How to get rid of lawn grubs for a pest-free backyard
Knowing how to get rid of lawn maggots will help when protecting your garden from pests this season. Similar to know how to get rid of crabgrassor How to get rid of dandelions without ruining your lawnMaggots can harm your weed if left untreated.
What exactly are lawn maggots? These are small, white, worm-like larvae of insects. As they develop into adult beetles, maggots eat through the grass roots, tearing up the lawn and eventually killing the grass. Also, grubs are often the cause of brown spots on your lawn, in which case you probably need to know how to revive dead grass.
The good news is that there are effective ways to get rid of these critters and protect your garden all year round. From natural enemies to homemade solutions, here’s how to get rid of lawn maggots for a pest-free garden.
Once you’ve pest-proofed your yard, don’t make any of these seven common lawn care mistakes. Also, here are 5 reasons why you should buy an electric lawn mower if you’re thinking of upgrading.
1. Introduce beneficial nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are a common way to get rid of lawn maggots. These are tiny parasitic worms that attack and kill a variety of garden pests, including maggots. Additionally, these are safe to use, pet-friendly, and can be purchased at your local garden center or online, like these NaturesGoodGuys Live Beneficial Nematodes ($17 (opens in new tab), Amazon (opens in new tab)).
Since nematodes are alive, they must be used with an application sprayer immediately after opening. If this is not possible, many can be stored in the refrigerator at 37°F – 49°F for up to two weeks, but always follow directions before use. The best time to use is in the morning or late afternoon and avoid direct sunlight as this reduces effectiveness.
2. Encourage natural enemies
Lawn maggots are attractive to natural predators, including birds such as chicagos, robins and blue jays. These species love to eat larvae and help reduce infestation. If you want to attract more flocks of birds to your yard, place bird feeders or bird baths in your yard. Or you can find out what you can and cannot feed the birds in winter to attract beautiful species. Keep in mind that birds can damage homegrown fruit or vegetables, so place them outside of these areas.
3. Limit moisture on your lawn
While our lawns need water to thrive, this also helps lawn maggots to survive. Limit the amount of moisture by knowing it how much you should water your lawn, so you don’t overwater. If your lawn can go dormant (no growth) but recovers easily after watering, stop watering your yard for a few weeks. This will help reduce lawn pit growth.
4. Spray neem oil or azadirachtin
Neem oil is an organic pesticide and azadirachtin is a component of neem oil. These are sprayed directly onto grass or plants for pest control and are also known to be antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal. It is also known as an effective fly repellent. Pure neem oil deters lawn maggots from feeding, laying eggs and developing into adults, while azadirachtin effectively kills larvae of Japanese beetles. Simply mix neem oil with water (always follow label directions) and spray the diluted solution onto affected areas in the garden.
5. Scarify and aerate
Remove thatch and aerate the lawn to make it difficult for larvae to survive. Lawn maggots tend to thrive in compacted soil as this gives them good shelter to reproduce. It’s useful to know how to aerate a lawn The right way for best results. In addition, scarifying and aerating your lawn makes it easier for nematodes and other natural solutions to fully penetrate the soil surface. This will reach the larvae quickly and kill them more effectively.
Of course, when you’re faced with an infestation, it’s time to call in the professional exterminators to deal with those pesky lawn maggots.
How do you know if you have lawn maggots?
Even if you haven’t spotted lawn maggots in your yard, the first sign is usually irregular brown patches in your lawn. While this can mean a number of things, a good test is to pull up on the blades of grass. If this comes off easily or detaches easily from the ground, the lawn maggots have eaten their way through the roots. Another sign is increased animal activity. Because lawn maggots are attractive to natural predators like birds, skunks, and raccoons, you may notice many more holes in your lawn from digging.
For more lawn tips, tricks and guides, check out our how-to guides on planting grass seed, how to make your lawn greener, how to graze your lawn, how often and when to fertilize your lawn, laying sod, 7 common lawn care mistakes that You’re Probably Doing Right Now, and 7 Ways to Revive Dead Grass.