I am beginning to see thinning/browning in some slightly shaded areas of my lawn. Not really small patches - just very large areas that look as if they have increased dead blades and decreased green blades - as if recovering from a massive scalping. Previously, these areas had been the most lush areas of my lawn - best color, fastest growth, etc. The grass seemed to thrive best in these slightly shaded/slightly wetter areas.

I have begun to notice that hordes of little flying insects take flight in these areas as I mow (concurrent with the recent thinning/browning). I have lots of crickets too, but that is nothing new - the masses of flying beetles are fairly new.. I hate to use insecticide, because I love the tree frogs/toads/lizards in my yard area (sigh) but I am resigned at this point. Anyway, the hordes of insects are spittle bugs. I am also being told that spittle bugs should not be harming my lawn unless there is some other, underlying problem - is this true? I am in SE GA, the weather here as been bizarrely wet this year - non-stop.

So - what do you think - is the problem spittle bugs - or something else? Any recommendations regardon home-treatment (I prefer a hose-end sprayer method)? Should I lightly fertilize the geass after treatment to aid it's recovery - zoysia recovers very slowly?

Is the ground underneat the grass loose as if a bug was digging round under there?

See any bug droppings?

Any signs of a fungus?

I am seeing this (in these areas only):

Thinning overall (fewer green blades and able to see scattered, tiny holes in the grass canopy - pencil diameter size or less - where the earth below is visible).

An overall browning of the large areas affected - as if the awn had been scalped and is recovering. Many completely brown blades - fewer green blades.

Clouds (literally clouds) of spittle bugs when I mow (dark brown beetles w/two orange stripes on their back) and more than a few crickets.

Again, these areas are slightly shaded - therefore slightly more damp - but they are also the areas that have displayed the lushest, most prolific growth during the whole season. Due to the excerssive rain this year, I have not watered the lawn since the sod was new - but lack of moisture is definitely not an issue.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Q - I found one adult hunting billbug on a plant in a hanging basket near the lawn. I understand that I have not eradicated billbugs from the world, but it made me question: Should I re-apply Triazicide? It kills above ground, in thatch, and sub-soils. It is supposed to have a 4 week residual effect. Should I re-apply (it's been less than two weeks) or am I good to go for the year? Whattayathink?

Q - I found one adult hunting billbug on a plant in a hanging basket near the lawn. I understand that I have not eradicated billbugs from the world, but it made me question: Should I re-apply Triazicide? It kills above ground, in thatch, and sub-soils. It is supposed to have a 4 week residual effect. Should I re-apply (it's been less than two weeks) or am I good to go for the year? Whattayathink?