Insects in warm-season lawns
As insect pests move and become more problematic in new geographies, turf managers need to expand control programs. Here’s some advice:
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Insects on the move:
- Billbugs (hunting, bluegrass) are present throughout the country, but are becoming a more prolific problem in bermudagrass in southern climates
- Caterpillars are also present throughout the country, and armyworms can spread north in any given summer depending on weather like what occurred in 2021.
- Flea beetles are problematic in the high desert of Nevada and are spreading the Arizona
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Control:
- Best practice is to start applications for white grubs, billbugs, or caterpillars when adults are seen since damaging larvae are observed 1-3 weeks in the future
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Watering in:
- If targeting primarily soil-borne insects like grubs or billbugs, water in insecticides
- If targeting primarily foliar feeders like caterpillars or chinch bugs, watering-in is not essential with Tetrino
- Need more info - Always read and follow the label, and contact your Envu area sales manage if you need assistance
Approximate timing for preventative control of summer insects in golf turf.
Regardless of the pest, most effective application timing is when adults are present.
| May-June | July | August-Sept | Notes | |
| Annual white grubs | Merit 0.4 lbs ai/A |
Water-in with > 0.5" | ||
| Tetrino 32 oz/A |
Water-in with > 0.125-25” Will also control caterpillars later in the summer |
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| Billbugs | Merit 0.4 lbs ai/A |
Water-in with > 0.5” Will also control white grubs later in summer, but may require additional application in marginal weather summers or in high pressure areas |
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| Tetrino 32 oz/A |
Water-in with > 0.125-25” Will also control white grubs and caterpillars later in summer, but may require additional application in marginal weather summers or in high pressure areas |
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| Early summer caterpillars (cutworms or webworms) |
Tetrino 16-32 fl oz/A |
No watering in needed
If also targeting white grubs, use 32 oz/A and/or consider a second application when adult beetles are seen |
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| Late summer/fall caterpillars (armyworm) | Tetrino 16-32 fl oz/A |
No watering in needed
Will provide immediate knockdown plus residual control for 6-8 weeks depending on rate |
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| Hairy chinch bugs | Merit 0.4 lbs ai/A + Tetrino 16-32 fl oz/A |
No watering in needed
Apply when 3rd instar chinch bugs nymphs are present. Apply in enough carrier volume so the products reach the upper thatch |
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| Southern chinch bugs | Tetrino 16-32 fl oz/A + Standard Pyrethroid |
Merit 0.4 lbs ai/A |
Tetrino 16-32 fl oz/A + Standard rate |
No watering in needed
Control of southern chinch bugs all summer long may require sequential applications. Under high pressure, consider adding a pyrethroid. Apply in enough carrier volume so the products reach the upper thatch. |
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Solution sheet - Billbug |
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Solution sheet - Chinch Bug |
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Solution sheet - White grub - warm season |
White grubs control should be applied when adults like these Japanese beetles are detected (Envu)
Controls for black turfgrass Aeteneuis should be applied when adults are detected in the mower baskets (Envu)