Avoid the Chinch Club

 

The Chinch Bug Club is now open for business on YOUR lawn, causing damage from June 28th to mid July depending on what area you live in.

Those living closer to the lake will experience signs of activity first as your turf buffet gets attacked by this invasive pest.

So, what to do?

Since we are under bylaws that prohibit the ability to kill them outright, we must turn to other methods to make life difficult for this insect.

They don't like deeply hydrated lawns, so keeping it wet is a good idea. Adding a soapy mixture (dish soap will do) to affected areas creates a inhospitable environment also.

Cutting your grass on an angle is another tool you can use. Laying plastic over the infested area at night and then removing it in the morning when they are all clinging to the underside is another method. Some people will tell you to simply Shop-Vac the little buggers up when they are present. 

Which ever way you choose, or what ever combo plan you utilize, this is one club you don't want to join. The dues are too high.

Mother Nature, the raining champion

 

We've had quite a lot of rain this spring and it has been difficult to work around when applying weed control to lawns. In fact, it seemed, every time down pours were expected, we were always the furthest from base on that day.

Working around the weather is not uncommon at this time of the year. However, this season seems different---more challenging. It seems like the rain comes with malicious intent like someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the lawn industry, but as always, those in our occupation will persevere.

On the flip side, the homeowner praised the continuous slop. Rain, meant one more day they didn't have to water there lawns and gardens and Mother Nature began to come across as a gracious host and trusted friend.

Yet, as we turn from one season to another and July is viewable on the horizon, the rain is less so. The false sense of security has lulled many into believing their lawns are healthy and in no need of assistance.

All it takes is a few days without precipitation in higher temperatures, and the cracks begin to appear--- the brown areas become more evident---the insect activity more prolific. Suddenly, your nice, healthy lawn doesn't look so good.

So do yourself a favour and start watering deeply two times a week in the early morning to saturate your soil and give your grass a fighting chance this summer. Very soon, it will be too late and you'll be looking at a sea of brown until it recovers in the fall.