Overview
When To Inspect For Crane Flies
Crane fly damage happens only at certain times of the year, during the fall and springtime, which is when you should be inspecting for these lawn pests.
Step
1
Inspect For Crane Fly Damage
Crane fly larva damage will cause brown patches in your turf, also causing it to thin in some areas.
Crane flies begin feeding in the fall after they hatch, so you will see damage at this point in the year, as well as in the spring. Depending on the season, this could be as early as March in some areas of the country.
Since crane fly larva damage could appear to be many other kinds of lawn damage, it is important to base your diagnosis on visible larvae rather than just the damage.
Step
2
Inspect For Crane Fly Larvae
It is important to thoroughly inspect your lawn for active larvae.
Start by choosing a few areas of your yard to sample. You can choose areas that are experiencing damage, and others can appear healthy. If sampling a damaged area, test on the borders of the damage and not in the middle, since the larvae will be moving outward to healthy grass to continue feeding.
Cut a square foot sample of turf in each area, pulling turf away from the soil. First check soil for any larvae, and then check the sod sample.If you have an average number above 25 larvae in each sample, begin treatment.