Short grass and open ground
Quoted after inspectionTexas A&M AgriLife Extension puts short turf near the top of its recommendations because it raises soil temperature and lowers humidity right where larvae sit. In Austin, with highs near 97 degrees, sunlit soil becomes unlivable for them quickly. Keeping grass and bed edges cut low costs nothing and works all season.
Ongoing with regular mowingBest: Any yard, especially one with dense plantings
Thinning and rethinking plantings
Quoted after inspectionOrnamental grasses and dense native beds hold humidity at ground level, which is exactly what larvae need in a dry-ish climate. Thinning them, spacing them, and keeping mulch shallow rather than piled changes the microclimate without removing the landscaping you paid for.
Months per pruningBest: Landscaped yards with heavy native plantings
Residual application on problem strips
Quoted after inspectionTexas A&M lists bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, and permethrin among residual choices for infested areas. Applied to the specific shaded strips producing bites and timed to spring emergence, they buy several weeks. Ask what product is used, what area it covers, and how long to keep kids and dogs off.
Weeks per applicationBest: A confirmed hot spot near a patio or play area
Personal protection for trail and creek exposure
Quoted after inspectionPermethrin on socks and pant cuffs, DEET or picaridin on skin, and a hot soapy shower within an hour or two of getting home. Ohio State University Extension notes an undisturbed larva feeds two to four days, so washing early stops the bite before it forms. This is the only control that works on public greenbelt land.
Per outingBest: Trail runners, dog walkers, and gardeners