It’s a familiar scene – you’re out mowing the lawn or just enjoying the nice weather when suddenly you notice dozens of tiny bugs zipping around in the air above the grass. While they may look harmless, these little flying insects can actually cause big problems for your lawn. If ignored, some species can even kill patches of grass. Let’s take a look at what attracts these pests, how to identify them, and most importantly – how to get rid of little flying bugs in the grass once and for all!
What Causes Little Flying Bugs in Grass?
There are a few main culprits when it comes to small flying insects infesting lawns:
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Fungus Gnats – These dark, mosquito-like bugs around 1/8 inch long thrive in damp conditions. The larvae feed on organic matter and plant roots down in the soil.
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Crane Flies – Resembling giant mosquitoes, these insects can reach up to 1 inch in size. Their larvae (leatherjackets) feed on grass roots.
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Midges – Extremely tiny gnat-like flies less than 1/8 inch Some varieties have larvae that live in the soil and feed on grass
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Thrips – Slender yellow, brown or black bugs under 1⁄4 inch long A few species feed on grass blades
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Webworms – Caterpillars that feed on roots. Adults are small tan moths.
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Armyworms – Destructive caterpillars up to 1 inch long that chew down grass blades as they feed.
The most common flying bugs found hovering over lawns are fungus gnats, crane flies, midges, and webworm/armyworm moths. Seeing large numbers can indicate high populations of damaging pests like webworms, armyworms or chinch bugs in the turf.
Identifying Lawn Flying Bugs
Use these tips to identify the insects flying over your grass:
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Size – Gnats and midges are tiny (under 1/8 inch). Moths and crane flies much larger (over 1/2 inch).
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Color – Dark colors like black/gray point to fungus gnats or midges. Light tan/white are moths.
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Wings – Lacy wings indicate moths. Clear wings are small flies.
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Behavior – Flying up when grass is disturbed is typical. Serious infestations may swarm more aggressively.
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Damage – Check for dying grass patches. This can indicate webworms, armyworms or chinch bugs.
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Larvae – Use a soil probe to check for caterpillars/grubs down around the roots.
Proper identification is key, since treatment methods can vary for different flying insect species.
Controlling Lawn Flying Bugs
Once identified, here are some of the most effective ways to get rid of little flying bugs in your grass:
Cultural Controls
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Water properly – Overwatering encourages fungus gnat and crane fly larvae. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Reduce thatch – Thick layers of thatch promote insect pests. Dethatch lawns mechanically or with topdressing.
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Clean up debris – Remove grass clippings, fallen leaves, etc. to eliminate habitat and food sources.
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Fix drainage – Midges, fungus gnats and crane flies need moisture. Improve drainage and aerate compacted soil.
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Use tolerant grass varieties – Some varieties better tolerate feeding damage from insects like webworms.
Biological Controls
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Beneficial nematodes – Apply to soil to kill webworms, cutworms, and other soil-dwelling larvae.
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Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) – This biological insecticide controls young caterpillars like armyworms and webworms.
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Predatory insects – Attract predatory wasps, ground beetles, birds and other natural enemies.
Chemical Controls
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Insecticidal soaps – Effective for aphids, thrips, crane flies, midges and other soft-bodied insects.
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Neem oil – Kills young larvae and repels some adult flying insects.
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Synthetic insecticides – Granules and sprays containing pyrethroids like bifenthrin provide relief in severe cases. Follow label directions carefully to avoid harming beneficial insects in the lawn. Rotating active ingredients helps prevent resistance.
Preventing Lawn Flying Bugs
The best defense is a good offense when it comes to nuisance flying insects. Here are some tips:
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Maintain dense, vigorous turf with proper mowing, watering, aeration, and fertilization. Healthy grass can better withstand pest damage.
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Remove food sources like heavy thatch and overgrown areas.
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Introduce beneficial predatory insects. Lady beetles, green lacewings, and other natural enemies help keep pest numbers in check.
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Apply preventive grub control products annually to protect roots.
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Improve drainage and aerate compacted areas.
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Inspect regularly and treat lawn insect infestations early before they can spread.
While flying bugs congregating over your lawn can be annoying, taking the time to properly identify the culprits and using an integrated pest management approach will get your grass back to looking lush and healthy again.
What do lawn gnats look like?
Lawn gnats, also known as fungus gnats, are tiny flying insects, only measuring ⅛ to ¼ inch. They have slender bodies and six long legs and are typically black or dark gray. Most often, fungus gnats resemble mosquitoes. Their most prominent features are their long, slender wings and thready antennae.
The two most common lawn gnats in the U.S. are Badysia coprophila and Bradysia impatiens.
Remove breeding sites
As long as you have rich, moist soil for the tiny insects to lay their eggs, lawn gnats won’t want to leave. One of the most effective ways to reduce gnat populations in your yard is to eliminate their breeding sites. Here’s how:
- Reduce overwatering: Overwatered turfgrass and landscape plants create breeding grounds. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and only water when necessary.
- Clean up debris: Fallen leaves, grass clippings, and other organic debris create moisture on your lawn and serve as a food source for fungus gnat larvae.
- Dispose of infested plants: Remove and dispose of plants infested with gnats to prevent the infestation from spreading.
- Address drainage issues: Improve the drainage of your landscape and prevent water from pooling to reduce attractive areas.
- Avoid over-fertilization: Excessive plant growth creates excess organic debris for gnats to feed on. Always use fertilizers as directed.
- Mulch wisely: Gnats love mulch. Always use a moderate layer of mulch and never pile it against plant stems.
Pro tip: Gnats love to swarm puddles, pools, birdbaths, and other sources of standing water. Maintain proper chemical levels in your pool and regularly replace the water in any water features to control the pests.
Swarms of Very Tiny Flying Bugs in Our Backyard. Like tiny clouds.
FAQ
How do I get rid of little flying bugs in my grass?
To get rid of lawn gnats, eliminate their breeding grounds. Standing water, compost piles, decaying leaves, and moist soil conditions attract gnats to lay their eggs. Keep your lawn clean and well-drained to avoid this. Then, hit them with natural remedies, insecticides, or natural predators.
What are the small bugs with wings in my grass?
Lawn gnats have a knack for invading outdoor get-togethers like uninvited gatecrashers. These tiny, flying insects can quickly become a nuisance.Nov 18, 2024
Are lawn gnats harmful?
Unlike other blood-seeking pests, gnats are not known to pass diseases through their bites to humans. Though, there are some types of gnat bites that are known to spread infectious diseases to livestock. In any event, a gnat infestation is something that should be dealt with.
How do I get rid of gnats in my yard?
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Remove standing water:Check for puddles, leaky pipes, and overflowing containers, and fix or remove them.
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Reduce soil moisture:Allow soil to dry out between watering, and consider using a gnat-resistant potting mix.
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Clean drains:Regularly clean drains, as they can be breeding grounds for gnats.
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Dispose of organic matter:Bag and remove leaf and clipping piles, and consider relocating compost bins.
Why do I have swarms of gnats in my yard?
The most common reason for gnats outside your home is the presence of suitable habitats for breeding. They’re looking for moist soil with nearby food sources. Usually, gnats come from infected plants. So, if you bring a new plant to your home, it could very well be the source of your gnat issue.
What are the flying insects hovering over my grass?
Scoliid wasps are often seen flying or hovering over lawns in search of white grubs. Another group of ground-nesting wasps is the digger or Scoliid wasps. Scoliid wasps are about 5/8 inch long, blue-black, with blackish purple wings. There are two yellow stripes, one on each side of the abdomen.