How to Keep Lawn Bugs at Bay

Lawn bugs can be detrimental to a healthy yard, but being adamant about the best lawn care practices can make all of the difference. White grubs, chinch bugs and moths are all the signs of a lawn that is not getting enough attention. There are two simple practices that can have a great impact on keeping lawn bugs from creating problems in your yard: Regular irrigation and proper mowing.

Irrigation is important

Bugs appear in lawns that are already having problems, and dry soil attracts all sorts of invaders. You cannot expect to have a healthy lawn if your soil is thirsty, and grass that is not properly watered will never thrive. To keep pests and lawn diseases at bay you must know when to water your lawn, as well as how to prevent overwatering from occurring.

Knowing the proper time to irrigate and amount of water that is required for your lawn is vital, and these factors vary depending on your location. Generally watering should occur as early in the morning as possible, this way your lawn has a full day of sunlight to help it dry. If you don’t give your lawn the opportunity to dry, the roots of the grass will not be able to have a firm grasp on the soil, resulting a soggy yard full of dead, brown grass.

The amount of water that is necessary depends on many factors, mostly involving your area’s climate. You’ll need to adjust this amount depending on the recent rainfall patterns. During the times of year with the most precipitation it may not be necessary to manually irrigate your lawn at all, but during drought season irrigation will make or break your yard. If you aren’t sure about the correct watering practices for your grass type or climate get in touch with a lawn care expert, they’ll be able to shed some light on the best way to maintain this delicate balance.

Mow your lawn correctly

Many homeowners think they are mowing their lawn correctly, but unless you are familiar with the best mowing practices this is not the case. Mowing is not just an aesthetic choice, it promotes healthy grass and prevents thatching and lawn bugs. Here are some of the most important tips for correct mowing:

  • Never mow when the ground is moist. If you attempt to mow when the ground is moist you’ll not only end up with a muddy mess, you’ll be reducing the chances of the roots of the grass keeping firm contact with the ground.
  • Never remove more than ⅓ of the total grass length. Various types of grass have different ideal lengths, and you always want to mow to this level. Instead of waiting around to cut the grass, you want to cut it each time the ideal length will be achieved by removing only ⅓rd of each blade.
  • Sharpen your mower blades regularly. If the blades on your mower become dull, they will begin to tear the grass instead of slicing it cleanly. This is damaging to your lawn, so you want to make sure that your mower’s blades are always sharp and performing at their best. How frequently this needs to be done depends on the type of mower you have, the type of grass that is in your lawn and the size of your yard.
  • Know when to bag your clippings. During certain times of the year, such as milder seasons, you should always bag your clippings. Forgoing this during the hottest point of summer will help the soil remain moist by providing a protective layer from direct sunlight and heat.

If mowing becomes more of a challenge than you are ready to take on, you may need to hire a professional lawn maintenance company to take care of this task. By leaving mowing to the professionals you will know that blades are always being kept sharp and the proper height is maintained. Don’t allow your busy schedule to conflict with your healthy grass, and know when to ask for help.

TruGreen will gladly visit your property as often as needed between scheduled visits to make any necessary adjustments and to ensure your satisfaction.

Getting Started with TruGreen

  1. Call or fill out the form above to reach a lawn care specialist.
  2. Know the square footage of your yard, as well as any specific areas of concern.
  3. With the help of your specialist, create a customized lawn care plan that meets your lawn’s needs.
  4. Schedule your Healthy Lawn Analysis2 to start your service.