Pest
Control:
There
are various ways to deal with pests.
| Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) is the method used by most lawn care
professionals. Using more than one method to control pests utilizes
the latest scientific methods and employs a variety of different
elements involved in getting rid of pests. IPM is a holistic approach
that requires a thorough knowledge of plants and grasses. |
|
Also,
the various kinds of pests, as well as all the different types of tactics
that are effective in pest control. No two IPM programs are identical
and the IPM for your lawn will constantly change depending on the season
and condition of the lawn. The optimal IPM plan will take into account
how effective, safe and economical any given method is before using
it in the program.
Armed with knowledge
of the life cycle and biology of turfgrass insect pests, our lawncare
professionals are able to foresee problems before they reach damaging
stages. Close examination of grass blades and thatch as well as the
telltale signs of animals or birds feeding on the lawn are signs of
a need for pest control.
Not all insects
are bad for your lawn. Some will actually feed on harmful pests; some
help in recycling organic material. Each pest has an "action threshold"
where the number of pests per square foot is such that pesticide use
is needed. This threshold differs even between species of a certain
type of insect. This is why proper identification of insects is crucial.
IPM has three strategies:
- Cultural
- Biological
- Chemical
A balance of these
methods ensures that prevention is as high a priority as correction.