured moths that fly up from the lawn in the evening when they are disturbed. Damage usually appears in late August and September. Apply GrubOut® when damage is first noticed or when moths are plentiful. For best results apply in the afternoon or evening to a moist lawn.