Best Lawn Insect Killers

You invest a lot of time in maintaining your lawn--planting grass seed, adding fertilizer, watering, mowing...But all that effort can go to waste if your lawn gets infested with insect pests. If you see that grass is dying, or that birds are coming to peck at beetle grubs, these are tell-tale signs that your lawn has a beetle infestation. You’ll need an adequate solution to get rid of them.

Then there are ants. Ants can be a nuisance that can eventually invade your home. If you get a fire ant infestation, with their pesky nests and severe bite, they can make it almost impossible to enjoy your lawn. Fortunately, there are a number of lawn insect killers that have a wide spectrum of action. Some kill on contact, while others eliminate insects over time. There are insecticides that can kill hundreds of types of insect pests. Some are designed safe to use around children or pets, and will not harm the foliage in your lawn or garden.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a lawn insect killer. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of lawn insect killer,

• See useful tips about that particular type of lawn insect killer,

• Read reviews of different lawn insect killers, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of lawn insect killer, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can distinguish between lawn pesticides by the method of application:

• Spray: Spraying your house with bug spray seems reasonable, but how do you spray an entire lawn? There are solutions for that as well. Spectracide Triazicide has a unique method of application: You hook up your garden hose to the canister of Spectracide, open the faucet, and open the nozzle on the bottle. Water mixes with the concentrated insecticide, allowing you to spray an entire lawn at once.

Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer Spray

• Powder and Granules: There are granule-type insecticides, which you can apply by spooning onto the infested areas, or by spreading with a lawn spreader. The Terro Ant-Killer comes in a “shaker bag”: it has a special opening that allows you to scatter the insecticide, much like sprinkling salt out of a salt shaker. This way, you avoid touching the chemicals with your hands. Other compounds, such as the GardenTech Sevin Lawn Insect Granules, are applied by spooning the compound onto ants’ nests and other problem areas. It’s recommended to wear gloves when applying the insecticide.

GardenTech Sevin Lawn Insect Granules

• Broadcast treatment vs. localized treatment: You can apply a pesticide to just select areas, such as by sprinkling it on an anthill or yellow jacket nest. But then there are broadcast treatments, where you cover an entire yard or field. Broadcast treatments that you apply to an entire lawn (or any area greater than 4 square feet) are usually more effective since they will catch where insects are hiding as well. You can apply a broadcast treatment with both spray insecticides, with a garden hose, or granule insecticides, by using a properly calibrated spreader.

• Kills bugs at the surface and beneath the soil: The Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer has a formula that kills both insects at the surface of the soil, as well as low-lying insects, such as beetle grubs. The formula will kill surface insects within 24 hours, and soil insects for up to three months.

• Some also kill plant fungus: There are insecticides that also work as fungicides. This two-in-one action is very attractive since you don’t have to buy two separate products. An example is the Black Flag Extreme Lawn Insect Killer + Fungus Control Granules. It works on a number of lawn diseases and fungi: black spot, brown patch, rust, and more.

• Products that are safe for pets or humans: Some prefer organic insecticides, such as the EcoSmart 33115 Organic Insect Killer. It is a non-toxic, plant-based formula. Also, some products use spinosad, which is created by a bacteria that grows in sugar cane. It can kill a wide range of insects by causing their nervous system to get overexcited. But at the same time it is safe around mammals. So you don’t have to be afraid of it being toxic to children or pets.

• Area that can be covered: Look at the area that can be covered by the insecticide--you want to make sure that you can cover a large area with the product. For example, an entire bottle of the EcoSmart Organic Insect Killer can treat up to 5000 square feet. The Black Flag insecticide and fungicide granules should be applied at the ratio of 4 pounds of the product for covering 1000 square feet. A spreader will have a dial that lets you distribute the insecticide at the proper concentration.  On the other hand, if you just want to rid yourself of anthills, you can rely on concentrated insecticides. An example is the Bengal UltraDust Fire Ant Killer. Just a teaspoon on top of an ant nest will suffice.

• Does the formula require watering-in? You’ll see that some insecticides recommend being applied when there is no rain, while other insecticides, such as the Sevin Lawn Insect Granules or Black Flag granules, are activated by being watered. The watering lets the insecticide seep into the soil. This will make it more effective.  

• Does the formula have a smell? You’ll probably prefer a compound that has little to no odor. For example, the Spectracide Triazicide is based on the organic pesticide cyhalothrin. It has the advantages of having little to no smell. Another great thing is that it doesn’t dissolve well in water. That means that even rainfall won’t wash it away, so it remains effective for a long time after application.

• Black Flag--has been making insecticides since 1883. They are presently owned by Spectrum Brands. They make insecticides for both indoor and outdoor use. Some of their outdoor products are also for eliminating fungus in gardens as well.

• Garden Tech--is a manufacturer of a number of insecticides for the home and garden. Sevin (with the chemical name Carbaryl) is one of their formulas, which is effective in controlling lawn pests. It comes in dust form, spray form, concentrate, and granules.

• Bayer--is a German chemical and pharmaceutical company, founded in Barmen, Germany in 1863. Their Bayer CropScience division also makes pesticides and products for plant biotechnology.

• EcoSmart--is a division of the Kittrich Corporation, and is located in Atlanta, Georgia. They specialize in making safe pesticides, that can be used in the presence of children and pets, by using essential plant oils.

• Spectracide--is a brand of Spectrum Brands. Spectracide is their brand of lawn and garden care products. It is a fast-acting weed killer and insecticide. They have products for outdoor insects, termites, ants, and Japanese beetles. They also make products for disease and fungus control.