The presence of these beneficial organisms will often prevent the insect pests from reaching damaging levels. It is necessary that a small population of pests be present to maintain these beneficial organisms. Apply pesticides only when damage is beginning to occur. Monitoring Inspect the lawn weekly during the spring, summer and fall months and biweekly during the winter months, as outlined in the sections of this publication relating to the various pests to determine if damage is beginning to occur and if insects are the problem. Cultural Practices Studies throughout Florida the past several years have demonstrated that the need for pesticide applications to control chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms can be drastically reduced by following certain management practices.
Cultural practices can influence the susceptibility of lawn grasses to insect pests.
Attention to the following practices will aid in a reduction of pesticide use which can result in less contamination of the urban environment and preservation of beneficial organisms. Rapid succulent growth resulting from frequent or high applications of water soluble nitrogen fertilizers acts as an attractant and substantially increases the chances of chinch bug and sod webworm attack. Incidence of damage from these pests can be greatly reduced with applications of minimum amounts of slow release nitrogen fertilizers in combination with other macro and minor nutrients. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service office for fertility recommendations and sources of slow release nitrogen fertilizer for each of the turfgrass species in your particular area of the state. Improper mowing and excessive water or fertilization can cause lawn grasses to develop a thick, spongy mat of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that builds up between the layer of green vegetation and the soil surface.