How to identify black beetles in a lawn
You may begin to suspect your lawn is infested with black beetles if it begins to appear dry, straw-like and plagued by yellow patches.
A simple way to find out if your lawn is affected by black beetle is to grab a bucket of soapy water and pour it onto the grass. Any bugs, if present, will float to the surface. If you get more than 20 bugs, this could be an indication of a larger problem.
Another way to detect the presence of black beetles is to place a moistened square of carpet on top of the soil. After a day or so, any adult black beetles will have congregated underneath the carpet.
How to get rid of black beetles in lawn
There are a number of natural ways to get the population of black beetles down to a more manageable level. When you're out and about in the garden, keep your eyes peeled for beetles and larvae in the soil. Carefully remove them from the soil and place both the beetles and the larvae into a bucket of soapy water.
Backyard hens are also great at keeping black beetle infestations at bay. Chooks can't resist the tasty beetles, so giving them free roam of the yard will benefit both your lawn and your hens. If you don't have any backyard hens, neighbourhood birds can provide their assistance. Till the affected soil regularly to bring the beetles and larvae to the surface. Hungry birds are sure to descend upon the free feast.
Pesticides are only recommended as a last resort. Speak to a horticulturalist at your local nursery to find out which products are best for your lawn.
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