Commercial Management of Turfgrass Insects and Mites

Published Jul. 2020|Id: CR-7195

By Eric J. Rebek

Jump To:

Control Notes for Imported Fire Ants

Arthropod pests of turfgrass are varied and sometimes difficult to manage. Damage caused by arthropod pests can be mistaken for disease, drought stress, or other environmental disorders, so proper identification of the causal agent is an essential component of integrated pest management (IPM) of turfgrass pests. Chemical control should not be used as a substitute for good horticultural practices or as “preventative insurance” because it is usually not economically or environ-mentally justifiable. Careless pesticide use also can encourage the development of insecticide resistance. Many turfgrass pest problems can be avoided by following good horticultural practices such as selection of Oklahoma-adapted varieties that are resistant or tolerant to commonly encountered pests. Other cultural control methods include effective thatch management, mowing heights and frequencies that do not stress turfgrass, proper fertilization and irrigation, and weed and disease control. Keep in mind that insecticides with a broad spectrum of activity can harm more than the intended target pest, including pollinators and natural enemies (predators and parasites) of pests. Whenever possible, choose a “reduced risk” insecticide that is not harmful to the environment or non-target organisms when used correctly. Rotate among different pesticide classes to delay or prevent resistance among target pest populations. Chemical recommendations made within this publication are current as of the revised date and are intended for commercial use by golf course superintendents, lawn and landscape professionals, and parks and recreation managers. Always check the insecticide label for the most current application rates and methods, and any use restrictions. Refer to the following OSU publications for additional information.

E-1020: A Pocket Guide to Oklahoma Turfgrass Diseases, Insects, and Other Disorders ($5 and available through Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)
HLA-6418: Selecting A Lawn Grass for Oklahoma
HLA-6419: Establishing A Lawn in Oklahoma
HLA-6420: Lawn Management in Oklahoma
HLA-6600: Turfgrass Management of Bermudagrass Football Fields
HLA-6601: Broadleaf Weed Control for Lawns in Oklahoma
HLA-6604: Thatch Management in Lawns
CR-6605: 2014 Oklahoma Turfgrass Sod Source Directory
HLA-6608: Managing Turfgrass in the Shade in Oklahoma
EPP-7324: Large Patch (Zoysia Patch) of Warm-Season Turfgrasses
EPP-7658: Dollar Spot of Turfgrass
EPP-7665: Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass

Pest, Damage and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
ANTS	Baits
Includes red imported fire ants and harvester ants.	Abamectin	Award II Fire Ant Bait	6	Baits may be applied as a broadcast or perimeter treatment around individual mounds. Apply when ants are foraging. Follow specific label instructions. See end of publication for control notes on red imported fire ants.
Social insects that live in colonies. Size and color variable, depending on species. All have characteristic narrow "waist."	Fipronil	Chipco Choice or Quali-Pro Fipronil 0.0143G^†	2B
Damage: Build mounds, sometimes clear bare areas in turf. Red imported fire ants and harvester ants can inflict a painful sting. Some people are hypersensitive to the sting.	Hydramethylnon	Amdro Pro Fire Ant Bait	20A
	Pyriproxyfen	Distance Fire Ant Bait	7C
	S-Methoprene	Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait	7A
	S-Methoprene + Hydramethylnon	Extinguish Plus	7A + 20A
	Spinosad	Conserve Fire Ant Bait	5
	Granulars
Management: No specific threshold has been established. Ants can be managed with baits or registered turf insecticide applications as mound drenches or perimeter sprays.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B	Sprays may be applied as a perimeter spray around the outside of a building label instructions.
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Observe phytotoxicity precautions.
For detailed control options for fire ants, see CR-7309: Treatment Options for Controlling Red Imported Fire Ants.	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A	Use high rate for fire ant nests. Do not use in pastures or areas of food crop production.
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G	3A
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Spinosad	Conserve SC T&O	5

