Grass pests are one of the main concerns for most lawn owners. If you want to keep your lawn looking its best, it is important to follow the proper lawn care routine. This includes fertilization, aeration, and routine maintenance. Here are a few tips to follow:
Grass pests
Grass pests can cause damage to your lawn, especially if you’re not monitoring your lawn regularly. In a month, billbugs can produce enough offspring to cause significant damage to your lawn. Listed below are some pests that are common to lawns and why you should treat yours for these problems. Read on to learn how to identify them and how to get control for your lawn.
Spinosad: A naturally-based insecticide, Spinosad kills lawn caterpillars. However, it has limited activity against grubs and other beetles, and is toxic to many beneficial insects. In addition, these pesticides can negatively affect bees, birds, and other beneficial insects. Hence, it’s important to carefully select a lawn-friendly treatment for these pests.
Common grass pests include various caterpillars, such as scarab beetles, black turfgrass ataenius, and chinch bugs. The larvae of these pests may cause yellowing of the leaf blades or even kill the grass. Luckily, most lawns don’t need to worry about these insects, but it’s still wise to treat them. Insects can also cause damage to your lawn if they live in an unsanitary environment.
Sod webworm: This pest is an important lawn pest that causes significant damage to your lawn. These little creatures are invisible during the day, but they can be detected with the help of a “soapy flush” treatment. The solution is made up of liquid dish detergent mixed with two gallons of water. The sod webworm larvae come to the surface in five minutes. Tall fescue is also often attacked by these pests, but these pests usually outgrow them.
Other insects can cause problems in your lawn, too. While some pests may be harmful to the health of your grass, a healthy lawn will support a variety of beneficial insects. Some of the most common are predatory ants, rove beetles, and blister beetles. Some are beneficial to your lawn, such as springtails and flies. Several insects have a range of diseases and may obliterate the population of other pests.
Fertilizer application
Using a fertilizer application checklist will ensure your lawn looks its best while minimizing damage to your pocketbook and the environment. There are three basic management levels of lawn care: low, moderate, and high. The lowest level of care is sufficient to keep turf density at a desirable level, while moderate and high maintenance levels are needed to maximize appearance and functionality. For more information, see our article on a Fertilizer application checklist for lawn treatment.
First, check the analysis of your lawn’s soil to determine how much fertilizer is required. The amount of nitrogen you need depends on your soil’s nutrient content. A 40-pound bag of 16-4-8 fertilizer, for example, contains 16 percent nitrogen and four percent phosphorus and eight percent potassium. Use one pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet to treat your lawn. If you’re treating a larger lawn, space additional applications 45 to 60 days apart.
Secondly, you’ll need to consider the vigor level of your lawn. A moderate fertilizer in late September or early October will help prolong the green color during the winter and establish a stronger root system to promote new growth the following spring. You can eliminate the need for a spring fertilization by applying two or three times in the fall. But high fertilization rates require more attention to watering and disease control.
Lastly, if you don’t have a soil test, you can use a fertilizer analysis calculator to determine the amount of fertilizer you need. A fertilizer analysis is a formula of four to six parts nitrogen to one part phosphorus and two to four parts potassium. You should consult a soil test to determine the exact amount of fertilizer needed for your lawn type. Ensure the ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are correct.
Routine maintenance
Whether you have a small patch or a large patch, routine maintenance on your lawn is essential to keep it looking healthy and green. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to improve the appearance of your lawn. The first step is to identify areas that need attention. Then, consider the following tips to help you keep your lawn looking its best year-round. You’ll be glad you did! Below are five ways to improve the look of your lawn.
Pest control
When hiring a pest control service provider, it’s important to have a checklist. This is because pest control jobs have many moving parts and different items to inspect. A checklist can reduce mistakes, complete tasks faster and win more business. Checklists also help the company document which steps have been completed. This can make it easier to determine if a particular pest control strategy will be effective. For example, if you need to treat a lawn for grubs, consider using a pest control analysis checklist to keep track of the details.
While pesticides are widely used, they are not the only option for controlling pests. You can also apply nematode products to control insect populations. Some of these are useful for treating grubs, bill bugs and sod webworms. However, be aware that pesticides are incredibly toxic and should be used with caution. Always follow label directions when using pesticides. For example, insecticides are designed to kill insects, while fungicides are designed to kill fungus. Apply the pesticides only after analyzing the symptoms of the infestation.
You can also prevent pests from attacking your lawn by identifying their entry points. While summer is a good time to treat your lawn, winter poses less light, heat and other factors that break down barriers. By identifying the entry points and constructing strong barriers, you can prevent the problem before it starts. These proactive methods can save you money and time. You can even save yourself a lot of money in the long run by not having to hire a pest control service every time you see a pest.
Another factor to consider is grub activity. Some species of grubs are harmful to your lawn, and you should consider using a Least-Toxic treatment only if there is an activity of five larvae or more per square foot. If you find grub activity of eight or more per minute, you should consider an Integrated Pest Management program. You can learn more about Integrated Pest Management by using the Integrated Pest Management Kit for Building Managers.