5 Common Lawn Pests in Oklahoma

As a homeowner in Oklahoma, it’s important to be aware of the various insects that can potentially damage your lawn. In this blog post, we’ll be covering the five most common lawn insects in Oklahoma and how to control them.

    1. Japanese Beetles – Japanese beetles are a common lawn pest in Oklahoma. These insects have a metallic green body and copper-colored wings. They are known for feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of various plants, including roses, grapes, and fruit trees. To control Japanese beetles, you can handpick them off your plants and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water. You can also use insecticides, such as pyrethrin or neem oil, to control their population.
    2. Chinch Bugs – Chinch bugs are small, black insects with white wings. They are known for feeding on the sap of grass, which can lead to yellow or brown patches on your lawn. To control chinch bugs, you can use insecticides containing carbaryl or acephate. It’s also important to water your lawn deeply and infrequently to help prevent chinch bug infestations.
    3. Sod Webworms – Sod webworms are small, brown moths that lay their eggs in the grass. The larvae, or young worms, are responsible for causing damage to your lawn by feeding on the grass blades. To control sod webworms, you can use insecticides containing bifenthrin or permethrin. It’s also important to keep your grass healthy and well-watered to help prevent infestations.
    4. Armyworms – Armyworms are green or brown caterpillars that can cause significant damage to your lawn. They are known for feeding on the blades of grass, which can lead to large, bare patches on your lawn. To control armyworms, you can use insecticides containing carbaryl or acephate. You can also handpick the caterpillars and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water.
    5. Grubs – Grubs are the larvae of various beetles, including Japanese beetles and June beetles. They are known for feeding on the roots of grass, which can lead to brown or dead patches on your lawn. To control grubs, you can use insecticides containing imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole. You can also apply milky spore, a naturally occurring bacterium that is lethal to grubs, to your lawn.

In conclusion, it’s important to be aware of the various insects that can potentially damage your lawn in Oklahoma. By using the appropriate control measures, you can keep your lawn healthy and free from pests. For more information on ornamental and lawn pest control for homeowners in Oklahoma, check out the Oklahoma State University Extension Service’s fact sheet at https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/ornamental-and-lawn-pest-control-for-homeowners.html.