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
ARMYWORMS and CUTWORMS
Larval stage of several moths. Measure up to 1.5 inches. Some live above, and some below ground.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
	Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC	UN
	Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki	Dipel Pro DF	11A	Insects must consume material. Most effective against young caterpillars.
Damage: These caterpillars chew grass blades and often live below ground during the day, especially in bentgrass greens. Damage is most evident with feeding activity of large larvae.	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid	Allectus G	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom. Not for use on golf courses or sod farms.
Management: Treat when damage is noticeable and 2-3 small (1/2 inch or less) caterpillars per square foot are present.	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid + Cypemethrin +	Triple Crown T&O or Triple Crown Golf Insecticide^†	3A + 4A + 3A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorantraniliprole	Acelepryn or Acelepryn G	28
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1	Grandevo PTO	n/a	To enhance effectiveness, tank mix with a contact insecticide. Do not irrigate following application.
	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Arena 0.25 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Cyantraniliprole	Ference	28
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Dinotefuran	Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Indoxacarb	Provaunt WDG	22A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Spinosad	Conserve SC T&O	5	Spinosad applied early morning or late afternoon can maximize control. Delay watering or mowing 12 to 24 hours post-application.
	Trichlorfon	Dylox 420 SL T&O or Dylox 6.2 G	1B

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
BILLBUGS
Adults are typical “weevils” with elongate snout measuring 0.25 inches, and having a shiny black body with raised "Y"-shaped area on thorax. Larvae: legless, having a white body with a brown head capsule.	Beauveria bassiana	Botanigard ES or Botanigard 22 WP	n/a	Slow acting; reapply as needed.
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A	Active against adults.
	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid	Allectus G	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Damage: Adults chew holes in leaves and stems to lay eggs. Larvae burrow in stems, crown. Feeding leaves sawdust. Plants may die, and sod will not hold together when rolled up. Sometimes mistaken for winter-kill damage.	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid + Cypemethrin	Triple Crown T&O or Triple Crown Golf Insecticide^†	3A + 4A + 3A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Active against larvae. Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
Management: No threshold established. Treat if damage is noticeable in lawn in spring and billbug larvae are present.	Chlorantraniliprole	Acelepryn or Acelepryn G	28
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Arena 0.25 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Cyantranilirole	Ference	28
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Dinotefuran	Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Imidacloprid	Merit 75 WP or Merit 0.5 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Thiamethoxam	Meridian 25 WG or Meridian 0.33 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
CHIGGERS
Small (0.5 mm) mite larvae.	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Damage: Bites cause reddish welts, accompanied by intense itching that can persist for 7 to 10 days. Bites usually occur in areas where clothing fits tightly to the skin.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
Management: Regular mowing of grass and removal of weeds and brush can reduce chigger numbers.	Fipronil	Chipco Choice or Quali-Pro Fipronil 0.0143G^†	2B
Repellents can be used for personal protection. If working in a chigger-infested area, take a soapy bath immediately.	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
CHINCH BUGS
	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
Adults are 1/8 inch long, black with white wings that are folded over the back into an "hour glass" shape. Nymphs are reddish to brown, with a white stripe across their "shoulders."	Beauveria bassiana	Botanigard ES or Botanigard 22 WP	n/a	Slow acting; reapply as needed.
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A	Higher application rates of UP-Star may be needed when adults and nymphs are present in mid-summer.
	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Damage: More of a problem in St. Augustinegrass in Oklahoma. Aggregations of chinch bugs suck plant juices and clog phloem and xylem. As they feed, they also inject a toxin. Symptoms resemble drought injury; patchy with chlorotic and necrotic leaves.	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid	Allectus G	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid + Cypemethrin	Triple Crown T&O or Triple Crown Golf Insecticide^†	3A + 4A + 3A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorantraniliprole	Acelepryn or Acelepryn G	28
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1	Grandevo PTO	n/a	To enhance effectiveness, tank mix with a contact insecticide. Do not irrigate following application.
	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Aren 0.25 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Cyantraniliprole	Ference	28
Irrigation prior to application will help the insecticide penetrate the thatch layer where chinch bugs reside.	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Dinotefuran	Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Imidacloprid	Merit 75 WP or Merit 0.5G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Trichlorfon	Dylox 420 SL T&O or Dylox 6.2 G	1B

