Lawn IPM

Families and pets enjoy lawns in parks, schools, businesses and homes. Integrated pest management can help you keep both lawn pests and pesticides to a minimum. If you already have an identified pest problem, these fact sheets may be helpful.

To prevent future problems, consider taking some proactive steps to pest-proof your lawn.

• Choose a type of grass that thrives in your region and climate.
• Develop and maintain healthy soil.
• Mow often with sharp blades and mow high; generally 2.5-3.5 inches high.
• If dead grass, or thatch, gets thicker than a half-inch, remove it with a rake.
• Water deep and rarely, rather than short periods that occur more often.
• Determine how many weeds you can tolerate, and how many you can pull.
• Determine if promoting beneficial insects may help prevent or control pests on your lawn.

Additional Resources:

• Alternative Pesticide Management for the Lawn and Garden - Colorado State Extension
• Alternatives to Herbicides for Weed Management - CDPR School IPM Program
• Tips for a Healthy Lawn - CDPR School IPM Program
• The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns - University of California-Davis
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Lawn Insects - University of California-Davis
• Lawn Insects - University of Minnesota
• Insects in the City: Pests of Lawns - Texas A&M
• Top 12 Lawn & Garden Pests - University of Illinois Extension
• Greenscaping: The Easier Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• How to have a healthy lawn, healthy environment - California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
• Lawn and Garden (videos and resources) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.