The pests living in the soil and thatch — cutworm, mole crickets, ants, and the termites working through old timber — do their damage out of sight, so the first sign is often a wilting plant or a lawn patch that collapses overnight.
This guide covers how to identify the common soil-dwelling pests in a home garden, the treatment options for each, and which jobs — termites especially — are better handed to a licensed pest technician. Always follow the label for any product you apply.
In this article, we will explore:
- Which pest do you have?
- Ants in lawns and garden beds
- Termites: when to call a licensed technician
- Soil and thatch pests: cutworm, mole crickets and grubs
- How to check an insecticide label before you buy
- Using insecticides safely
- Preventing a repeat
- Frequently asked questions
Which pest do you have?
| Pest | What you see | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Ants | Trails, small mounds or nest holes in lawns and garden beds; ants tending aphids or scale on plants | Find the trail or nest, then choose a product whose label lists ants for the place you want to treat (lawn, ornamentals or perimeter) |
| Termites | Mud tubes on walls, posts or foundations; hollow-sounding or blistered timber; discarded wings | Do not break the mud tubes. Call a licensed pest management technician for an inspection |
| Soil and thatch pests (cutworm, mole crickets, lawn grubs) | Patches that wilt and brown, seedlings cut off at soil level, raised ridges or tunnels in the lawn, turf that lifts like a loose carpet | Confirm the pest first (pull back a handful of turf, or check at dusk with a torch), then pick a product registered for that pest and your turf type |
Ants in lawns and garden beds
Most ants are more of a nuisance than a threat, but some species protect sap-sucking insects such as aphids and scale, and large nests can disturb lawn surfaces and plant roots.
- Follow the trail to find the nest, and note where the ants are working (lawn, garden beds, paths or near the house).
- Remove easy food sources, such as spilt pet food, fallen fruit and sweet drinks.
- Choose a product whose label names ants and the area you want to treat. Baits are carried back to the nest, while sprays treat the surface they are applied to.
- Follow the label for how and where to apply it, and re-check the area before you repeat a treatment.
From our range: BIFF 100SC Insecticide contains 100 g/L bifenthrin (Group 3A, Schedule 6 poison). Its label covers certain insects in ornamentals and turf, including named ants in turf (black, coastal brown, funnel, meat, sugar and stinging ants). It is a 5 L concentrate, so check the label for the rate, the areas it can be used in and any restraints. A product registered for ants in turf is not a product for use inside the house; use it only where its label allows.
Termites: when to call a licensed technician
Termites eat timber from the inside, so by the time damage shows it can be extensive. Treating termites in or around a building is a job for a licensed pest management technician, who can identify the species, find where they are getting in and choose a treatment that suits the building. Many experts recommend a professional termite inspection at least once a year.
Call a technician if you see:
- mud tubes on walls, posts or foundations
- hollow-sounding, blistered or paper-thin timber
- discarded wings near windows or doorways
What you can do yourself:
- keep soil, mulch and garden beds clear of weep holes and below the damp-proof course
- fix leaking taps, downpipes and air-conditioner drains
- store firewood and timber off the ground and away from walls
- remove old stumps, formwork and timber offcuts buried near the house
SureFire Termiticide and Insecticide (100 g/L fipronil) is in our range. Read its label for what it may be used for and any restraints, and talk to a licensed technician before treating a building.
Soil and thatch pests: cutworm, mole crickets and grubs
- Cutworms are caterpillars that feed at night and cut seedlings off at soil level.
- Mole crickets tunnel through the soil and thatch just below the surface, feeding on roots and leaving raised, spongy ridges.
- Lawn grubs are beetle larvae that feed on grass roots, so damaged turf lifts easily.
Work out which one you have before you spray, because the right product depends on the pest, the stage of its life cycle and your turf type. Check the label lists your pest and the grass you are treating.
From our range: Acelepryn 10kg Granules Insecticide is sold for lawn grubs and caterpillars in lawns, and BIFF 100SC lists caterpillars, armyworm, webworm and billbug in turf. Read each label for the pests, turf types, rates and restraints.
How to check an insecticide label before you buy
- Is your pest listed? Look for it by name in the directions for use.
- Is your situation listed? Lawn, ornamentals, perimeter and indoor uses are different, and a label only covers what it names.
- What are the rate and the method? Follow them exactly. More is not better.
- What is the safety information? Note the signal heading or Schedule (for example Schedule 6 poison), the protective equipment and how long to keep people and pets out.
- Are there restraints or withholding periods? For example, around waterways, flowering plants or food crops.
- Is the label current? Rules change, and some active ingredients have had uses cancelled in recent years. The APVMA number on the label can be searched in the APVMA PubCRIS database.
New to formulation codes like SC, EC or WG? See what SL, SC, EC, WP and WG mean on pesticide labels.
Using insecticides safely
- Wear the protective clothing the label asks for, usually gloves and eye protection, and wash up afterwards.
- Mix only what you need and apply it only where the label allows.
- Keep children and pets out of the treated area until the label says it is safe.
- Avoid spraying in wind, near waterways, or on flowering plants when bees are active.
- Store products in their original container, out of reach, and dispose of empty containers as the label directs.
Preventing a repeat
- A healthy, well-watered and well-fed lawn recovers faster from pest damage. Our fertiliser range covers common lawn feeds.
- Remove thatch build-up and fix poor drainage, because pests like damp, sheltered spots.
- For ants, keep food waste sealed and clear debris from near paths and walls.
- For termites, keep timber and soil clear of the building and get regular inspections.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat termites myself?
Termites in or around a building are best handled by a licensed pest management technician. You can reduce the risk by keeping moisture and timber away from the walls, but do not rely on a spray alone.
What should I look for on an ant killer label?
Ants named in the directions for use, the area you want to treat (lawn, garden beds, perimeter or indoors), the rate, the safety information and any restraints.
How do I know which pest is damaging my lawn?
Pull back a handful of turf from the edge of a patch and look at the roots and soil, or check at dusk with a torch for caterpillars. If you are unsure, take a photo and call us on 07 5537 4585.
Is a product for ants in turf safe to use inside the house?
Only use a product where its label allows. A label that covers ants in turf does not cover indoor use.
Where to buy in the Gold Coast
Browse our insecticide range, or call 07 5537 4585 and we will help you check a product against its label. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours from our Gold Coast store, delivery starts from $17 and is priced by weight and postcode at checkout, and in-store pickup at Arundel is free.
Last reviewed: 27 October 2026. Always read and follow the product label.