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
DIGGER WASPS
Includes cicada killer, scoliid, and typhoiid wasps.	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
Typical wasp appearance and colorful. Males often harass people who enter their breeding territory. Females nest underground.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1A
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	1B
Management: No threshold established. Wasps prefer nesting in bare ground versus mulched landscapes. Control with spray or dust of the nest entrances, or broadcast of a granular product where heavy nesting exists.	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
FLEAS
Small (0.03 to 0.4 inch) brown, wingless insects that are flattened on both sides.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Damage: Fleas feed on blood using sucking mouthparts. Bites cause small hardened bump that is itchy and/or painful. Bites typically located on lower legs and ankles.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
Management: Treat areas where pets frequent (indoor and outdoor). Flea hotspots can be easily detected by wearing white athletic socks, or taking a white rage attached to a stick and dragging it over areas that might have infestations.	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Spinosad	Conserve SC T&O	5

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
GRASSHOPPERS
1-2 inches, outer wings leathery, inner wings clear or colored. Enlarged hind legs designed for jumping.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
	Beauveria bassiana	Botanigard ES or Botanigard 22 WP	n/a	Slow acting; reapply as needed.
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Damage: Grasshoppers feed on foliage of numerous plants.	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Management: No threshold established. See EPP-7322: Grasshopper Control in Gardens and Landscapes.	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid + Cypemethrin	Triple Crown T&O or Triple Crown Golf Insecticide^†	3A + 4A + 3A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Indoxacarb	Provaunt WDG	22A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Nosema locustae	Nolo Bait or Semaspore	n/a	Microsporidial pathogen of grasshoppers. Works best on small nymphs.

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
MILLIPEDES
Long, with round body and many (80 to 400) legs).	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Damage: Millipedes rarely cause damage, but can invade households when populations build and conditions become dry.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours post-application.
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
Management: Reduce or eliminate moist areas and harborage (grass clippings, leaves, etc.). Water lawn during early morning to increase the time that turf is dry. Dethatch high-maintenance lawns.	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
MITES
BERMUDAGRASS and ZOYSIAGRASS MITES	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A	Optimal control of eriophyid mites may be achieved by mixing bifenthrin with the labeled rate of an appropriate surfactant such as a penetrant.
Small (less than 1/100 inch), white, cigar-shaped, eriophyid mites.	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
Damage: After the growth of grass, cause stunting, and shortening of nodes in bermudagrass ("buggy whipping" in zoysiagrass). Plants may become yellow, weakened.
Management: Cultural practices, including fertility and mowing, can reduce problem. Spray timing not currently known for most effective control.
CLOVER MITES	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Spider-like, less than 1 mm long. Dark green with orange-red markings, long front legs.	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
Damage: Minor turf pest, but can become nuisance when large numbers build and move to buildings for shelter in early spring and fall.	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
Management: Cultural practices that enhance lawn health help limit damage and build up. Spot treat areas where mites accumulate.	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
MOLE CRICKETS
Adults cylindrical, 1.3 to 1.4 inches, body covered with dense coat of fine hair, and spade-like front legs that resemble a mole's front legs.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A	Appy late in the day followed by irrigation with up to 1/2 inch of water.
	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Damage: Northern mole cricket and prairie mole cricket are Oklahoma residents and are not considered major pests of turf. Can injure turf by feeding on turf and tunneling.	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid	Allectus G	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom. Not for use on golf courses or sod farms.
	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid + Cypemethrin	Triple Crown T&O or Triple Crown Golf Insecticide^†	3A + 4A + 3A	Apply late in the day followed by irrigation with up to 1/2 inch of water. BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Management: Define injured areas, and treat with insecticide. Normally control is not required.	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Aren 0.25 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A	Irrigate after application.
	Fipronil	Chipco Choice or Quali-Pro Fipronil 0.0143G^†	2B
	Imidacloprid	Merit 75 WP or Merit 0.5G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Indoxacarb	Provaunt	22A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A	Use higher rate for populations comprised of mostly adults.
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Trichlorfon	Dylox 420 SL T&O or Dylox 6.2 G	1B	Thoroughly irrigate turf following treatment.

