Insects
While some insects can become numerous enough to do serious damage, they're blamed for more lawn issues than they actually
cause. A simply drench test will confirm whether insects are the problem.
Begin by adding 8 ounces of liquid dish soap to 2 gallons of water. Then sprinkle the mixture over 1 square yard of lawn,
covering both healthy and damaged turf. Hidden insects will move to the surface within minutes, letting you identify which
you have and how many.
You'll find an array of biological controls, botanicals, and synthetic insecticides. See Guide to common lawn pests for which controls work best for which insects. Some insecticides can harm more than just the insects they target, however.
See Herbicides and insecticides: A toxic mix to protect yourself and the environment.
See more about weeds, insects, and lawn diseases.
Hint: Many common insecticides also harm or kill non-targeted insects, birds, or animals, and can harm the environment. Instead,
begin by altering your environment to discourage the pest. Then use the least-toxic insecticides only if needed. Examples
include Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) for caterpillars, such as sod webworm and predatory nematodes for grubs. Consider more
toxic remedies only as a last resort.
For more tips, see the University of California's integrated Pest Management Web site (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74113.html) and Cornell's Department of Horticulture Web site www.gardening.cornell.edu/lawn/lawncare/weeds.html).
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