Billbug Prevention Guide

Preventing billbug damage before it takes a toll on your yard is easier than trying to get rid of the infestation and rehabilitate your lawn.

There are a couple steps you can take to minimize the damage from billbug infestations, including a promoting a healthy yard and using preventative insecticide applications.

Keeping your lawn healthy will help your grass bounce back quickly from feeding damage caused by billbugs. However, it's important to follow a lawn care schedule carefully, especially when it comes to fertilizing and watering your lawn.

A very lush, very green lawn looks especially attractive to female billbugs to lay eggs. While you want a healthy lawn, applying too much fertilizer or watering too often can actually be detrimental to your lawn. Follow recommendations for your type of grass according to a lawn care schedule.

Preventative insecticide billbug products should be applied before eggs are laid in the spring. May is generally a good time, but contact your local extension office for a more accurate guideline for your area.

Products with imidacloprid and other similar active ingredients are very effective against billbug larvae. Apply these products to your entire lawn, and make sure to water the product in if the label instructs you to do so. This will help the products get into the turf to allow the product to penetrate.

Excessive rain, especially after a liquid application, may wash away the product. Reapply if necessary.

Always read the label of your product carefully, and follow all directions and warnings.