There are various ways to deal with pests.

Pest ControlIntegrated 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 knowledge of various kinds of pests, as well, as different types of tactics 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.