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Lawn Care 101: How to Identify and Eliminate Common Lawn Pests

As homeowners, having a beautiful lawn is the ultimate goal. But the presence of pests can ruin all the hard work and dedication you’ve put in. Summer will be here before we know it and so it’s important to be proactive in identifying and eliminating common lawn pests before they can inflict serious damage to your lawn. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most prevalent pests that can ruin your lawn and provide actionable tips to keep them at bay.

Armyworms

Armyworms are some of the most destructive pests in the lawn care world. These small creatures can multiply quickly and gnaw away at large patches of your lawn in just a few days. Armyworms are often seen during the warm months when they hatch and feed on the grass. Their larvae feed underneath the soil surface, leading to dying patches of grass. To prevent armyworm damage, assess your lawn regularly and keep the grass length above 5 cm so they have less access to the soil.

Grubs

Grubs are common in Australia, with many homeowners not even realising that they have an infestation until the damage is done. These pests are the larvae of several types of beetle. They love to feed on the grass roots, causing brown patches to appear on your lawn. You can tell if you have a grub infestation by looking for signs such as birds scavenging your soil or feeling spongy grass underfoot. To prevent grub damage, keep your lawn healthy with proper watering and fertilisation, encouraging a healthy root system. If you notice grubs, it’s best to take immediate action by using chemical treatments.

Garden Weevils

Garden weevils are small insects with a snout-like nose often found feeding on the leaves of plants in your garden. They love to burrow into the soil and lay their eggs, which can hatch into larvae and cause damage to the roots of your grass or plants. You can identify the presence of weevils by noticing notched edges or holes in the leaves of plants. Keep the soil around your plants well-drained to prevent weevil damage, and do not over-fertilise. Applying an insecticide can also help control their population.

Mole Crickets

Mole crickets also love munching on the grassroots and leaves of the lawn. They especially thrive in warm, moist conditions. The adults have wings and brown bodies with a cricket-like appearance, whereas the larvae have spoon-shaped bodies and are white. They damage grass by burrowing their way through the soil, causing it to loosen and die. To prevent mole cricket damage, keep your lawn well-watered and mowed at a proper height. Pesticides are the most effective solution to control mole cricket populations.

Ants

Ants are not usually thought of as lawn pests, but if left unattended, they can cause significant damage to your turf. Ant mounds can smother out growing grass, and their movement can cause the soil to loosen, making it harder for your lawn to retain nutrients and water. To prevent ant damage, make sure you seal any openings around your home that may allow them to settle and fix any exterior leaks or drips. You can also use insecticides to control an infestation and prevent colonies from forming.

Conclusion:

You can protect your lawn from irreversible damage by proactively identifying and eliminating common lawn pests. With the above tips, you can take control of your lawn’s health and prevent lawn pests from causing trouble. Of course, for all your yard care advice and the quality tools you'll need to get the job done, we're here and ready to help. Just call us or drop into one of our convenient locations for friendly tips!

Top Dressing and Aeration: The Keys to a Healthy Lawn

If you want a healthy lawn, top dressing and aeration are two key steps that you shouldn't overlook. Topdressing is the process of adding a thin layer of soil or other material over the surface of your lawn which helps to fill in any holes or depressions and also helps to improve the overall appearance of your lawn. Aeration is the process of perforating the soil with small holes in order to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass plants. Both top dressing and aeration are important for maintaining a healthy lawn and in this blog post, we discuss the benefits of each and how you can incorporate them into your lawn care routine!

What is topdressing and why is it important?

Topdressing is the process of adding a layer of topsoil to your lawn in order to improve its structure, health, and appearance. This technique plays an important role in maintaining healthy grass, as it helps to repair damage caused by weather, pests, or foot traffic while also rebuilding vital nutrients in the soil. Furthermore, top dressing can help to prevent weed growth and enhance the appearance of your lawn by creating an even surface. Whether you are trying to improve the look and feel of your existing lawn or tackling problems such as thatch buildup or bare spots, top dressing is a valuable tool that should not be overlooked. So if you want to keep your lawn looking beautiful and thriving all year long, be sure to add a layer of topsoil at regular intervals.

How to topdress your lawn

The first step in top dressing your lawn is to mow it a bit shorter than usual. This will help the new topdressing material to settle evenly on the grass. Next, use a rake or hoe to remove any dead grass or debris from the surface of the lawn. Once the area is clear, spread a layer of top dressing material over the lawn. This can be anything from compost to sand to peat moss. Finally, use a rake to lightly spread the material over the surface of the lawn. Allow the area to dry for a few hours before watering it or walking on it. With proper care, top dressing can help to give your lawn a fresh, green look.

What is aeration and what are its benefits

Aeration is a gardening practice that involves perforating the soil with small holes to improve air circulation. This can be done with a special aeration tool or by simply poking holes in the ground with a garden fork. Aeration is important for lawn health because it helps to deliver oxygen and water to the roots of grass, which is essential for good growth. In addition, aeration helps to loosen compacted soil, making it easier for grassroots to take root and grow. As a result, aerating your lawn on a regular basis can help to ensure a healthy, green lawn.

Combining top dressing and aeration for a healthy lawn

Topdressing and aeration are lawn care techniques that are each important for promoting vibrant, green grass, but they work best when they are used together. By combining top dressing with aeration on a regular basis, you can ensure that your lawn is getting all of the nutrients it needs to thrive and stay lush and green no matter what time of year. To make your lawn care easier, we recommend the Sthil Aerator Multi Tool which can be found in store along with all the friendly and professional advice you need to keep your lawn looking great. Alternatively, call us on 1800 558 400, we're always available to help with your yard work needs.

Lawn Care 101: How to Identify and Eliminate Common Lawn Pests

Armyworms

Grubs

Garden Weevils

Mole Crickets

Ants

Conclusion:

Top Dressing and Aeration: The Keys to a Healthy Lawn

What is topdressing and why is it important?

How to topdress your lawn

What is aeration and what are its benefits

Combining top dressing and aeration for a healthy lawn

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