LANDSCAPE & LAWN PESTS
Healthy lawns and landscapes are teaming with insect life. Yet, very few of the species you see in your backyard are damaging (it is estimated that less than 1% of all insect species are pests). The point here, is that once lawn pests are discovered don't go crazy and spray all kinds of harmful chemicals to eradicate the problem. Broad-spectrum insecticides kill all insects, both good and bad. And when you kill off the good (the ones after the pests, too!), you inherit their work.
One of the first steps to controlling lawn pests (without worry) requires a basic understanding of the insect itself. Knowing the life-cycle can help determine what control measures should be used and when they will be most effective. A common-sense approach to pest control involves using least-toxic methods first -- barriers & repellents, beneficial insects, biological pesticides, soaps and oils -- with the more toxic (but short lived) botanical insecticides used only if necessary.
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Ant
Where: Pestiferous in landscaped areas where they protect aphids and other pest insects. |
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Aphids
Where: In clusters under leaves and on new growth. |
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Black Vine Weevil
Where: Leaves of rhododendrons, azaleas, yews, hemlocks, and many other ornamentals. |
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Chinch Bug
Where: Lawns may be severely damaged. Chinch bugs are most damaging in open, sunny areas. |
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Deer
Where: Browsers are found nibbling on tender perennials and young trees. |
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Dog & Cat
Where: May cause considerable damage by digging, urinating and defecating in landscaped areas. |
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Dollar Spot
Where: A disease of closely mowed lawns. Appears as brown spots the size of a silver dollar. |
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Earwig
Where: Leaves, flowers and shoots of most vegetables, flowers and ornamentals. |
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Fairy Rings
Where: On lawns during spring and summer months. Rings appear as dark green bands ranging in size. |
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Fire Ant
Where: Found in 13 southern states where they build mounds in the soil. Known for their painful sting and aggressive behavior. |
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Flea
Where: On and around pets inside and out. |
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Grasshopper
Where: One of the most destructive insect pests attacking small trees, shrubs and gardens. |
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Japanese Beetle
Where: Throughout the eastern United States on flowers, fruits and leaves. Larvae are damaging to lawns. |
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Mole
Where: In lawns and landscaped areas where they dig tunnels and push up mounds of earth. |
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Mosquito
Where: Worldwide, especially around damp or flooded areas. |
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Slug & Snail
Where: On a variety of living plants as well as on decaying plant material. |
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Sod Webworm
Where: Feeding on grass leaves and stems near the soil surface. |
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Sowbug (Pillbug)
Where: On decaying matter; occasionally on seedlings, new roots and lower leaves. |
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Spider Mite
Where: In colonies, mostly on the underside of leaves. |
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Thrips
Where: Leaves, fruits and flowers of many plants. |
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Tick
Where: Found throughout the world, ticks transmit a wide variety of pathogens. |
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Whitefly
Where: Leaves, flowers and fruits of many vegetable and ornamental plantings. |
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Yellow Jacket
Where: Pestiferous around picnics, trash cans, and hummingbird feeders. |
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