Odessa is a city nestled in the heart of the Permian Basin. But it isn’t all just a big, dry desert. Honey mesquite trees, cedar elms, and Texas persimmons make up a large part of the landscape.
With all this greenery comes a wide range of yard pests. So how do you get rid of these uninvited guests from your property?
In this extensive guide, you’ll discover:
- The yard pests you’re likely to see in Odessa
- The various types of lawn insects
- What to do about wildlife
- The techniques used by local exterminators to get rid of yard pests
Grubs
Grubs are the larval stage of brown lawn beetles. They are typically white with dark stripes on their back, and they also have dark brown head capsules and legs.
Grubs are about one inch long and have a series of tiny bristles under their abdomen. They infest turfgrass species, such as:
- Perennial ryegrass
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Annual bluegrass
Lawn damage occurs after grubs feed on the roots. Symptoms show up as yellowing or brown grass. Or the turf may feel soft in spots.
Get rid of grubs this way:
- Aerate the lawn to kill grubs feeding on the surface
- Spray your yard with a pesticide containing imidacloprid
- Use beneficial nematodes for long-term control
- Apply milky spore granules as an all-natural alternative to pesticides
- Keep your lawn healthy to withstand future grub infestations
Opossums
Opossums are about two to three feet long. They have gray fur, a narrow pointed face, and rounded ears. They prefer to make their home in tree cavities or brush piles near renewable sources of water.
Opossums become pests by making their dens under porches, in attics, and beneath houses. They also make a mess of yards and gardens by eating fruits, nuts, and green plants. In addition, they are attracted to pet food dishes left out overnight.
These are the best ways to keep opossums away:
- Cut back tree branches from your house
- Remove fallen fruit from trees
- Stack firewood to avoid gaps where opossums can make a den
- Close garbage cans tightly
- Screen access areas under porches and patios
- Live-trap opossums using a cage trap that is at least 10 inches wide and 32 inches deep
Fire Ants
Fire ants are one of the larger ant species in North America, measuring up to 3/4 inches. It’s mostly brown to black. However, the invasive red imported fire ant is a bright red color, getting darker toward its outer edges.
Fire ants pose a threat, especially for children and small pets. Their stings create huge welts on the skin, and for people allergic to bee stings, they can even cause anaphylactic shock.
Professional exterminators recommend getting rid of fire ants like this:
- Use a granular bait labeled specifically for fire ants.
- Be sure to spread the bait at least 12 inches away from the mound instead of directly on top of it.
- Follow-up baiting may be necessary after about 48 hours.
- For emergency eradication, drench the mound using a wettable powder containing cyfluthrin or other powerful active ingredient.
Katydids
Katydids are insects that look similar to grasshoppers. They’re mostly bright green and have a brown or red patch on their back. Males make a distinctive sound with their wings to attract potential mates.
Since they are leaf-eaters, you’ll typically find katydids in trees, shrubs, and garden vegetables. They become pests by damaging young saplings, and some people find their continuous chirping sounds annoying.
One of the first things to consider when removing katydids from your yard is to eliminate anything that attracts them. Here are some of the trees and plants that may lure them to your property:
- Bursaria
- Eucalyptus
- Acacia
- Flax lilies
- Angophora
- Alpinia
Other species eat the leaves of citrus trees. However, if removing them is not an option, you may need to attempt other control measures.
Try spraying your plants with a microbial insecticide containing spinosad. It utilizes a bacterial species that kills the larval stage of the insect. However, it’s best to read the label directions carefully since it is not safe for all plants and trees.
However, the easiest way to deal with katydids is to simply spray them with a garden hose. The high pressure will knock them off your garden plants as well as the areas around your porches and patios.