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
SLUGS and SNAILS
Soft bodied, with shell (snail) or bare (slug). Leave slime trail where they have been feeding.	Boric Acid	Niban Granular Bait	8D
Damage: Chew leaves, scrape leaf tissue.	Iron Phosphate	Sluggo	UN
Management: Treat with bait. Don’t overwater lawn.	Mesurol	Mesurol 75 W^†	1A	Not for use on residential lawns.
	Metaldehyde	Metarex 4% Snail and Slug Bait	UN	Rotate with mesurol to help avoid development of resistance in slugs and snails.

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
SOD WEBWORMS
Larvae vary from gray to light green to brown. Measure 0.6 to 1 inch. Adult moths with wingspans about 0.5 to 0.75 inch, many with a snout-like projection, and fly in a zigzag pattern when distributed.	Acephate	Orthene T, T&O WSP	1B
Damage: Larvae chew on tender leaves, may cut off grass blades as they get older. Injury can be mistaken for disease or drought injury. Most likely to occur during late summer.	Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC	UN
Management: Bermudagrass usually can outgrow damage. Young larvae present about 2 weeks after peak moth flights. Monitor by using a soap flush (2 T. lemon-scented dish soap per gal water).	Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki	Dipel Pro DF	11A	Insects must consume material. Most effective against young caterpillars.
	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
	Chlorantraniliprole	Acelepryn or Acelepryn G	28
	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Chromobacterium substsugae strain PRAA4-1	Grandevo PTO	n/a	To enhance effectiveness, tank mix with a contact insecticide. Do not irrigate following application.
	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Arena 0.25 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Cyantraniliprole	Ference	28
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Dinotefuran	Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Indoxacarb	Provaunt WDG	22A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A
	Methomyl	Lannate SP^†	1A	For use on sod farms only.
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A
	Spinosad	Conserve SC T&O	5	Spinosad applied early morning or late afternoon can maximize control. Delay watering or mowing 12 to 24 hours following application.
	Trichlorfon	Dylox 420 SL T&O or Dylox 6.2 G	1B

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
SOWBUGS and PILLBUGS
Small, gray, and “armored” arthropods.	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
Damage: Sowbugs rarely cause damage but can invade households when populations build and conditions become dry.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
Management: Reduce or eliminate moist areas and harborage (grass clippings, leaves, wood debris). Water lawn during early morning to increase the time that turf is dry during a 24-hour period. Dethatch high-maintenance lawns.	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Cyhalothrin	Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†
	Permethrin	Astro or Perm-up 3.2 EC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
TICKS
Small, 8-legged arthropods, appearing flattened when unfed. Body color ranges from red to brown to nearly black. Four life stages: egg, larva (six legs), nymph, and adult.	Bifenthrin	Talstar or UP-Star Gold or Onyx Pro^†	3A
	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours following application.
Damage: Feeding results in inflammation, swelling, and potential secondary infection. Ticks can transmit disease, including Lyme’s Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis to humans.	Chlorpyrifos	Dursban 50 W^†	1B
	Cyfluthrin	Tempo Ultra GC^† or Tempo SC Ultra	3A
Management: Manage ticks on household pets and pet resting areas. Use physical inspection of anyone who is active in tick-infested areas during “tick season.” Use repellents such as DEET, and treat premises as needed.	Deltamethrin	Deltagard G	3A
	Lambda Cyhalothrin	Demand CS or Demand G or Scimitar CS or Scimitar GC^†	3A

