(NAPSA)—If a once-healthy lawn no longer seems to have the dense, lush surface it had (or per- all part of creating a beautiful lawn year after year. While some homeowners pre- fer applying lawn care products haps “dense” and “lush” are two words that have never been associ- to control or eliminate pests themselves, others might feel more comfortable hiring a professional to apply the products. ated with that specific lawn), now is the time to identify the cause of the problem. A lawn must be hardy Regardless, environmental stew- to survive weed, insect and disease attacks. “Pesticides” is the broad term for the insecticides, herbicides and fungicides meant to eliminate or control weeds, nonbeneficial insects, fungus and other diseases. Pesticides may be either synthetic or organic and are used to control a pest—hbeit a weed, insect or disease—problem that has become out of control. “It is usually a good idea to look closer at your lawn to catch potential pest problems before they become too difficult to manage,” says Parwinder Grewal, Ph.D., the Ohio State University associate professor of entomology, nematology and environmentscience. “For example, it is too late for grub control when skunks have started digging the turf in search of a nice meal of fully developed juicy grub larvae.” The first step is to identify the pest and the conditions that led to the pest infestation. After making sure level able cides the pest population is at a that would cause unacceptdamage to the lawn, pestimaybe partof the treatment plan. If you choose to use one, keep these tips in mind: e Always read and follow label directions. Do not apply pesticides on windy days, as they may drift beyondthe application area. Spot treat for weed and insect infestations wheneverpossible. Do not apply a pesticide in or near a water source and keep it off pavement or impervious surfaces that could be washed into waterbodies. e Stay out of treated areas until the spray has dried, dust has settled or as directed on the prod- uct label. Remember, not all insects are pests. Less than 5 percentof all insects are harmful and most of these have natural predators such as other insects, birds, bats and toads to keep them in check. Robust lawns are moreresis- tant to pest attacks than lawns under stress. Correcting soil pH, proper fertilization and other management practices that encourage healthy lawn growth are ardship should be a top priority when managing and maintaining lawns and landscapes. “A lawn is the focal point of recreational activity and aesthetic beauty of a property. Carefully and frequently analyzing a lawn for pests, weeds, diseases and insects will help to identify problems before a threshold of damage occurs. Correcting the problems will ensure a healthy lawn, save money on costly repairs and enhance the quality and appearance of a lawn,” says John Gibson, director of operations for Swingle Tree, Lawn & Christmas Decor, Denver, Colo., and president of the Professional Landcare Network, a national association for professional landscape contractors. Gibson is also a memberof Pro- ject EverGreen, a national non- profit organization formed to raise the awareness of the environmen- tal, economic andlifestyle benefits of landscapes and promotethesignificance of those who preserve and enhance green spaces at home, work and play. For more information about Project EverGreen, visit www.pro jectevergreen.com.
