Insecticide For Bermuda Grass

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a plant that is grown as a turfgrass or as forage for livestock, but it also can be an invasive weed. It was introduced from Africa (not Bermuda) in 1751 and is widely spread throughout the southwest and southern United States. It is found in most areas of California at elevations below 3,000 feet and is common in gardens, landscapes, turf areas, orchards, roadsides, vineyards, and industrial areas. Bermudagrass also has many other common names including couchgrass, devilgrass, wiregrass, or dogtooth grass.

Improved hybrids of bermudagrass (Tifgreen, Tifdwarf, Tifway, Santa Ana) with fine leaves and a longer season of dark green color have been developed specifically for use as turfgrass. These hybrid varieties do not produce seed, whereas common bermudagrass produces seeds that remain viable in soil for at least 2 years.

Insecticide For Bermuda Grass

Many lawn lovers enjoy the look bermuda grass brings to home landscapes. With the high-brow aesthetic appeal and fine grass blades, a bermuda grass lawn is something that makes any home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. This can quickly come to an end if the wrong kind of insect invades. Sod University’s Insect Identification blog is a helpful guide that educates homeowners on the most common types of insects that can cause the most significant damage. Each grass type is more prone to certain insects, though.

Bermuda grass in particular is more susceptible to insects like bermuda grass mites, for example. If you have a bermuda grass lawn, understanding which bugs, grubs and insects prefer to chow down on this grass type is great for forming prevention strategies and possibly even curative solutions when circumstances get severe enough.

Common Insects in Bermuda Grass Lawns

With that being said, some of the most common insects that love munching on the roots and blades of bermuda grass are grub worms, or white grubs, cutworms, sod webworms, fall armyworms, billbugs, mole crickets, fire ants, nematodes and bermuda grass mites.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Pictured above from left to right: Grub worms, a cutworm, a sod webworm and a fall armyworm.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Pictured above from left to right: A billbug, a mole cricket, fire ants and a nematode.

Having the ability to identify the kind of insect or grub you are dealing with provides you with insight on which control products to use—especially when you’re dealing with a severe problem. Once you know the name of the insect, you can browse herbicide labels to see which products will treat them. Be sure to read the product labels thoroughly so that you know if the chemical can be applied to your lawn without damaging the grass. Follow the product label’s instructions upon application. It is important to know that there are a few cultural, non-chemical control methods for insect control you can use as well.

Cultural Methods of Insect Control in Bermuda Grass

One of the most important things you can do to fight off insects and pests is keep your bermuda grass healthy with regular maintenance practices. This includes mowing at the right times and at an appropriate height of 0.5–1.5 inches. Ideal mowing heights for bermuda grass slightly vary from brand to brand, but generally speaking, a height of 0.5–1.5 inches is optimal.

Mowing reduces the amount of grass blade for insects to live and nest in. When grass becomes too tall in height, it provides optimal coverage for insects to reside in. They may even lay their eggs here and continue to feed. Keeping the surface of your lawn clean will reduce chances of insect infestation.

Be sure not to over irrigate your lawn. Most bermuda grass needs about one inch of water per week including rainfall. Not only does overwatering promote disease outbreaks; standing water is a perfect invitation for other pests like mosquitos, termites, cockroaches and other pests. Although these insects won’t severely damage your lawn, the standing water will weaken your lawn so that it can’t fight back against stressors like other harmful pests.

Insecticide For Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is a warm-season perennial grass that can be found throughout the southern United States. Bermuda grass is considered an invasive species, and it can become a problem for homeowners in these areas if left unchecked. This article will focus on insecticide for Bermuda grass, discussing how to identify and treat this common lawn pest.

Bermuda grass is often referred to as couch or buffalo grass because of its long, narrow leaves. The leaves are wide and have pointed tips, giving them a ragged appearance. The blades grow from a central point on the stem known as a node. A single plant can have up to 18 nodes with three to five blades each. Each node produces flowers that mature into seeds called caryopses (or grains). When ripe, these grains fall off the plant and germinate in new locations where they grow into new plants.

The most common insects found feeding on Bermuda grass include chinch bugs, armyworms and billbugs. Chinch bugs are small black insects with white wings; they feed on the underside of leaves by injecting their bodies through holes made by chewing or injecting saliva into leaf tissue near veins or midribs where they suck out fluids causing wilting or yellowing of foliage which may die back prematurely if damage is severe enough

List Of Insecticide For Bermuda Grass