The Turf-Tec Insect Flotation Sampler can be inserted through the grass and thatch into the soil then filled with water to identify and count insects and bugs.  Within minutes, insects will float to the surface where they can be removed or counted to make population level estimates over space and time. Insects can also be removed for easier identification.  Many insects either float naturally or will float in salty water (e.g., a saturated solution of Epson Salts). This tendency can be used to collect and sample insects, like chinch bugs, in turfgrass.

A soap drench can also be used to flush out sod webworms, armyworms, mole crickets, and caterpillars. Mix 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) of lemon dishwashing liquid in a 5-gallon bucket. After inserting the 7” Tall Turf-Tec Insect Flotation Sampler into the soil about 3-4 inches deep, fill the ring with the solution. Observe the area for three minutes, counting the number of bugs that emerge. The soapy water will irritate the insect, the insect will release its grasp, and the insect will float.

For chinch bugs, insert the Turf-Tec Insect Flotation Sampler into the soil at the margin of a yellowed area of grass. Fill the can with the solution and maintain its level above the grass surface for five minutes as you watch for chinch bugs to float to the top.