A well-established, healthy, and lush green lawn adds aesthetic beauty to your home. Any mishaps like yellowing of grass due to resource deficiency, unhealthy grass by pathogens, or disease attacks may become the reason to lose all the beauty in days.
Similarly, insect infestation in the lawn is a common problem, and if left uncontrolled they cost you in the form of drying grass and uneven lawn surface by growing ant hills and mounds in the lawn.
Lawn insects are not as lethal to humans as they are to lawns and growing plants. They are present in trees, shrubs, grass, flowering plants, water, or on furniture but grass and soil are favorite places of lawn insects.
Lawn Grass is the best hiding and reproductive place for insects. It provides them shelter in unfavorable weather conditions. It goes beyond thousands in number if not controlled in time.
A wise saying about insects is:
“Take back control and kill lawn insects before they take over.”
Quick List: Recommended Lawn insect killer granules
- EcoSMART Insect Killer Granules – “Easy to apply and works fast”
- Ortho Bug B Gon Insect Killer for Lawns – “Fast acting and killed those little suckers”
- Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer For Lawns Granules – “This wasn’t dusty at all which is good for my allergies”
- Sevin Lawn Insect Granules – “Been used Sevin dust for as long as I remember. Good Stuff..”
- Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer Granules
Controlling or eradicating lawn insects have become much easier nowadays by advancement in insecticides. There are many chemical and natural ways to control insects on the lawn.
But choosing the best lawn insect killers is a challenging activity for the grower. Actually, lawn insect killers are of different types; granular and liquid. Furthermore, a lot of manufacturers are flooding the market with hundreds of products.
In this guide, I have put together some premium and fast-acting controls for lawn insects. All the products on our list are the best lawn insect killer granules because granular insecticides are long-lasting and efficient in controlling lawn insects.
Let’s start.
Why Choose Lawn Insect Killer Granules vs Spray
Using lawn insect killer granules has far more benefits than spraying the lawn liquid insecticides. From handling to mixing, and further applying, granular lawn insecticides have dominance over liquid insecticides.
Granular lawn insect killer products are ready to use and do not need any mixing before application on grass. While the liquid lawn insecticides are concentrated formulations that need to mix in the water for effective results.
Granular formulations are more efficient in controlling pests and insects if applied evenly on the lawn surface with a mechanical spreader.
Another benefit of using granular insecticides is that there is a risk of skin and hands irritation problems if liquid gets over hands accidentally, while the granular products are free of that risk.
When it comes to storing packages, granular products again have an edge over liquids in terms of low risk of leakage of granular formulations.
Best lawn insect killer granules Reviews
1. EcoSMART Insect Killer Granules
EcoSMART insect killer is one of the safest insect killer granular treatments. The primary aim of the manufacturer is to produce an environmentally friendly, and all-natural insecticide that has no health risk to pets and humans.
All the products by EcoSMART are totally organic and biodegradable that kills only insects on contact.
It is manufactured by adding natural oil ingredients to provide defense against insects and diseases. But these oil-containing products are toxic for aquatic lives.
The active agent in the EcoSMART insecticide helps in killing the insects by blocking the neural pathways of insects. These receptors are only present in insects so it does not affect humans, pets, and plants.
The great feature of this insecticide is the presence of a minty scent that attracts the insects and kills them by blocking their neural system.
The oils used in making insecticides are natural oils that help in fighting against crawling insects.
Its application is much easier than liquid insecticide.
All you need to do is spread it over the lawn surface evenly with your hands but using the mechanical seed spreader is the best decision for getting uniform distribution.
It provides defense against a wide range of insects including Armyworms, Chiggers, Crickets, Fleas, Billbugs, Ants, Mosquitos, Centipedes, Scorpions, Ticks, Spiders, Chinch Bugs, Cutworms, and many others.
Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Safe for humans and pets
- A 10 lbs bag is enough to treat 5000 sq. ft. lawn
- Kills more than 100 types of insects
- No residual material or bad smells
Cons:
- Being a natural product, it takes time for action
2. Ortho Bug B Gon Insect Killer for Lawns
Ortho bug B Gon insect killer is the premium grade insect killer treatment for lawn. It is available in both liquid and granular forms but granules have more efficiency in terms of longer controls.
The Ortho B Gon insecticide has chemical agents to kill the insects by distorting the internal body functions.
The premium feature of this product is that besides killing the insects, it also prevents the insect’s attack in the future for up to 3 months.
It requires a seed spreader to spread the granules over the lawn surface. All you need to do is to scatter the granules on the grass and irrigate the lawn so it gets absorbed in the soil completely.
It can be used on lawns, flowerbeds, grass, plants, gardens, and shrubs.
A single application of this Ortho Bug B Gon insecticide is enough to kill the insects and keep them out for the next few months.
The best time to apply the treatment is in spring and late summer. Make sure to irrigate the lawn immediately after the application to get effective results.
