How To Get Rid of Billbugs

Getting rid of bluegrass billbugs in your yard can be accomplished by using the right products at the right time. It is important to note that adult billbugs and billbug larvae are controlled with different products due to their feeding habits and harborage changes in the different parts of their life cycles. Controlling billbug larvae early on is the best way to avoid damage, but billbug larvae can be controlled in either the spring or the summer.

Optimal efficacy will be achieved if the insecticide application is done just before billbugs hatch. Timing is important because it will help to control both the adults in the turf, as well as the newly hatched larvae. Typically, egg hatch will occur in late April through May, depending on which region you are located in.

Treating for billbugs at this time will also help to avoid the damage to your lawn that billbugs cause.

You can check with your local cooperative extension office if you are not sure when billbugs hatch in your region.

Applying in the summer, after billbugs have been feeding since spring, can still help to control populations and allow your grass to bounce back. See the video above for application instructions.

Keep the following things in mind for a successful treatment:

• Choose products formulated to control billbugs or billbug larvae. It is very important that you choose a product that is labeled for the adult billbug if that is your target or the billbug larvae if that is your target.
• Watering your lawn a few days before application will help to bring larvae as close to the surface as possible to give you optimal chances of contact with insecticide.
• Mow lawn and remove clippings , and if the thatch layer is thick, aerate to increase penetration of the product.
• Products generally need to be watered in after application.
• Make sure you apply the product evenly to the entire area you want to treat.
• Read all label instructions carefully for proper application, application rates, etc.