Got Lawn Insects?

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

Help Desk Client:  I think I have insects destroying my lawn. Would you please tell me what they are and what I can do to eliminate them?

Help Desk Response:  Thank you for phoning our UC Master Gardener Program Help Desk this morning.   As I indicated in our phone conversation, I am writing to provide you with links to a couple of University of California websites that discuss how to identify and manage lawn insects.  This link http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7476.html has a comprehensive discussion of lawn insects and the damage that they cause.  As I mentioned, it is important to identify the specific pest that is causing problems so that you can use a management approach that is appropriate for that pest.  The link I provided above is lengthy but if you make your way through it, near the end you will find instructions for the “drench test” that I mentioned in our phone call.  The link also refers you to guidance on how to deal with the particular pests that you identify.

The drench test will not identify one common lawn grub that feeds on the roots of turf grasses—the masked chafer or white grub.  For guidance on identifying and managing that pest, you will want to consult this UC website: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/PESTS/inchaf.html

I hope that this information is useful.  I apologize that we didn't have time to deal with some of your other garden questions.  As we discussed, a good way to communicate with us about those problems will be to send us an email or come visit us at our office (below).

Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County (tkl)

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Note:  UC Master Gardeners Program of Contra Costa's Help Desk is available almost year-round to answer your gardening questions.  Except for a few holidays (e.g., last 2 weeks December), we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 2380 Bisso Lane, Concord, CA 94520. We can also be reached via telephone:  (925) 608-6683, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/. MGCC Blogs can be found at http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/HortCoCo/ You can also subscribe to the Blog.