Everyone wants a great looking lawn. The smell of the fresh, green grass and how it somehow relieves our stress and worries for the day. The feel of the cool winds sweeping off your face, the chirping of the birds, while you feel the tickling healthy grass under your feet. And of course, if we want a beautiful home, then we should have a great looking lawn too.
But you also know that all of these need a lot of work to achieve. How many times did we plan or schedule lawn work over the weekend, then fail miserably because, well, it is so nice to stay in bed during the weekends? In that case, it would really be very difficult to get that perfect and healthy lawn.
Things do not have to be difficult, however. What you can do is make the right schedule and follow it; do not do everything at once during your days off from work.
Important Lawn Care Activities
In order for you to have that great looking lawn, there are some tasks you have to do. Of course, nothing of such beauty can be had instantly. Here are the most important lawn care activities you should do:
- Fertilizing - This is a very important task in trying to get a healthy lawn. Your lawn gets hungry from time to time and craves feeding. When applying fertilizer, follow directions. Fertilizing should be done twice in early spring. Then fertilize once in the fall. It is highly recommended that you divide your lawn into sections; then each week fertilize each section until you fertilize the entire lawn. This would take less than an hour each weekend.
- Watering - Lawns are always thirsty for water. They need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week. Watering the lawn can be either from the rain or from irrigation. Water your lawn weekly. Be mindful of how much water you use so as to avoid water wastage.
- Mowing - A weekly mowing in the summer months is adequate. Avoid cutting the grass too short. Do not cut more than ⅓ of the total length of the grass. Make sure that the blade of your lawn mower is always sharp. If you can see that the ends of the grass are either yellow or white, then your blade is most probably dull. Mow the grass when it is dry for better results. Also, do not mow during the heat of the day.
- Edging - This is a great way to define the borders between the lawn and other areas of the landscape. Purchase a good edge trimmer and use it once a week for that great finishing touch.
- Controlling the weeds - Weeds can really take away the joy in your lawn. If you properly water and fertilize your grass, the weeds would certainly be eliminated. In the early spring, put herbicide, plus spot treatments as needed during the summer. This will certainly keep your lawn weed-free. This would only take half an hour.
To make things easy for you, complete one task each weekday. No sweat! By the time the weekend comes, you are just going to sit back and relax.
Outdoor Pests And How To Make Your Lawn Pest-free
Now that you have arranged the perfect schedule for your lawn care, it is time to relax. But wait, you find out that there are insects that are spoiling your day outdoors. We've put together a few outdoor pests that we should be wary of, and tips on how to protect our lawns from them.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on the planet. They bite, and their bites are irritating and itchy. Aside from that, mosquitoes are known to spread diseases. Among the diseases they spread are malaria, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile Fever, and Zika virus.
Mosquitoes are small insects, measuring .125 to .75 cm and suck human blood. Only the female adults suck blood since the males are not equipped with the necessary mouthparts to do so. The females have two tubes, one is for secreting enzymes that would prevent blood clotting, and the other tube is to suck blood. The males feed on nectar. Mosquitoes breed in standing water.
These insects have poor eyesight. They get to their hosts through the carbon dioxide emitted by these potential hosts. They can also use scent from hosts as well as sweat as a way for them to detect hosts.
To get rid of mosquitoes, remove any materials that can hold water. Old items like used tires, old cans, gutters, abandoned birdbaths, and water containers should be thrown away.
When going outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. It may be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it is a very good way to keep the mosquitoes away from biting you. Use a mosquito repellent. Get one that is Environment Protection Agency approved.
Flies
House flies thrive on filth. Due to this, they are major carriers of diseases. They are 4 to 7.5 mm long, usually gray in color with four dark lines in the thorax. They can be found both inside and outside our homes.
They on animal feces, rotting food, body excretions, garbage, and dead animals. But they also like fresh foods. By crawling on our food, they transmit diseases. The bacteria and viruses they carry can cause diseases like diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and food poisoning.
To stop flies from invading your lawn, make sure to clean up. Cover your trash cans and garbage bins. Always dispose of your garbage regularly. Be ready with a fly swatter too.
Clean around your lawn. Flies are also attracted to animal feces, so clean up after your pets.
Wasp Hornet
A wasp hornet is a highly aggressive type of wasp and can attack without provocation. Be careful around them because their stings are painful. A hornet is an inch long, dark in color with white, cream, or yellow markings on the abdomen, thorax, and face. They make paper-like nests out of chewed wood and their saliva. Their nests are large and are usually found in wooded areas and are hanging on tree branches. They can also build nests at the side of houses and utility poles.
Yellowjacket wasps
They are known to be the most dangerous type of wasps. They are black in color with yellow markings. Yellowjacket wasps look for food near garbage bins, and they nest underground, usually whenever they find rodent burrows. Yellowjackets do not travel far away from their nests. There are around 5,000 yellow jacket wasps in a colony. Yellowjackets sting when they feel threatened and are highly territorial. They have a powerful sting and can be deadly for some people who might be allergic to their venom. When you see one flying around, do not attempt to kill it. For one, if you fail, the yellow jacket wasp would see you as a threat and will definitely attack you. If you succeed, the dead were would only release pheromones, which signals to the other yellow jacket wasps that one of their comrades is in trouble and would soon come to its aid. This is a situation you would want to avoid.
Wasps and bees are attracted to sweet scents, so it is best not to wear sweet-smelling perfume. These wasps are also fond of sugary sodas. Avoid drinking sodas in a can when outdoors, and instead, transfer the contents in a glass. At least, in a glass, you can see them. When you see their nests, do not remove them by yourself. Ask for assistance, our professionals can help!
These are some of the pests you may encounter on your lawn, and the ways you can handle them.
But if you want to rest easy and let others do the dirty work, you can ask the professionals to do it. You may call on the services of the best pest control management in North Carolina, Go-Forth Home Services.
Go-Forth Is Simply The Best
Go-Forth Home Services is a family-owned commercial service solutions provider of modern pest control services and techniques, using the latest and most advanced technology in the business, making our service to you more efficient, safer, and more convenient. We have a team of expert professionals who can provide the best pest control services to residents and business establishments all throughout North and South Carolina.
We bring in a new and fresh approach to the pest control industry, using family-friendly and pet-friendly methods of extermination that caters to your specific needs. Our expert experience in exterminating pests like cockroaches, weevils, mosquitoes, mice, flies, termites, ants, and spiders can really make you say goodbye to these pests in your home. You may check us on Facebook or Google us to see what our satisfied customers have to say about us.
Go-Forth Home Services has earned the trust of residents and businesses in North Carolina for more than 50 years. For more information, or to set an appointment, just dial (877) 274-1475. Our friendly operators are standing by.