Garden Critter Control

Keeping critters from ravaging your lawn and garden can be frustrating. Ace is here to help. Below are links to information on controlling specific critters in your yard.

Ants	Grasshoppers	Slugs
Aphids	Groundhogs	Snails
Beetles	Grubs	Spiders
Bees	Mice	Termites
Caterpillars	Moles	Ticks
Chiggers	Mosquitos	Voles
Crickets	Moths	Weevils
Deer	Rabbits	Worms
Fleas	Rats

How do I control or get rid of grubs?

To kill grubs or other insects that invade your lawn, use a product that is designed to kill lawn insects, such as Ortho® Bug-B-Gon® Lawn Insect Killer With Grub Control. To prevent future grub infestations, you should apply Scotts® GrubEx® to your lawn during the summer months.

What's a good method of getting rid of moles? Although moles are attracted to grubs in lawns, they also feed on other insects and earthworms. Getting rid of the grubs is a beginning to ridding your garden of a mole, but will probably not be enough to make him leave. The most effective way to get rid of moles is to trap them. Several different kinds of traps are available in garden centers, and they all work. The harpoon traps are probably the easiest to use.

I think I may have mole crickets - how can I tell, and how can I get rid of them?

Several species of mole crickets attack lawns. Their damage appears as brown spongy areas within normal green grass. These spots are very soft to walk on. Mole crickets are seldom seen, because, like moles, they stay underground most of the time eating the roots of your grass. In June or July, after the eggs hatch and before the young nymphs cause much damage, apply Ortho® Bug-B-Gon® MAX Insect Killer for Lawns. Mow and water before applying, since mole crickets are not active in dry soil. Then water lightly, after application, to activate the chemicals. If damage continues, treat again in late summer to early fall.

What lawn types do chinch bugs feed on, and how do I get rid of them?

Chinch bugs feed on many kinds of lawn grasses, but St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass are favorites. Both the adult chinch bug and the nymph will kill grass by sucking the juices out of the grass blade. At the same time, they inject a poison that causes the blades to turn brown and die. Heavy infestations may completely kill the lawn. These sun- and heat-loving insects seldom attack shady lawns, but once they decide to attack a lawn, they can cover the entire area in several days. Control chinch bugs with Scotts® Turf Builder® With SummerGuard™ or Scotts Lawn Pro Step 3 in the North and Scotts® MaxGuard® in the South, as soon as you see damage. Both of these products contain fertilizer as well as an insecticide. To prevent recurring damage from newly hatched nymphs, retreat the lawn every two months until the first frost. For insect control without fertilizing, we recommend using Ortho® Bug-B-Gon® MAX Insect Killer for Lawns. Make sure to follow the label directions for use.