May 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
In last week’s blog, “Why Should I Aerate My Lawn?“, we discussed why it was important to aerate your lawn. Warm season grasses like bermuda and zoysia should be aerated in the spring/summer months. After the cold months of fall and winter, lawns tend to become damaged from the cool temperatures, debris, and general wear and tear that comes with the little time we spend on our lawns during those months.
Aerating your lawn gives the soil a chance to breathe by removing debris and thatch and allowing it to better absorb oxygen, fertilizer, water, and other nutrients that it needs to thrive into a healthy, green lawn!
Below are pictures taken by our lawn care professionals of a lawn before and after being aerated by Northwest Lawn Care professionals.
Call or go online to schedule a FREE lawn analysis on your lawn. You’ll be enjoying a green, healthy lawn in no time!
Nov 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean no yard work. In fact, fall and winter lawn maintenance is vital to a healthy green lawn in the warmer months. Here are some things to consider when caring for your lawn in the winter:
- Keep it clean. It’s important to keep your lawn clean of debris that could smother grass and promote the growth of weeds. Rake leaves, remove debris, and keep pine straw in the beds. This is also important in keeping unwanted bugs and other pests from finding a home in your lawn or even worse, your home.
- Mow, if necessary. – If your grass is long it can smother itself, cause damage from freezing conditions, or develop diseases. Beware not to cut the grass too short, you could scalp it and cause further damage.
- Fertilize. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphate and focuses on root development rather than lush lead development.
Your lawn is supposed to be enjoyed. So whether it’s having cook outs in the summer, raking leaves in the fall, or building snowmen in the winter…take care of your lawn. And for those of you who like to spend your time and effort elsewhere, call a professional lawn care service to take on the task for you. If you’re looking for lawn care in Atlanta call Northwest Lawn Care.
Apr 16, 2012 | Pest Control
What are the tiny red bugs crawling around my windows?
This is a common question that we get in early spring and late fall. Clover mites are found in warm, sunny places which is why you usually see them around your windows and crawling on your curtains. Clover mites are smaller than the tip of a pencil which allows them to fit into the smallest cracks and crevices around a structure. They are oval shaped with 8 legs. Their 2 front legs are longer than the rest and protrude forward which can be confused with antennae.
Clover mites can be alarming to homeowners because they gather in large numbers but there is no need for alarm. Clover mites do not bite or carry diseases, however they can cause skin irritation to some with sensitive skin. (These are not to be confused with chiggers which look similar but get into the skin and itch.) They do not damage furniture or pursue your food. Clover mite eggs lay dormant in the summer months and hatch in temperatures of 85 F or below. They are attracted to warm, sunny places which leads them to the windows in your home. Clover mites are often identified by the red stain they leave once they have been squashed. The red substance is the pigment in their color, not their blood. Grass and clovers are their main source of food.
There are simple ways to get rid of clover mites in your home. The best way is to vacuum them up. As with any vacuumed pest, make sure that you dispose of the bag immediately in an outdoor trash can. Disposing of the bag is always recommended but is especially an issue when it comes to clover mites because they are so small and can escape from the bag into your home. Another way to get rid of clover mites is to place sticky traps around your windows. As always, prevention is your best option. Clover mites feed on fertilized lawns, so if you are seeing an infestation cut back on the fertilizer. Remove grass that has direct contact to your structure. Instead, use soil, gravel, or mulch because clover mites have difficulty moving on bare, loose terrains. Make sure all window screens are tight fitting. Seal any cracks around the outside of the structure and use weather stripping on entrance areas.
If you are having a consistent problem with clover mites or other pests, it’s best to call Northwest Exterminating. We will ensure that your issue is identified and a customized plan is created for treatment of clover mites.
Are these small red bugs showing up in your home?
