7 Best Insecticide for Lawns in 2023 [Our Top Recommendations]

Everyone, especially an enthusiastic gardener, dreams of having a well-trimmed and healthy lawn outside their house. But keeping the lawn healthy and green is not a very easy job. 

Fighting lawn insects is only one of the issues you have to deal with. Pests and insects are all over the lawn, but most damage they make is on the soil and grass. They live inside the soil and grass as it provides them shade from the scorching summer heat and wind. 

In the summer evening, families love to spare family time on their garden lawn outside their abode. Kids love playing with pets in the grass, and grandparents like sitting on bare ground. But since these insects like ants, spiders, mites, bugs, flies, and cutworms live inside the soil and grass, they could harm kids and pets. 

Not only this, these bugs affect grass and flower plants’ health badly. To deal with these problems in your lawn, you will need some effective insecticides. 

Insecticides are both granular and spray-based. Additionally, some insecticides are organic while others are chemical.

7 Best Insecticides in 2023

In this article, we have reviewed the seven best insecticides for lawns in 2023, which will help you get each specific detail about these products and choose wisely. Go through the article and choose the best insecticide to sow the exit gate to these unwanted guests on your lawn.

We have also compared these seven products side by side based on their prices, chemical ingredients, weight, and volume, to help you choose the right insecticide for your lawn.

Without wasting any moment, let’s review the products.

Image Product
Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran
  • Best in class for control of scales
  • Excellent for Woolly Adelgids on Eastern Hemlocks
  • Excellent on Saga Palm Scales
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Mefenoxam 2 AQ Aqueous 1 Gallon Flowable Fungicide
  • Mefenoxam 22.5%
  • Water-based formulation features low odor
  • Systemic mode of action and translocation through the plant can provide up to 3 weeks protection
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General Hydroponics GH2003 AzaMax Botanical Insecticide, Miticide & Nematicide
  • Extracted from the neem seed kernel
  • Works systemically to provide greater bio-efficacy
  • Multiple modes of action help manage insect-pests during various stages of growth
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Messina's D-OC-C-320 Insecticide, Concentrate
  • Ticks, fleas, ants, and other common pests
  • Clove Oil, Cinnamon Oil
  • Highly effective solution for repelling and killing outdoor
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The Andersons DuoCide Professional-Grade Lawn Insect Control
  • Eliminate Pests Above and Below the Surface
  • Application rates range from 2-8 lbs/1000 sq ft
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Monterey B.T. 1gal
  • Biological insecticide
  • For organic gardening
  • Controls worms and caterpillars on fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and shade trees
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Bonide (BND253) - Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, Insecticide/Pesticide Concentrate
  • This pest control is great for use on bagworms
  • Protects a wide variety of plants including fruiting vegetables, cucurbits, cole crops
  • Product is intended for control of listed insects.
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1. Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran

This product is one of the best in the class for control of scales. Poinsettia and hibiscus, as well as trees, shrubs, and herbaceous ornamentals in the lawn and landscapes are some of the most destructive pests that destroy high-value nursery and greenhouse crops.

With this easy-to-use and apply pesticide, it has never been easier to keep your grass and lawn free of damaging insects and bugs.

Safari 20GS Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran is a super systemic insecticide with rapid spread and direct hit that kills a variety of wicked and invasive insects, including

  • Q- and B-biotype whiteflies, 
  • Hemlock woolly adelgid, 
  • Emerald ash borer, 
  • Mealybug, 
  • Leafminer, 
  • Fungus gnat, 
  • Black vine weevil, 
  • Glassy-winged sharpshooter, armored and soft scale.

Safari is incredibly adaptable in terms of applicability. It can be sprayed on your lawn and grass or drenched on ornamentals.

For a better experience, you can apply this insecticide to your lawn twice a year, once in early May and again in Mid-September. Make sure you use it from a safe distance from the grass so that it can only positively affect them and does not cause any damage.

Pros and Cons of Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran

Pros:

  • Comfortable and secure to use.
  • Best for bug control on a large scale.
  • Perfect for Woolly Adelgids.
  • Outstanding on Saga Palm Scales.

