Insect infestations are no joke in your home, garden, or lawn. As a homeowner, one of the things you have to be aware of is the possibility of insect infestations and how to prepare for them. Here are the top three common insects determined to destroy Canadian gardens and lawns.
Chinch bugs are commonly found in the thatch layer of your lawn. Thatch is the layer that develops between the green zone of vegetation and the soil surface. The best way to prevent damage from chinch bugs is to maintain healthy, well-irrigated turf.
Cutworms
Cutworms attack in their larvae stage. They like to burrow in the thatch and emerge at night. You may notice small patches of damage before they grow into a full-blown infestation in your lawn. If you overseed your lawn with enhanced turfgrasses, you may be able to stop an infestation.
White Grubs
Another insect species that attacks in their larvae stage is the Black Turfgrass Ataenius, also known as a small black beetle. Their larvae are small white grubs that feed on all types of grasses, but they favor grass with high organic matter.
One way to mitigate damage from white grubs is to use a pesticide. However, if you don’t want to use a pesticide, rest assured that the infestation won’t last long since this insect mainly attacks in the summer months and then pupate.
Conclusion
While fully ridding your lawn or garden of insects is close to impossible, it is important to note the most common insects that you will come across. By understanding what they look like, how they act, and how they can damage your grass, preparing to fight them is easier.
Always do your research on the insect and your specific type of grass before spraying pesticides all over your garden or lawn. Be sure to follow the directions on the pesticide should you have to use it.
