Warm, Wet Winter Brings Bugs

This spring has brought an unusually large volume of client phone calls concerning insect problems in North Carolina turf, according to Rick Brandenburg, turfgrass entomologist, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.

“I don't necessarily think the insect problems are any more serious this year, but rather that some insects, such as cutworms, got a little earlier start,” he said, pointing out that ground-dwelling bees have also been abundant during the past few weeks.

“The good rains have also moved insects such as grubs nearer to the soil surface making them more noticeable,” Brandenburg added. “These grubs will only feed for a few more weeks before they pupate to form beetles that will emerge this summer.”

Brandenburg recommended that lawn care operators make records of where they see grubs in the soil to help target preventive treatments, which are typically applied in early summer. “Give [these insects] a couple more weeks and they will go away on their own,” he explained. “It is too early to speculate on the severity of insect problems this year, so scouting and monitoring are your best bets against problems.”

The author is Managing Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine.