Billbugs

BILLBUG IDENTIFICATION

Billbugs are a type of weevil that damages lawns in both their larval and adult stage. Also known as snout beetles, these distinctive pests take their name from the adult's curved, extended, bill-like snout. Billbugs have hard, pitted shells that range in color from brown and gray to nearly black. The slow-moving adults grow up to 1/2 inch long and rarely fly. You may find them sunning on warm sidewalks.

Immature billbugs are plump, cream-white larvae with reddish-brown heads. Often mistaken for white grubs, billbug larvae grow up to 1/2 inch long — about half the size of grubs. While grubs have three pairs of legs, billbug larvae are legless. In addition, disturbed grubs typically curl into a tight "C-shape." Billbug larvae may only curl slightly.

SIGNS OF BILLBUGS

Adult billbugs damage grass by laying eggs inside grass blades. When eggs hatch, the larvae feed on grass from the inside out until they get too large to stay inside. Then they fall to the ground and feed on the crown of grass plants, where stems and roots meet.

First signs of damage appear in early summer as thinning turf and irregular brown patches that mimic drought. Grab the stems of billbug-damaged turf, and the hollowed stems break off at ground level. You may see sawdust-like material in the stems and on the surrounding ground. Inspect the crown and roots, and you'll likely find the legless larvae.

HOW TO CONTROL BILLBUGS

Effective billbug control treats both adults and larvae. Treat adults in early spring before they lay their eggs. Then treat newly hatched larvae in early summer while they're most vulnerable. Fall treatments target both life stages before they overwinter in soil. Amdro® brand offers several highly effective options to kill and control billbugs and keep protecting your lawn and landscape for up to three months.

• Amdro Quick Kill® Lawn Insect Killer Granules provide a simple solution for managing billbugs and up to 100 listed pests. Apply the granules with a standard lawn spreader, then water the treated area lightly. The granules work to kill billbugs within 24 hours and keep working for up to three months.
• Amdro Quick Kill Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape, available in ready-to-spray and concentrate formulas, works in minutes to kill billbugs by contact. Your lawn stays protected for up to three months.
• Amdro Quick Kill Insect Killer for Home Perimeter Granules protect your home and kill billbugs around your home's foundation. Ideal for application around your home's perimeter, the easy-to-use granules come in a convenient shaker container to kill billbugs by contact and keep on killing pests for up to three months.

BILLBUG CONTROL TIPS

Excess thatch buildup and underwatering intensify billbug damage. Dethatch lawns regularly, if needed, and keep billbug-affected lawns watered well.

Always read product labels and follow the instructions carefully.

Amdro and Amdro Quick Kill are registered trademarks of Central Garden & Pet Company.