European Firebug

6263 My entire yard is full of them. I need advice on what they are and how to get rid of them. Thousands of them crawling in my grass. From Toronto, Ontario

Number 6263 This is a European firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), an introduced species currently sporadically distributed in North America, Click here  for an image and distribution map. These primarily are nuisance pests that will not harm your lawn; they reportedly feed mainly on the seeds of plants in the mallow family. Click here for some control recommendations.