Month: September 2016

Now that we’re heading into fall, you’re probably sighing in relief when you think of your lawn. After all, the hot, humid weather is just about finished, which means that you don’t have to water your lawn as often, and soon you’ll have a break from cutting it, too.

Southwestern PA Grub Problems

The season isn’t over yet, though—and there are still possible problems that you may see. The end of summer and early fall can actually be the most damaging to your lawn due to grub activity. Grubs are the larvae of beetles. In our area, this particular insect includes Japanese beetles, May/June beetles, and oriental beetles. These grubs are easily recognizable by their C-shaped, white appearance. Grubs typically hatch between late August and early October in our area and immediately start to feed on grass roots. After they eat the roots, they go deep into the ground and become dormant. Once the weather becomes warmer in the spring, they begin their metamorphosis into beetles. By summer, they emerge from the ground, eat, lay eggs, and the next generation of beetles begins.

How Do I Know That I Have Grubs?

Homeowners should look for the following signs during this time of year. You may see brown patches present and grass beginning to wilt in those sections. Your lawn may feel soft and spongy. Since the grubs are feeding on the roots, the lawn can sometimes be “rolled back” like a carpet, exposing white grubs at the soil surface. Another sign of grub activity can be the presence of skunks, raccoons, or even birds digging up the lawn as they look for grubs to eat.

If you recognize any these signs and think that you have active grubs, Superior Lawn Care can apply a curative grub control to help manage the problem and prevent further damage from occurring. If possible, this treatment should be heavily watered into your lawn so the applied product will begin working immediately.

Superior Lawn Care provides grub control applications anywhere in southwestern PA, including Wexford, Moon Township, Murrysville, Peters Township, Indiana, Upper St. Clair, and North Huntington. Call us today to ensure that you have a healthy, green lawn throughout the year.

Fall is the most important season for your lawn’s maintenance. That’s because your turf is preparing for a long winter and is working to take in the nutrients and water and that it needs to continue through the important fall growing season, survive during the cold weather, and then thrive again in the spring.

Fall Lawn Care Maintenance Discount 

Superior Lawn Care has a great fall offer for our current customers, which combines aeration, lime, and overseeding. If you schedule your fall service now, you’ll save 6%. Our special offer includes:

• Aeration. Aeration is the process of loosening dry, compacted soil. It reduces thatch, lets your lawn breathe, and allows moisture into the root zone of existing grass plants. Your lawn will then develop a stronger root system. Fall aeration also enhances the effects of overseeding because seeds have a greater chance to germinate in and around the holes and plugs caused by aeration.

• Lime. Fall lime applications are important in reducing acidic soil conditions, which makes it easier to have greener grass and stronger root development. The right Ph balance of soil conditions also means that your lawn will respond better to fertilizer.

• Overseeding. Fall overseeding continually strengthens your grass by introducing new and more vigorous varieties of grass seed into your lawn. With cooler temperatures and enough moisture, overseeding is best done in September through November. Coupled with aeration, overseeding is ideal for filling in minor bare spots and thin areas caused by disease or drought.

Used together, each of these services will help to ensure that your lawn is prepared for the winter and stays green and healthy year-round.

We recommend this full slate of services for every lawn, every fall. Areas that Superior covers include Indiana, Greensburg, Peters Township, Moon Township, Cranberry, and Uniontown, as well as most of southwestern Pennsylvania. Call or contact us today to learn more about our fall lawn service special for current customers.