It is a perfect treatment for killing fleas, ants, spiders, mole crickets, chinch bugs, ticks, and cutworms.
Pros
- Odor-free
- Easy to use
- Kills more than 235 insects
- No residues
- Children and pet safe
- Prevents insects for 3 months
Cons
- Requires spreader for application
- Contains chemical
3. Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer For Lawns Granules
Spectracide insect killer is a granular insecticide for lawns and grass insects and an excellent insect-repelling treatment.
Spectracide is one of the most effective treatments for killing insects as well as repelling them in the future.
It works great by keeping insects out of the yard for more than 3 months.
The active agent of Spectracide insecticide is Spectracide triazicide which is a well-known chemical agent for killing insects.
A small quantity of this active agent is added to the product to keep it safer for humans and pets.
It is nontoxic for humans and pets unless they get the direct effect of the chemicals by ingesting them. Once it gets absorbed in the soil, it does not remain toxic for humans and pets.
A wide range of insects can be controlled in the lawn by this treatment including armyworms, insects, crickets, grubs, ticks, cutworms, ants, and many other insects like more than 100.
The great thing about this insecticide is that it causes no damage to grass and can be used on orchards, lawns, and near house foundations without any confusion.
When it comes to application, it is one of the safe and easy-to-apply products.
Read the instructions on the product label and uniformly apply the directed amount over the grass and irrigate the lawn lightly for dissolving insecticide into the soil.
Pros
- Kills pests above and below the soil
- No residues
- No odor
- Effective for a long time
- Kids and pets safe
Cons
- Toxic to aquatic life
- Not effective during the rainy season
4. Sevin Lawn Insect Granules
Sevin insecticide is a granular insecticide for killing insects in lawns and orchards. It is a well-known insecticide for large-scale pest protection from more than 30 types of insects.
Sevin lawn insecticide is a perfect match for killing large-scale insects including fleas, ticks, ants, worm larvae, and many more.
It can be used on lawns, ornamental plants, and flowerbeds.
A single application of this treatment is enough to kill all the present insects above or below the surface of lawn soil. Furthermore, it prevents the attack of these insects in the near future for up to 3 months.
A single 20 lbs bag of Sevin lawn insecticide is enough to treat 5000 sq. ft. lawn. In case, you find some hiding insects in the lawn, do spot treatment to get rid of them completely.
The application of the granules is very easy and simple. Spread it over the grass with a mechanical spreader and water the grass immediately to dissolve the chemical into the soil.
Make sure to wait until the lawn dries before entering again.
Pros
- Odor-free
- No residues
- Kids and pet safe
- Repels insects for 3 months
- Can be used in vegetable crops
- Covers 5000 sq. ft.
Cons
- Contains chemicals
5. Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer Granules
Bayer’s advanced insect killer granules show the advancement in their action to kill insects.
This product is famous for its proprietary two-way action and is known as a two-way formula for killing both surface and soil insects.
It attacks the lawn insects from a wide range of angles and leaves them no space for hiding in the grass.
The mode of action is very fast and effective. Once it is applied to grass, it will kill all the surface insects in a few hours today. While the soil insects will be gone within the coming three months.
The great feature of this product is that it is the most effective treatment for controlling moles and grub worms in the lawn.
Bayer insecticide granules work as a barrier treatment for keeping the insects out of the lawn.
Its application is much easier and requires simply spreading the granules over the grass with a spreader and irrigating the lawn with light irrigation.
Bayer advanced insect killer is effective for controlling ants, ticks, grubs, fleas, mole crickets. Larvae, and many more.
Pros
- Two-way formula
- Kills insects in 24 hours
- Can be used as an outdoor barrier
- Kills insects at multiple angles
Cons
- Toxic and containing chemicals
Lawn insect killer types
Lawn insect killers of any form have control over insects in the grass to various extents. But granular formulations have long-lasting effects and are more efficient in terms of control. These are two major types of lawn insect killers.
- Granular insecticides
- Liquid insecticides
Granular lawn insect killers
Granular insecticides are granules to kill insects in the lawn. They get mixed into the soil easily in contact with water on irrigation.
Advantages
- They do not require any premixing to dilute the concentrate and are available in ready-to-use form.
- They are easy to spread over the lawn surface.
- To get more efficient results, you just need a mechanical seed spreader.
Disadvantages
- It needs a seed spreader for even distribution over the ground.
- It is necessary to do irrigation after spreading the granules over the grass.
Liquid lawn insect killers
Liquid insecticides are liquid formulations that can be sprayed over the lawn surface to kill the insects hiding in the grass. They are concentrated solutions that require dilution in water before application.
Advantages
- You will not need to get a mechanical seed spreader for application. All you need to do is to dilute the concentration and spray it over the lawn with help of an electric sprayer.
- Spraying the diluted solution is an easy and uniform way of application.
