If you are finding small, foamy masses on some of your ornamental shrubs and flowers, if you were to look inside that spittle mass, you would probably find a nymph of a two-lined spittlebug. Both the nymphs and the adults have long been recognized as pests on ornamental shrubs. Adults are more commonly found on certain shrubs, including many of the hollies. Helleri and Japanese hollies are particularly vulnerable to damage from these pests.
Now it's recognized that the nymphs can be serious turf pests. Damaged grass becomes wilted, turns yellow and then browns and dies. Spittlebug nymphs damage many common lawn grasses used here in Alabama. They include St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass and bermudagrasses. Spittlebug nymphs also damage Centipedegrass, and the damage appears more severe in this type of grass than in others.
Healthy, lush turf can provide an ideal hatching and maturing area for spittlebugs. Eggs and nymphs need a moist humid environment for growth and development. Humid weather conditions in Alabama between May and September combined with regular turf watering provide needed moisture. Under these conditions, thick turf and thatch are a perfect combination for retaining moisture at a level deep within the turf where nymphs live.
If you have spittlebugs on your ornamental plants, first handpick nymphs and crush them. If the problem is bigger than you can manage with hand-picking, apply a pesticide that lists spittlebugs on the label. Be sure to read and follow all label instructions carefully.
If you have spittlebug nymphs infesting your turf, mow before treating the lawn. Collect and destroy all clippings. Next, irrigate the turf. This should be done several hours before applying an insecticide. Diazinon, chlorpyrifos and acephate formulations registered for use on lawns are recommended for controlling spittlebugs on turf. Apply the insecticide following label instructions carefully.
To prevent infestations on turf, good management practices can disrupt the humid conditions spittlebugs need. Proper dethatching and fertilizing are two management practices that can help limit spittlebug numbers.