Cons:

  • It is not effective for lantern flies.
  • Toxic for the bees and harms some other insects that are good for the growth of the lawn.
  • The product carries some level of toxicity.
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2. Mefenoxam 2 AQ Aqueous 1 Gallon Flowable Fungicide

With Mefenoxem as the active chemical, present in the quantity of 22.5%, Mefenoxam 2AQ is manufactured by Quali-pro. Mefenoxam 2 AQ Fungicide is intended to enable systemic control of foliar diseases such as downy mildew and root and stem diseases brought on by Yellow Turfs, Pythium, and Phytophthora spp.

It has a liquid-based solution and mild fragrance and can offer defense for up to three weeks. Mefenoxam 2 AQ works well in tank mixtures with most other insecticides. It is also used to treat certain turf, nursery, and decorative crop diseases by Oomycete-class fungi.

You can use it as insecticide spray on lawns, landscapes, trees, grass, greenhouse, and turfs. 

Up to 3 weeks of protection may be offered by the systemic mode of action and translocation throughout the plant.

It comes in various volumes, such as 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, and 1 quart, so that you can buy it according to the size of your lawn and your bug control scale.

Pros and Cons of Mefenoxam 2 AQ Aqueous 1 Gallon Flowable Fungicide

Pros:

  • Compared to EC formulations, it has minimal odor.
  • You can use it on any ornamentals labeled on the product, including cool- and warm-season grasses.
  • Have gotten University certification

Cons:

  • A little bit costly.
  • Harmful for kids.
  • Only effective for three weeks.
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3. General Hydroponics GH2003 AzaMax Botanical Insecticide, Miticide & Nematicide

AzaMax™ is a natural chemical product with a wide spectrum of insect control and broad plant or tree application. AzaMax™is composed of distinctive Azadirachtin Technical, extracted from the renowned Neem tree using patented extraction methods. Azadirachtin A&B and more than 100 limonoids are the active constituents in AzaMax™, which also uses unique technology. AzaMax™’s unique selling point is that all of its food-grade formulation ingredients are used instead of hard chemical solvents.

AzaMax™ is a starving and growth-disrupting antifeedant and insect growth regulator that eliminates insects. Spider mites, thrips, fungus gnats, aphids, whiteflies, leaf miners, worms, beetles, leafhoppers, scales, mealy bugs, nematodes, and other soil-borne pests are all efficiently managed by AzaMax™.

AzaMax™ is licensed in all 50 states and is awaiting OMRI approval. Thi product is odor-free, which is the main problem with many insecticides, and it does not freeze when the temperature goes negative.

It is also available in sizes such as 4 Ounce, 16 Ounce, 1 Quart, and 1 Gallon.

Pros and Cons of General Hydroponics GH2003 AzaMax Botanical Insecticide, Miticide & Nematicide

Pros:

  • It does not harm good insects like bees, earthworms, and soil microflora.
  • It does not contain a strong odor.
  • It has gone under residue examination and thus has no bad effect on fruits, vegetables, or grass.
  • There’s no need for any surfactants or sticking agents.

Cons:

  • The cost of it can be tough on your budget.
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4. Messina’s D-OC-C-320 Insecticide, Concentrate

Crawling insects can be a major mood spoiler when planning an outdoor picnic on your lawn with your kids and family. But with the help of DEPLETE Outdoor Crawling pesticide, you can fend off and eliminate ticks, ants, and other pests with a solution created especially to take on the issue using the strength of essential oils.

Using Messinas Deer Stopper II, Deer, Moose, and Elk can also be deterred from damaging vegetation (such as gardens, shrubs, flowers, and trees), bedding down, and rubbing up against tree trunks. 

When applied as instructed, our highly formulated, exclusive Spira-BlockTM technology kills targeted insects by preventing them from breathing through tiny pores on their bodies, known as spiracles, without endangering you, your family, or your pets.

You can apply Messina’s Deer Stopper at strategic locations to stop future damage to your property and landscape. You can use it every 30 days, regardless of weather or watering. Our humane and secure Messinas Deer Stopper II establishes a sensory barrier that operates by taste and smell. 

