Pest Problem? No Problem

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Pest Problem? No Problem:

Prevention is the best approach for managing pests. If you keep your lawn healthy by using good maintenance practices, you find that your yard is less susceptible to pest damage. Sometimes pests just pop up, though. Here are a few healthy, non-hazardous solutions to your pest problems.

Species Problem Solution
Ants Undesirable anthills with poor lawn conditions.
  • Place coffee grounds on anthill.
  • Pour boiling water into anthill.
  • Sprinkle cayenne pepper, bone meal, or powdered charcoal as a barrier strip.- Cover mound with dry potato flakes.
  • Make a solution with the peel of a whole orange steeped in cups of water for 48 hrs; strain and spray directly into areas of entry.
Aphids Feed on different species of plants, which can vary from season to season.
  • Remove with a forceful spray of water on infested, but sturdy plants.
  • Prune and discard heavily infested plant parts.
  • Mix 1 tbsp of dish soap with one cup of vegetable oil.
  • Take 1 tsp of this mixture and add 1 cup of water. Spray on aphids.
  • Try same citrus solution as above.
Chinch Bugs Adults eat dry grass due to drought or thatch build-up, leaving yellow patches of dead grass.
  • Remove thatch, water once a week, fertilize, aerate, and mow high.
Crabgrass An undesired annual, which grows in poor soil conditions.
  • Hand pick before seeding stage.
Dandelions Grows in dead, unhealthy patches by seed and root divisions.
  • Dig out entire root to a depth of 7-10cm, and overseed.
Earwigs Generally beneficial insects that can eat leaves and seedlings, leaving small holes.
  • Mix one part sugar, one part baking soda in a pie plate, set plate with rim level to ground.
  • Use a rolled-up newspaper with vegetable oil and breadcrumbs inside as bait. Place trap near plants at night and check next morning.
Fairy Rings (fungi) Circular patches of dead grass with an inner green ring. Occurs on lawns 5-15 years of age.
  • Repeat spiking ground with garden fork, just outside the dead ring.
  • Soak with soapy water frequently to increase moisture.
  • Reseed the dead areas.
Grubs (June Bugs) Chubby, white larvae, which eat dry, unhealthy grass roots. Leave brown patches of wilted, and dead grass.
  • Water roots once a week, aerate soil, fertilize, and apply a top layer of organic matter.
  • Purchase and apply nematodes.
Mosquitoes Nuisance to people.
  • The mosquito larva stage occurs in stagnant water; therefore, remove all standing water.
  • Use citronella candles.
Pill Bugs Feed on vegetation.
  • Eliminate moist areas.
  • Place a corncobs under a tipped plate in the early evening. Collect bugs in the morning.
Rodents Eat plants as well as being a nuisance to people.
  • Use pheromone traps
  • Remove water source and all sources of shelter and food.
Snails / Slugs Eat vegetation.
  • Place a saucer of beer at ground level.
Yellow Jackets Stings are a threat to the well-being of people. Yellow-jackets have a thin waist and can inflict multiple stings.
  • Dispose of garbage properly.
  • Treat during the evening by vacuuming out nest.

Know Your Friends

Not All “Pests” Are Pests!

The Good Guys How They Help
Bats Eat insects
Bees, Wasps Pollinate various flowers
Birds Eat insects, and weed seeds
Earthworms Aerate the soil, turn organic matter into soil
Ladybugs, Lacewings, Dragon Flies Eat aphids
Spiders Eat insects
Toads Eat slugs, earwigs, cutworms, aphids, flies

 

Nature provides its own form of pest control. Consider natural alternatives before using pesticides because that pesticide may kill your friendly helpers.

WORK WITH NATURE – NOT AGAINST IT!