Managing Lawn Insect Pests

There are various ways to deal with pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not totally new. Using more than one method to control pests has always been around. However, IPM utilizes the latest scientific discoveries and looks at all the different elements involved in getting rid of pests. IPM is a holistic approach that requires a thorough knowledge of plants and grasses, various kinds of pests, as well as all the different types of tactics that are effective in pest control. No two IPM programs are identical and the IPM for any given lawn will constantly change depending on the season and condition of the lawn. The optimal IPM will take into account how effective, safe and economical any given method is before using it in the program.

Armed with the knowledge of he life cycle and biology of turf grass insect pests, your lawn care professional is able to foresee problems before they reach damaging stages. Close examination of grass blades and thatch as well as the telltale signs of animals or birds feeding on the lawn are signs of a need for pest control.

Not all insects are bad for your lawn. Some will actually feed on harmful pests; some help in recycling organic material. Each pest has an “action threshold” where the number of pests per square foot is such that pesticide use is needed. This threshold differs even between species of a certain type of insect. This is why proper identification of insects is crucial.