It is easy to apply, dries clear and odorless, and can be used around fruits and vegetables without causing any harm.

It comes in various sizes, but the 2.5 Gallons are highly demanded and recommended.

Pros and Cons of Messina’s D-OC-C-320 Insecticide, Concentrate

Pros:

  • It is very uncomplicated and secure to use.
  • It has natural ingredients such as clove oil and cinnamon oil, making its application pleasant for the surroundings.
  • It covers 100 000 Square feet.
  • It is safe for kids and pets.

Cons:

  • It is effective only for 30 days.
  • It fails to eliminate ants from the lawn.
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5. The Andersons DuoCide Professional-Grade Lawn Insect Control

Manufactured by Anderson production, the Duocide pest controller effectively controls bugs from both outside and inside the ground. Probably, so, it is named Duocide insect controller. DuoCide has The Andersons’ unique Dispersible Granule (DG) Technology, which facilitates spreading and boosts efficiency. DuoCide granules with DG Technology disintegrate into thousands of tiny particles that flow through the turf canopy and into the soil for optimal effectiveness.

Ticks, grubs, fire ants, mole crickets, European crane flies, and other common insect pests can all be controlled with a single application of DuoCide. The solution uses a unique multi-mode composition of two professional-grade pesticides to get rid of pests above and below the surface.

You can use this pesticide with a rate ranging from 2-8 lbs/1000 sq ft and water the lawn just after it applies for better results.

For a complete list of controlled pests, go for a brief inspection of the label.

Pros and Cons of The Andersons DuoCide Professional-Grade Lawn Insect Control

Pros:

  • It is very quick and effective on around 50 bugs and insects.
  • It is effective on the insects from both outside and inside the ground, which is rare in insecticides.

Cons:

  • It kills the beneficial soil earthworms.
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6. Monterey B.T. 1gal

Monterey Lawn and Garden were founded to provide home gardeners with the same high-end technology as the agricultural sector. Its expanding product line offers affordable and practical remedies for yard and garden issues, and it is fully registered and labeled for sale to and usage by home gardeners.

You can use it to eliminate caterpillar-like insects, but when used as instructed, it has no impact on birds, earthworms, or beneficial insects like honeybees and ladybugs.

Since caterpillars eat foliage that has been treated, applying the insecticide will stop them from feeding and harming plants right away. It is also appropriate for edible plants up until the day of harvest, as well as fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and shade trees.

Pros and Cons of Monterey B.T. 1gal

Pros:

  • You can use it on edible fruits and vegetables.
  • Used for organic gardening and farming.
  • An easy-to-mix liquid concentrate.

Cons:

  • It is costly.
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7. Bonide (BND253) – Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew, Insecticide/Pesticide Concentrate

For organic farming, Captain Jack’sTM Deadbug Brew is approved to control several specified insect pests. It can be applied to the indicated vegetables, citrus, fruits, flowers, and ornamentals. 

Captain jack’s dead bug brew insecticide works well against various pests, including bagworms, borers, beetles, caterpillars, codling moths, gypsy moths, spider mites, loopers, leaf miners, tent caterpillars, thrips, and more.

Pros and Cons of Bonide (BND253) – Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew, Insecticide/Pesticide Concentrate

Pros:

  • It does not harm good insects like earthworms and predatory mites.
  • Safe to use around kids and pets.
  • Easy to use and spray application.

Cons:

  • Effective for just seven days. 
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Conclusion

Summer is knocking on our doors, and the best way to spend summer evenings is to play and spare leisure time with family and pets on the green lawn outside our homes. But bugs and insects like it on your lawn. 

These invasive and harmful bugs and crawling insects can be a big damage to your family time in the lean and impact its health. In that condition, you will need the best kind of pest controller or insecticide. 

Going through this, you will learn about the insecticides best for your lawn and their application process.

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About Jennifer Igra

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York City known for it’s green gardens. Jennifer, a 30 year old gardener and green living fanatic started Igra World to share her gardening journey and increase gardening awareness among masses. Follow Igra World to improve your gardening skills.

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