Spittlebug nymphs in particular are the most damaging for plants because they hatch and begin sucking the juices out of grass. Nymphs are usually a light brown or light green color with red eyes. Adult spittlebugs are about a quarter of an inch long and can be found in various colors such as black, brown or yellow.The bugs and their byproducts are not harmful to humans, but consider wearing gardening gloves for this. You can either crush the larvae with your fingers or drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Spraying spittlebugs with a garden hose washes the insects and their residue off your plants and can drown the eggs.
