You Are Here: Management Updates 2005 Archive June 9, 2005

Date: June 9, 2005
Category: Insects
Subject: Ants, June Beetles

Turfgrass ants
I have received several phone calls in the last couple days from people asking about ant activity in lawn-type settings. In many cases the "turfgrass ant" (Lasius neoniger) is the guilty party. The main problem is that the worker ants build large mounds around the colony entrances. The mounds are large and unsightly, and can damage mowing equipment.

There are few control options. Some golf course superintendents use a pyrethroid (such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, or permethrin) to reduce surface activity. But the "heart" of the activity is in the center of the colony, where a queen is busy laying eggs. The pyrethroids normally only slow things down for two or three weeks at a time. There are a few ant baits on the market around the country, but not all are labeled for use in different turf settings. 

The only "non-chemical" alternative I have heard mentioned is pouring boiling water down the entrance holes of the colony. Obviously this can be labor-intensive and carries its own risk of injury. Meanwhile mechanically breaking up the mounds can provide some "relief" for the short term, but the ants will rebuild the mounds eventually. Ant activity will persist through the summer months.

June beetles on the wing
Some of the native June beetles (Phyllophaga spp.) are emerging now and some are occurring in rather impressive numbers! I witnessed such an emergence at my own house (just north of Amherst) two nights ago. Very shortly after I turned on the lights outside the garage, many large beetles were flying to the lights. I collected more than 20 beetles in less than two minutes, in spite of the fact that the beetles should have been able to evade my efforts!

In any case watch for these flights, often heaviest in the first couple hours after sunset when temperatures remain high. Remember that the most common Phyllophaga species in New England usually takes three years to complete its development. Often the insects are "synchronized", meaning that most of them are in the same year of development. The adults flying now will be laying eggs in about a month. In areas where you have had a history of damage from June beetles, the most effective control can be achieved in July of the year the adults fly (just as young larvae are hatching from eggs). So you may need to scout your properties in mid July to look for young larvae, and determine whether treatment will be necessary. In the meantime, watch for the emergence flights - they really are quite impressive!

Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum

DISCLAIMER - As always, it is the responsibility of the applicator to verify the registration status of any pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different regulations as well. The author and the University of Massachusetts are not liable for any consequences of any pesticide "recommendations". Mention of any trade name is not to be considered endorsement of a product.

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