Ants

Ants are one of the most common insect problems Lawn & Weed Solutions is asked to treat. The mounds of soil the colonies create produce uneven spots in the lawn which when mown are scalped with most of the grass plant removed, creating areas for weeds or moss to colonise.

The mounds of fine earth should be allowed to dry out and then brushed vigorously with a heavy bristled brush to sweep the soil particles level across the lawn. Ant Treatment is much more effective by using a trowel to dig ¾ inches into the nest and applying the ant powder deep into the nest, then replacing the soil/ grass. This method will be more effective than puffing the ant powder onto the grass where it will usually just scorch the grass. A new queen ant may move into the treated ant nest and start a new colony. Tolerance and aggressive brushing is the best option. Alternatively if you have a serious problems we can treat.

 

Crane Fly Larvae nicknamed “Leather Jackets”

Between July and September Crane fly or “Daddy long legs”, lay hundreds of eggs in lawns across the country. The recent mild wet winters have led to a huge increase in the leather jacket population. The eggs hatch between late autumn and early spring with a maggot like leather jacket larvae emerging and feeding on the grass roots and shoots. Grass less than 5- 6 years old is particularly susceptible as the roots remain succulent and easy to digest by the larvae. Low winter temperatures and frosts usually control numbers but the mild damp winters experienced in recent years have not had the desired effect. Leather jackets can strip large areas of a lawn in a few days. If you notice bare patches or dead or dying straw like grass appearing in your lawn or birds pecking at the lawn pulling thatch out then call us. Any bare areas will quickly be colonised by weeds or moss. We can quickly identify insect damage and our treatments are safe, efficient, effective and much cheaper than replacing large sections of your lawn.

 

Garden Chafer Grub

With its prawn like appearance the white grey plump larvae of the chafer beetle can seriously damage the root system of a lawn. Damage is usually noticeable in the late summer/ autumn. In severe cases where the roots of the turf has been eaten through and badly damaged you will be able lift your turf off the soil surface by hand.

If you notice patches of lawn browning and dying and large numbers of birds particularly larger bird varieties pecking your lawn you probably have an insect problem. Please act quickly as delays will result in increased damage. Control is quick and effective. 

 

Worm casts

Worms in general are to be encouraged as their burrowing helps to aerate the soil. Worms feed on and recycle decaying vegetable matter. A few species deposit their muddy waste on the soil surface where in wet weather it can smear when in contact with your foot or mower. The smear marks are unsightly and can act as ideal spots for weeds to germinate.

We have a range of products that discourages the earthworm from depositing casts on your lawn by encouraging them to dig down deeper into the soil. The treatment is economic and effective, keeping the lawn looking clean and preventing smears and weeds encroaching.

 

Moles

Invade lawns and gardens in search of food (worms etc) They do not damage lawns for fun they are establishing a set of tunnels to trap worms. Moles dislike noise and vibration and strong smells. Moth balls have been recommended but we have mixed reports about their efficiency. We can treat your lawn to encourage the worms (food source) to borrow deeper and avoid the tunnels. Without a regular supply of worms for food hopefully the moles moves away to hunt for food elsewhere. Traps and poisons are not the answer but profitable for the mole catcher. If you kill one mole in our experience another one replaces it until the food source is gone!

 

Urine scorch marks

Animal urine particularly from female dogs and even foxes can cause the grass to turn brown and die. Irrigation to reduce the affect of the urine will help. Dog Rocks is a specialist product that is dropped in your dogs water has produced positive results in many cases. Alternatively encourage your pet to use a specific area  in the garden.

 

If you think you have any of the above problems call us we have treatments that are cost effective and efficient.