Lawn Insects and Pests
A wide variety of insects and critters live in, and munch on your lawn. It
only make sense, 'cuz after all, your lawn is a great place to live. It's
lush, it's green, and it's filled with good things for those insects and
'varmints to eat.
A normal level of insect activity is to be expected, and it is indicative
of a healthy lawn. When the level of visitors reaches high levels, we notice
and get annoyed. Treating your lawn is effective, yet problematic as once
it is treated, you should stay off it for a while. The chemicals can be harmful
to you, your kids, and your pets.
Because of the harmful nature of insecticides, we recommend reasonable insect
control. We also encourage you to handle them carefully, and apply them as
directed.
The most common of insect problem is grubs., most commonly the
Japanese Beetle grub.
They are effectively controlled, but not eliminated, through insecticide
treatment in mid summer. This is the time when the grub's life cycle begins.
It's the larval stage. The larvae burrows into your turf, intent on fattening
up on your lawn's roots, prior to hibernating for the winter. This is when
you want to apply a "Fertilizer and Grub" killer. It is important to do it
just after they have gone into your turf. Applying grub killer before they
have entered the lawn is a waste of chemicals into the environment. Watch
for the right time in your area. Ask a local lawn and garden store if you
are not sure. More on Japanese
Beetles
There are a whole host of other insects that also enjoy your lawn, some for
only a brief visit, and others an entire season if allowed. There are a variety
of insect sprays you can use to combat any serious infestation. But again,
we emphasize caution. Applying an insecticide will eliminate insects, but
you should also stay off the lawn for a period of time as indicated in the
instructions on the label of the insecticide.
Other Varmints
Insects are not the only pests bothering your lawn. Undoubtedly, the most
damaging of them are Moles. Blind as can be, moles tunnel under your lawn,
looking for insects and other goodies to eat. Your healthy lawn has plenty,
so once moles move in, they are hard to get rid of. Lawncare and pesticide
companies have many options for you to choose from in fighting a vole or
vole infestation. They include:
Mole Poisons- harmful to the environment and not always effective.
High pitched sounds- this only sends the mole to your neighbor for a while.
Mole traps- there is a wide variety to choose from.
Toxic Gases- But, you may never know if you "smoked 'em out".
A very effective tool is the traditional mouse trap with a little peanut
butter. Set this next to an active hole, and cover it with a small container
to shelter it from pets and weather. Voila, the Moles sniff the peanut butter
and the rest is history along with the mole. Mousetraps also are harmless
to the environment.
Tip: Partially chew a piece of chewing gum and set it in an active
hole. The mole will eat it, but can not digest it and will die.
More on Moles and Voles
Your pet dog is sometimes unfriendly to your lawn. When your dog,
or a neighbor's dog, urinates on the lawn, the nitrogen in the urine is so
strong that it will burn a brown spot in the lawn. If you see the dog urinate,
immediately flush the area with water. If you do not see it happen, the brown
spot will appear in a few days. Flush it with water and immediately re-seed
the spot.
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