Spit Bugs
Spit bugs (spittle bugs) measure around 12mm long. Spit bug nymphs are smaller and produce a frothy white ’spit’ to enclose themselves in.
Adult Spit Bug-Auburn University (left), Adult diagram-photo D.E. Short (right)
Description
Adult spit bugs are shaped like small frogs and can hop hence being dubbed froghoppers. They are usually brown in colour but can be green in many parts of Canada. Their eggs are small and white and laid in rows.
Spit Bug Habitat
They are most prevalent in grassy fields found all over North America. They prefer grassy areas but will attack most plants.
Nymph-Michigan State University (left), Green Nymph-Auburn University (right)
Lifecycle
Spit bugs overwinter as eggs in stems and garden debris. The eggs need high humidity to hatch so they will hatch quite early in the south. The nymphs climb up the stems and cover themselves with a protective spit. Female spit bugs lay their eggs again in the summer and the cycle begins again.
Diet and Damage
Spit bugs feed on mostly on grass but many ornamentals, flowers, peas, strawberries, alfalfa, shrubs and trees can be affected. Grass turns brown and dies. Plants become deformed. They appear in mass numbers in June and through to September. Adults can cause just as much damage as the nymphs. Adult spit bugs feed mostly in the early mornings and hide in the heat of the day.
Controlling spit bugs:
- Use Liquid Rotenone/Pyrethrin
or Pyola™ Insect Spray
Insecticidal Soap Spray also works rather well on spit bug nymphs. Destroy them before they become adults! Be careful with Pyola™… although it is a natural organic pesticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers, it is what is known as a “broad spectrum” pesticide and will also kill beneficial insects as well. It simultaneously attacks adult insects, larvae and eggs and can be used as a dormant or growing season spray. - Water Spray
A strong spay of water on shrubs and ornamentals will control spit bugs as they don’t inflict much damage on mature plants. - Hand Pick (wear gloves)
Where you see a mass of spittle you know there is a bug. Remove the bugs and drop them in alcohol. - Dethatch Your Lawn
In the spring dethatch and fertilize your lawn. This should keep your spit bug population down to a minimum as they need moist humid conditions to survive. - Dormant Oil Spray
Apply the spray in the fall… and this will prevent any overwintering spit bug eggs from hatching.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
While weeding at my NC home, I found a lot of spit bugs far down on the plants I was pulling. I’ve seen spit bugs before, usually green in color. However, these spit bugs were tiny, round, bright red & black bugs. Any idea what these were and if they are harmful to my garden? Thanks, Jen
April 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hello,
I was looking for information on Garden Creatures. I am the principal of a Pre-Primary School, and we want to start an outdoor club to teach the children about the local fauna and flora. If you have any information on bugs and creatures the children are likely to find in the garden, along with their habitat, interesting facts, and what preys on them, etc. it will be very welcome. I am prepared to subscribe to an online magazine to gain information. Our area is Kwazulu Natal; Kloof which is about 15Km from Durban inland.
Thanks.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Alana
I think these might be ladybug eggs, without a picture I cannot be sure
Regards
Cahri
March 1st, 2008 at 8:39 pm
HI,
my name is alana. I live in santa cruz C.A. I found some white/clear eggs in my front yard. they are about 1/4 of an inch can you help me find out what it is?
Alana,(Bug)
August 7th, 2007 at 6:41 am
are spit bug in bellingham washington and can they live in rooms like bed rooms??
htnaks
June 21st, 2007 at 10:43 am
it was helpfull for my ugly bug ball costume.
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:48 am
Can spit bugs cause horses sylvia glands to “drool” consistantly? I have 2 horses that have been “drooling” very badly and I called the Vet out to see what he thinks. The Vet wasn’t really quite sure what the problem is but our feild has nice grass except I see “Spit bugs” and I was wondering if “spit bugs” is a cause to the consistant drool.
May 27th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I caught 10 spit bugs i am glad i did!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:31 pm
I wonder how they make their spit.
May 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am
My dad gave my mom floweers and on it was a spit bug. I guess she got a little extra something. It was really interesting to read about these gross bugs.