Pest, Damage, and Management	Pesticide Common Name	Pesticide Trade Name and Formulation	Pesticide Class	Comments
WHITE GRUBS
Large, "C" -shaped grub with a white body and a brown head. Larval stage of several beetle species.	Bifenthrin + Clothianidin	Aloft GC SC^† or Aloft LC SC	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Bifenthrin + Imidacloprid	Allectus G	3A + 4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom. Not for use on golf courses or sod farms.
Damage: White grubs feed on grass roots at or just below the thatch layer. Grass takes on droughty appearance. Damage more pronounced in fall. Predator activity from armadillos, skunks, moles and birds indicates infestations and causes secondary damage.	Carbaryl	Sevin SL Carbaryl Insecticide	1A	Curative treatment of problem areas in turf. Do not irrigate or mow treated areas within 24 hours post-application.
	Chlorantraniliprole	Acelepryn or Acelepryn G	28
	Clothianidin	Arena 50 WDG or Arena 0.25 G	4A	Can be used as a curative treatment in late summer or early fall. BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
Management: Treatment threshold for masked chafer: 15 to 20 per square foot.	Chromobacterium substsugae strain PRAA4-1	Grandevo PTO	n/a	To enhance effectiveness, tank mix with a contact insecticide. Do not irrigate following application.
	Cyantraniliprole	Ference	28
Treatment threshold for May/June beetle: four to five per square foot.	Dinotefuran	Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Imidacloprid	Merit 75 WP or Merit 0.5 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Thiamethoxam	Meridian 25 WG or Meridian 0.33 G	4A	BEE CAUTION: Do not apply when flowering weeds are in bloom.
	Trichlorfon	Dylox 420 SL T&O or Dylox 6.2 G	1B	Curative treatment of problem areas in turf. Thoroughly irrigate lawn following treatment. Can be applied as a rescue treatment in late summer or early fall.

^† Restricted Use Pesticide

Control Notes for Imported Fire Ants

Individual mound treatment

Generally, non-chemical methods are not effective against fire ants. Digging or tilling up mounds simply moves them around. Boiling water (3 gallons per mound) may be effective for treating individual mounds, but it must be done carefully to avoid killing plants and not suffering from serious burns.

Best control has been achieved with chemical treatment of nests and surrounding areas. The best time to individually treat mounds with contact insecticides is on a sunny morning after a cool night, when ants are near the surface of the mound. Such treatments can be accomplished with drenches, surface sprays, granules, or baits.

Most mound drenches involve mixing the insecticide in 1-2 gallons of water. The treatment should be applied to the mound with a watering can that sprinkles the treatment on the mound much like a gentle rain. If the drench begins to cause the dirt on the mound to run off, stop and allow the liquid to soak into the mound, then resume drenching until all of the liquid is used.

Dust formulations like Pinpoint can be sprinkled on and around the mound, according to label instructions. If the label states that the treatment should be watered in, then do so with a watering can. Other products may state that the products should not be watered in.

Baits

Most ant baits contain a slow-acting insecticide, such as an insect growth regulator (IGR) that can be taken back to the mound and fed to other members of the colony, including the queen. They can be applied as a broadcast, or used as individual mound treatments. If they are used to treat individual mounds, the bait should be placed about 1-3 feet around, but not directly on, the mound.

Baits work best if applied when workers are actively for-aging. This can be determined by leaving some greasy food, such as some chunks of tuna fish, or hot dog pieces, potato chips, or peanut butter near a mound and checking if for ant activity after 15-20 minutes. During the summer, worker ants forage at night and are actually inactive during the day. The best time to apply baits is in late afternoon or early evening. Moisture and rain will dissolve bait particles, so use baits only when grass and soil are dry, and no rain is expected within several hours after treatment.

A proven approach for managing red imported fire ants is to make a broadcast bait application in late spring when soil temperatures are above 70 degrees F and ants are actively foraging. This bait application should be followed up by treating individual problem mounds about 1-2 weeks later. For best results, always avoid disturbing the mound before or during treatment since it will cause the ants to move away and avoid the chemical.

For downloadable documents on red imported fire ant control options and more information on red imported fire ants in Oklahoma, check the Oklahoma State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology’s Fire Ant Website.

* The numbers associated with the pesticide class column were developed by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, (IRAC) in 2005. It is intended to help in the selection of insecticides for preventative resistance management. If you make multiple applications for a specific pest or group of pests during a growing sequence, simply select a registered insecticide with a different number for each generation (14-21 days). You can rotate within the same number if more than one subgroup is available (Example: 2A and 2B). To further delay resistance from developing, integrate other control methods into your pest management programs.

