هرکه دانسته رود، صرفه ز اعداء ببرد

grass scale

Bermuda grass scale (Odanaspis ruthae)More Sharing ServicesShare | Share on printShare on emailShare on facebookShare on twitterPosted in Insects / Pests
What do they look like?

Bermuda grass scales are among your lawns smaller threats (1/32 - 1/16 inch), but that's in size, not potential damage. They have a whitish cover that looks like a miniature clam shell. The hungry insect underneath the cover is pinkish and soft.

How do we know we've got them?

Damage from Bermuda grass scale is easy to mistake for drought stress, but a closer look shows infected areas that are encrusted with the tiny white shells. Heavy infestations can get so thick they look like the shingles on the roof of a house.

How do they damage our lawns?

The Bermuda grass scale attacks Bermuda grass, but has also been found on other warm-season grasses and Tall fescue. Like so many other ungracious pests, it's not content with stealing juice from a plant. It has to suck away the good stuff, and leave behind a toxic secretion.

How do we get rid of them?

Most of the time, proper water and fertilizer habits will mask Bermuda grass scale damage. This insect prefers thatchy areas near shade, so cultivation is also an option. Controlling with insecticides is difficult because of the shell, but it can work if the applications are timed correctly.