There are many pests that can be problematic for lawns. Pests eat away at the grass or roots, sometimes causing major damage. Pests harbour in thatchy lawns so keep lawns clean of thatch and apply a pest control product to prevent damage from occurring.
Some of the more common lawn pests are listed below.
Argentine Stem Weevils are small, grey-brown insects that feed on grass leaves, causing minimal damage. The real threat comes from their larvae, which tunnel into the grass stems. As they grow, they consume the stem from the inside, resulting in wilted and weakened plants. Damage is most noticeable during the warmer months when stressed plants struggle to survive.
Acelepryn effectively controls adult weevils but does not reach larvae protected inside the stems. For best results, apply Acelepryn in mid-September to target overwintering adults. Repeat applications may be necessary in cases of heavy infestations.
Black Beetle can cause significant damage to lawns, especially during the summer when roots are eaten by both adults and larvae, causing grass to wither and die under the heat. To check for an infestation, pour a bucket of soapy water onto the lawn – if Black Beetle is present, they will float to the surface. A small number usually isn’t a problem, but larger populations can severely damage your lawn.
Acelepryn can be applied as a preventative treatment in early to mid-October or any time to control an existing infestation.
Black Field Crickets are about 2.5 cm long, and adult males make a familiar chirping sound by rubbing their wings together. They can damage lawns during summer and early autumn by inhabiting cracks in the soil and feeding on the base of surrounding grass, causing it to die. Cracked soils are typically clay-based.
To help prevent crickets, keep your lawn well watered to reduce soil cracking.
Grass Grub can quietly damage your lawn by feeding on the roots, causing grass to wither and die in the summer heat. They often return to the same lawns each year and the damage can easily be mistaken for a lawn that is simply lacking water.
Acelepryn is an effective preventative treatment when applied before summer and can also be used at other times to control existing infestations.
Porina caterpillars can cause significant damage to lawns. They live in tunnels in the soil and emerge at night to feed on grass. You can often spot their tunnel entrances as small holes covered with soil castings. Damage is most common in late autumn and winter.
Treatment is available with products such as Acelepryn or other suitable insecticides, ideally applied later in the day before the caterpillars come out to feed. Please note that most other insecticides must be applied by an Approved Chemical Handler.