	1A= Carbamates	14= Nereistoxin analogues
	1B= Organophosphates	15= Benzoylureas
	2A= Cyclodiene organochlorines	16= Buprofezin
	2B= Phenylpyrazoles (Fiproles)	17= Cyromazine
	3A= Pyrethroids, Pyrethrins	18= Diacylhydrazines
	3B= DDT, Methoxychlor	19= Amitraz
	4A= Neonicitinoids	20A= Hydramethylnon
	4B= Nicotine	20B= Acequinocyl
	4C= Sulfoximines	20C= Fluacrypyrim
	4D= Butenolides	21A= METI acaricides and insecticides
	5= Spinosyns	21B= Rotenone
	6= Avermectins, Milbemycins	22A = Indoxacarb
	7A= Juvenile hormone analogues	22B= Metaflumizone
	7B= Fenoxycarb	23= Tetronic and tetramic acid derivatives
	7C= Pyriproxyfen	24A= Phosphine
	8A= Alkyl halides	24B= Cyanides
	8B= Chloropicrin	25A= Beta-ketonitrile derivatives
	8C= Fluorides	25B= Carboxanilides
	8D= Borates	26= (unassigned)
	8E= Tartar emetic	27= (unassigned)
	8F= Methyl isothiocyanate generators	28= Diamides
	9B= Pyridine azomethine derivatives	29= Flonicamid
	9D= Pyropenes	UN= Unknown mode of action
	10A= Clofentezine, Diflovidazin, Hexythiazox
	10B= Etoxazole
	11A= Bacillus thuringiensis and the insecticidal proteins they produce
	11B= Bacillus sphaericus
	12A= Diafenthiuron
	12B= Organotin miticide
	12C= Propargite
	12D= Tetradifon
	13= Chlorfenapyr, DNOC, Sulfluramid

NOTES:

Check registration for specific site uses. Some products are labeled for sod farms and golf courses, while others are not.
Before purchasing and using any pesticide, read the label carefully for registered use(s), rates, and application frequency. Also note toxicity category on the label of each pesticide since toxicity ratings may affect reentry intervals and note any ventilation requirements. Wear protective clothing as recommended on each pesticide label.
Insecticides with a broad spectrum of activity in the chemical classes pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and neonicotinoids may be harmful to natural enemies (parasitoids and predators). Some broad-spectrum insecticides are more selective than others, and selectivity further depends on how, when, and where the insecticide is applied. Be sure to check the label for the kinds of insects controlled by the product, or contact your county extension educator for information on the use of insecticides with natural enemies.

Eric J. Rebek
Extension Entomologist

Print-friendly PDF

Topics:Gardening & Lawn Care Insects, Pests, and Diseases Lawns & Turfgrass Pesticides

Was this information helpful?

YES NO

Fact Sheet

Sorghum Herbicide Rotation Restrictions to Soybeans in Oklahoma

By Josh Lofton and Josie Rice. Learn about commonly used grain sorghum herbicides on their rotation restrictions for soybean systems. The herbicides provided are not an all-included list and specific herbicide labels should be consulted for further information or herbicides not on this list.

Crops Grain Sorghum - Milo Grains & Oilseeds Herbicides Insects, Pests, and Diseases Pesticides Soybeans

Fact Sheet

Corn Herbicide Rotation Restrictions to Wheat in Oklahoma

By Josh Lofton, Liberty Galvin and Josie Rice. Learn about frequently used herbicides in Oklahoma corn production, along with their corresponding rotational restrictions for wheat.

Corn Crops Grains & Oilseeds Herbicides Insects, Pests, and Diseases Pesticides Wheat

Fact Sheet

Weed Control in Pecans, Apples and Peaches

Weed control basics for preemergence and postemergence herbicide principles in fruit tree crops.

Apples & Pears Composting, Fertilizing, & Mulching Crops Fruits & Tree Nuts Gardening & Lawn Care Herbicides Insects, Pests, and Diseases Peaches & Nectarines Pecans & Walnuts Pesticides Weed Control Weeds & Invasive Plants

Fact Sheet

Herbicide Mixing Order for Effective Pesticide Application

By Liberty Galvin. Learn about guidelines for tank mixing herbicides in spray applications. It details the importance of correct mixing order to prevent equipment degradation and how to prevent incompatibility among products.

Herbicides Insects, Pests, and Diseases Pesticides

VIEW ALL