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Summer Lawn Problems

Warm weather is always welcome after the chill and rain of spring move along. With summertime comes a few lawn issues to look out for, so make sure you’re informed!

Lawn Pests

There are several pests that can take up residence in your lawn. While moles and other munching animals can certainly be a nuisance, we’ve decided to focus on ones that can do harm to YOU.

Mosquitos

Most of the time, mosquitos are a harmless albeit annoying pest. Their bite can sting and itch temporarily and then dissipate. Unfortunately, mosquitos are capable of things slightly more sinister than a red bump, and evidence has already been found in Middle Tennessee.

West Nile Virus– There have been no human cases of the West Nile virus in Tennessee as of now, but pools of West Nile-positive mosquitos were found in Shelby County at the beginning of this month. Unfortunately, there are no medications or vaccines to prevent WNV, but most people infected will have no symptoms (cdc.gov). About 20% of people who are infected will develop a fever, and less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness.

Zika virus- Zika virus has been a hot topic in the news in recent years. Zika is spread through mosquito bites, but can also be transferred from a mother to her fetus if she is pregnant. The virus is typically accompanied by only mild symptoms, ranging from fever and headache to joint and muscle pain.

Ticks

Ticks are often a pest that we only think about after rummaging in tall weeds or going camping, but ticks can truly be anywhere outdoors. We recommend a tick lawn treatment to avoid the following health hazards.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever- Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by a tick. While reports of the disease have been reported in most of the continental US, five states (including Tennessee) account for over 60% of the cases. Signs and symptoms of the illness include a severe headache, high fever, and a rash on the wrists and ankles. Rocky Mountain spotted fever responds well to prompt treatment with antibiotics, but without treatment can cause serious damage to internal organs, such as the kidneys and heart.

Lyme disease- Lime disease is also transmitted through ticks and typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Red meat allergy- While the disease isn’t officially named, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports that a certain type of tick, the Lone Star tick, is being linked to the development of an allergy to red meat. The tick bit releases a sugar called alpha-gal into the blood stream. The person’s immune system responds by producing antibodies, and the next time the person eats red meat, the body responds with an allergic reaction such as hives or stomach cramps. Sometime the reaction can be more sever through the whole body that can include difficulty breathing.

Our Treatment

Pure Green uses organic hybrid treatments to prevent and eradicate lawn pests, meaning the formula is safe for use around kiddos and family pets. Our treatments are applied approximately every 30 days from May through October. These tick lawn treatments keep the pest population under control while ridding your lawn of ones that may have already arrived.

Watering

Watering in the summer can feel like a balancing act. Too much or too little water can cause serious problems for your turf. We recommend:

  1. A consistent schedule- Water in the morning to ensure the most success for your lawn.
  2. Lots of water, less often- Deeper water will penetrate the soil and encourage deeper root growth.
  3. Shrubs and trees- Planting shrubs or trees in problem areas of your lawn is a great natural solution.

See more information: Lawn Care Management: Top 3 Watering Tips

Ultimately, the summer is hot and dry in Middle Tennessee and watering will be a major key to the success of your lawn for the upcoming seasons.

Lawn Diseases

The start of summer is the prime time for disease to spread in your lawn. In Middle Tennessee we’ve been seeing:

  • Dollar spot
  • Brown patch
  • Lawn rust

Don’t be discouraged, we work on treating your lawn with organic treatments so that it is ready for the upcoming season. In case you missed it, hear Nathan Brandon explain the Pure Green process.

Nathan Brandon Discusses Lawn Disease (Video)

Summertime is a crucial time to keep your lawn healthy and happy. Our treatments during this time and your daily care will promote Great Green Grass and an outdoor space you can enjoy!