How to tailor treatment types for lawn pests

By Chris Keefer, Technical Services Manager, Professional Pest Management at Syngenta

While structural and lawn pest control are often performed by the same company, the approach to these tasks is very different. Structural pest control relies on factors like degradation rates and pest population rebounds, and it can be difficult or sometimes unlawful to make an application when pests aren’t present. Lawn pest control, on the other hand, depends on the season, weather, region, turf type and time-oriented, preventive applications to keep turfgrass healthy.

After taking proper integrated pest management steps, including inspection and identification, tailor your treatments appropriately for these common lawn pests:

Red imported fire ants:

• Can be controlled most efficiently with bait
  • Apply Advion^® fire ant bait at 1.5 lbs. per acre with a hand or push spreader to cover the entire treatment zone
• Mounds can be controlled with direct liquid insecticide applications in high-density infestations to supplement bait treatments
  • Apply Demand^® CS insecticide (0.03%) at 0.4 fl. oz. per gal. for fast-acting suppression
  • Use a rodding tool to treat down into the mound so previously baited areas will not be affected

Chinch bugs:

• Can be controlled most efficiently with a systemic liquid insecticide
  • Make one application of Tandem^® insecticide (0.065%) at 0.6 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft., or two applications at 0.3 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft.
  • Irrigate after application with up to 0.5 in. of water to move Tandem into the thatch layer of the turf
  • One of its active ingredients, thiamethoxam, is a systemic neonicotinoid that will help provide long-term control

Mole crickets:

• Can be controlled most efficiently with bait
  • Apply Advion insect granule at 1.15-4.6 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. with a hand or push spreader to cover the entire treatment zone
  • For smaller treatment areas, apply 1.84-7.36 oz. per 100 sq. ft.
  • Make applications in late afternoon before high-density feeding, which occurs at night
  • Apply bait to dry foliage to allow granules to fall down into the thatch
  • Control irrigation, as baits are less efficacious when saturated with water
• Can also be controlled with a systemic liquid insecticide
  • Apply Tandem (0.065%) at 2-10 gal. per 1,000 sq. ft.

By effectively maintaining turfgrass and managing these kinds of pests, you can set the stage for lasting control on customer lawns. For more information, contact your local Syngenta territory manager.

References:

Anonymous, 2017. Other Impacts of Fire Ants. Extension Article 11005.

Grewal, S. G., R. U. Ehlers and D. I. Shapiro, 2005. Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents. CABI Publishing. Cambridge, MA.

Kaur, N., E. A Buss and J. L. Kaufman, 2014. General Lawn Pests: Chinch Bugs. University of Florida. Gainesville, FL.

©2019 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Advion^®, Demand^®, For Life Uninterrupted™, Tandem^® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368).