Friend or foe: lawn insect guide
Friends – the beneficial insects
These beneficial insects are the ones that you don’t mind hanging around on your lawn rent-free. They help your lawn by either getting rid of the insects you don’t want or working to make your garden and lawn a thriving ecosystem through pollination. Planting flowers and other plants in close proximity to your lawn is a good way to encourage the helpful insects to hang around and make their home in your garden.
Bees
As a pollinator, Bees are great to have around your lawn! They help to ensure the healthy growth of plants and encourage other good insects to make their home in your lawn. Bees won’t cause any damage to your lawn and surrounding garden. If left alone, they will not sting or bother you.
Ladybirds
Not only are ladybirds a cute addition to your lawn, they are highly beneficial. As a natural predator of aphids and mealybugs, they are great natural pest control and are removing the insects which do cause damage to your lawn.
Praying Mantises
Instantly recognisable, Praying Mantises are keen predators who enjoy crickets, caterpillars, aphids, spiders and even mice. However, they do not discriminate and will eat some of the good insects as well as the bad.
Earthworms
You may be surprised to know that Earthworms are actually good for lawn! By working underneath the ground, they help to aerate the soil. Spotting Earthworms in your lawn is a good indication that it has the right balance of the healthy nutrients and organic material.
Foes – the damaging insects
Whether they are damaging the roots, digging holes or draining the life out of your lawn, no lawn is completely safe from pests. These insects are more than simply a nuisance, if left alone, you can quickly say goodbye to your thriving healthy lawn. Here are the insects you need to look out for and how to treat them.
Mole Crickets
These large brown crickets tend to be commonly found around mid spring to the end of summer and prefer moist soil. Mole Crickets will burrow deep in your lawn to chew on roots and create a large network of underground tunnels. To prevent these pests, it’s best to use frequent fertiliser and if you do spot them on your lawn, treat immediately with insecticide high in Abamectin.
Sod Worms
Sod Worms look like thick, brown-green spotted caterpillars which destroy and kill your lawn turf by feeding off it. You’ll quickly notice brown patches on your lawn and with closer inspection, you’ll see Sod Worms and larvae. To get rid of these worms, we recommend using an insecticide with Chlorantraniliprole on your lawn.
African Black Beetle
The African Black Beetle, also known as the Lawn Black Beetle, will feast on blades of grass on your lawn as well as destroy the root system. The shiny dark beetles can be seen on your grass however they are usually not detected until serious damage has occurred. Much like Sod Worms, you can choose an insecticide with chemical Chlorantraniliprole to get rid of them.
Ants
While ants can be beneficial to your lawn as they help to control other insects, large colonies can dig underground and cause damage to the roots and prevent damage. From an aesthetic point of view, ant colonies aren’t great as they disturb your lawn profile and can bite which is unpleasant. You can get rid of ants by pouring boiling hot and soapy water on the colony, but ant insecticide tends to be far more effective.
A healthy lawn is a happy lawn
The best way to keep your lawn and garden in great shape and pest-free is to perform regular lawn maintenance. From applying the right fertilisers to frequent mowing, using professional lawn care services is the easiest way to ensure your lawn is in healthy condition and free from destructive pests. You can learn more about treating pests in your garden here.
