STOP PESTering ME!

Many times, when we think of pest we think of deer, ants, and moles. The truth is that under the surface of the grass there is a naturally occurring warzone. Many times, pesticides or herbicides are used to eliminate problems we see on top of the lawn. Without knowing what exactly we are looking at or what we are looking at can be harmful to the lawn itself. Our lawns have natural defense systems. Predators and prey. 

We must first properly identify and correctly identify and monitor which is friend and which is foe. Take for example the Chinch bug and the Big-Eyed bug, often misidentified due to how similar in appearance. They are sworn enemies.  The Chinch bug when left uncontrolled can cause havoc on a lawn. The Big-Eyed preys on Chinch bugs, so the more Big-Eyed bugs the less damaging Chinch bugs. 

Natural fungal diseases such Beauvarias that is found is soil is a natural predator as well. Often when we think of fungal disease, we think the worst. In reality this fungal disease helps protect the lawn from pest. Starting at the canopy all the way down to the soil Beauvarias attacks pes t such as Chinch bugs, Sod Worms, and Billbugs. Mother nature has designed ways to protect our beautiful lawns with natural defensives already in place.

Chemical control can often interrupt this natural defense system.  It can kill off the "pest" that we should keep in the lawn. Chemicals do not identify friend or foe, killing off the essentials in the long run can cause real pest problems down the road. Note the fact that over long-term use of pesticides can also become less effective as some pest start to resist the chemicals all together such as Chinch bugs and billbugs. 

Pesticides can be very useful when properly trained and knowing when, where, and how to correctly use the product. Many pesticides on the market today are not registered for use on turfgrass. Identifying the problem and knowing the history of the turfgrass is a very key element when deciding whether or not to use a pesticide.  Pesticides are better when they are used as a preventative tool. Controlling the problem before it exists. Unfortunately, after problems come to full term pesticides have little if any effect being a solution, rather becomes a problem for the lawn.