Archive for the ‘Pest Control’ Category
The most important part of managing pests in your lawn is maintaining a healthy lawn to begin with. Stressed grasses can be more attractive to various pests and therefore be more susceptible to damage. It will take more work than usual but if you want to reduce the use of chemicals you can do it. Using chemicals when they are not needed will reduce the number of beneficial organisms allowing the pests to return.
When it comes to controlling lawn pests using organic methods, I have found that the two best and safest methods call for the use of either nematodes and or milky spores. Grubs and insects are the biggest challenges to maintaining an organic lawn. It would be easy just to use chemicals but using organic methods will achieve the same results and also protect those playing and living around your lawn.
The presence of one or more harmful insects or grubs can mean there is an imbalance in your lawn’s system. This imbalance can be caused by the use of chemicals and pesticides. Using these chemicals and pesticides can kill more than just the insects and grubs you are after. Beneficial insects and birds can also be impacted.
Nematodes, also known as beneficial nematodes, are microscopic worms. They control grubs and insects by attacking the host. By the way, nematodes will also rid your yard of fleas. Nematodes have a bacteria that attack the insects or grub internal structure with enzymes. Once attacked, the insect or grub will die within one or two days. Nematodes also lay eggs in these pests allowing more to emerge. When you go to buy nematodes I strongly suggest you buy the ones that come in the little blue sponge.
Milky spore works a lot like the nematodes do. Milky spore is a bacteria that infects grubs with milky spore disease. It paralyzes and then kills the grub. The dead grub breaks down thus releasing billions of new spores. It takes one to three weeks for the spore to kill a grub.
Grubs feed in Spring and Fall. This is the best time to apply the milky spore. If applied while the grubs are eating, the spores start working immediately. In warmer climates the optimal level of control happens after one year. In cooler climates you are looking at up to three years.
Weather doesn’t bother milky spore. Rain doesn’t affect it, nor does it freeze. A little watering can help the milky spore penetrate the soil to where the grubs are. Make sure not to mow or rake your yard until the spore has had the opportunity to soak in. Small animals, like skunks and moles, may decline. They feed on grubs and without this food source the will look elsewhere.
Beneficial nematodes and milky spore are the most recomended treatment against pests in your organic lawn. Harmless to everthing except the pests that you are after, beneficial nematodes and milky spore are good courses of treatment. You can find both nematodes and milky spore at your local nursery center. The folks there can help you with any questions you may have.