Disadvantages
- Liquid concentrate containers are prone to leakage.
- The low-quality built containers have no ability to withstand water pressure.
- There are more hazards of getting liquid solution over the hands and face that might cause problems like irritation.
How to choose a lawn insect killer?
Lawn insecticides have many forms like liquid concentrates or granules, but it is much more confusing for growers to choose the best one.
They don’t even know which qualities of a lawn insect killer make it a good one. Here are some important things to find in a lawn insecticide before finalizing it for your lawn.
Lawn size
Lawn size is one of the important factors in finalizing lawn insecticides between granules or liquid concentrates.
If you have some prominent patches of lawn under attack by insects and you want spot treatment, then a granular product is a good choice.
But for treating the whole lawn, both granular and liquid insect killers are good.
Liquid treatments are applied through a sprayer and making it easier for even distribution over the lawn surface.
But there is a hassle of mixing the concentrate in water to make the required solution and you will need to store it properly if left unused.
But the granular lawn insect killer does not need any preparations and is ready to apply. All you need is a spreader and it is good to go.
2. Foliage vs. Lawn
When it comes to the lawn surface, both liquid and granular insecticides have the same effectiveness.
But treating flowerbeds with some insecticides is more technical and needs the proper spraying over the leaves. You will need to use a liquid insect killer for flower beds.
3. Time & Effort
Spraying the diluted concentrate over the lawn surface is less time-consuming than spreading granules evenly over the grass. But spraying lawn liquid concentrate is more laborious than granules. Granular insecticides do not need any preparations.
4. Safety
If you are buying any chemical treatment for your lawn, you need to consider the safety implications of using the chemicals around the kids and pets.
The insecticides have chemical elements having risk potential to humans and pets. That’s why granular insecticide is good to go as it gets absorbed in soil on watering and no risk of sticking to hands.
How to apply granular lawn insect killers
The first step in applying the granular lawn insect killers in the lawn is reading the directions on the label. Read all precautions and directions on the product label to find the proper application rate.
Fill the mechanical spreader with insect killer granules and set the spreading rate accordingly to directions.
Start spreading the granules on grass so precisely that it gets an even distribution on the whole surface.
Using the seed spreader is the best practice to get efficient results.
Finally, irrigate the lawn completely so the granules release the active agents and get absorbed in the soil.
Wait until drying the lawn surface before letting the kids and pets enter the lawn.
Are insect lawn killers safe for home use?
Lawn insect killers are safe for humans if used with proper precautions and safe methods. The best practice is to wear a face mask and hand gloves before applying any chemical treatment to lawn or flowerbeds.
It is well known that insecticides have chemical ingredients that might be toxic to pets and kids so it is good practice to avoid their entry into the lawn until it gets dry completely.
- If you get liquid insecticide over your hands, wash the affected area immediately.
- If liquid gets in your eyes, flush the eyes with clean water for 15-20 minutes.
- If you inhale the product, move immediately to fresh air.
- If you swallow the insecticide, immediately contact poison control services.
Do insect lawn killers harm grass?
No! The lawn insect killer does not harm grass in any way if applied as directed on the product. But applying the undiluted or improper diluted chemical over the lawn surface might damage the lawn badly.
How to spot infestation in lawns?
The best way to spot infestation in the lawn is by monitoring the unusual growth patches in the lawn and ground holes in the surface. If you find any patches or holes, dig the small portion of soil and find the insects or their larvae to confirm an infestation.
The second method to confirm infestation is by cutting the 1 sq. ft sections of grass from various spots in the lawn and digging the soil up to 5 cm depth. Then folding the soil and finding the bug’s larvae. If you find 5-10 larvae, it might be an infested lawn.
Tips and tricks for effective use of lawn insect killer
Here are some tips and tricks for the safe and effective use of lawn insecticides.
Suitable time
The best time for applying lawn insect killers is early morning or evening. Applying chemical insecticide during the daylight will evaporate in the atmosphere and make the treatment less effective.
Weather conditions
Always consider weather conditions before applying any treatment to lawn or plants. As mentioned earlier, applying insecticides in sunny hours will get the concentrate evaporated in the air.
Make sure to avoid applying lawn insecticides in rainy weather as heavy rain will sabotage your efforts and be a waste product.
Mow the lawn first
Mowing the lawn before doing any lawn treatment is a good practice. Cutting the long grass blades will give insects no place to hide and ensures the maximum exposure of insects to treatment and ultimately effective results.
Avoid kids and pets’ entry
Most lawn fungicides and insecticides have toxic ingredients for humans and pets, that may cause eye and skin problems. So, it is good to keep kids and pets out of treated areas until complete drying of the lawn.
Sources
- https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/lawn-and-garden
- https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/GWQ011.pdf
- http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/lawn-insect-pests.html
- https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/beneficial-lawn-insects
- https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/chafer-beetles.aspx
