Finding the Bugs

• Scout the lawn for insects or telltale signs of damage. Look at both damaged and undamaged areas, since insects move on when the area they're infesting dies. Insects in dead patches are generally not the culprits. Timing is everything. Once you know which insect is pestering your lawn, find out the best time to kill that particular species with pesticides. Every insect has a vulnerable stage, usually the larval stage. This is normally the best time to apply insecticides.