Pest identification
What's eating my blue grama grass?
Aphids
Signs: Yellowing, sticky new shoots; colonies of small soft insects on stems in spring and early summer
Control: Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap for persistent infestations; encourage natural predators
Billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.)
Signs: Yellowing, loose, or dead patches in mass plantings; larvae tunnel in crowns and roots
Control: Apply beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) in late spring; keep plants vigorous with appropriate watering
Grasshoppers
Signs: Ragged, chewed leaf blades; significant defoliation during drought or outbreak years in prairie regions
Control: Introduce Nosema locustae (grasshopper bait) for large-scale control; tolerate minor damage on established plants
Keep blue grama grass pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Blue Grama Grass pests — FAQ
What is eating my blue grama grass?
Blue Grama Grass is a tough native prairie grass with excellent pest resistance. Aphids are the most occasional visitor; billbugs can damage roots and crowns in lawns or mass plantings. Rabbits and grasshoppers may feed on foliage in drought-stressed plants but established clumps in well-drained soil seldom suffer meaningful damage.
How do I get rid of aphids on blue grama grass?
Yellowing, sticky new shoots; colonies of small soft insects on stems in spring and early summer Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap for persistent infestations; encourage natural predators
How do I get rid of billbugs (sphenophorus spp.) on blue grama grass?
Yellowing, loose, or dead patches in mass plantings; larvae tunnel in crowns and roots Apply beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) in late spring; keep plants vigorous with appropriate watering
How do I get rid of grasshoppers on blue grama grass?
Ragged, chewed leaf blades; significant defoliation during drought or outbreak years in prairie regions Introduce Nosema locustae (grasshopper bait) for large-scale control; tolerate minor damage on established plants