Which animals are controlled by cutting back ground cover and lawns?

The control of various pests through the management of ground cover and lawns is particularly effective against root feeding caterpillars, crown feeding caterpillars, and scarab beetle larvae. These specific pests thrive in environments with abundant ground cover and lush lawns where they can feed on plant roots and crowns, leading to significant damage.

Cutting back ground cover can reduce the habitat in which these pests breed and feed, thereby decreasing their populations. By creating a less favorable environment, it becomes challenging for these pests to find the necessary sustenance, leading to a reduction in their numbers and the potential damage they can cause to plants.

In contrast, while dash feeding caterpillars feed on the foliage of plants, they tend to be less affected by changes in lawn and ground cover, focusing more on the plants themselves. Grasshoppers and ants/termites are also less directly influenced by the management of ground cover compared to the specific root and crown feeding caterpillars that benefit from the thicker, denser ground cover. Therefore, managing the aesthetics or density of ground cover can be a strategic control measure notably effective against pest types indicated in the correct choice.