How to get rid of common lawn & garden pests

It's happened to the best of us... We work hard to fertilize and maintain the perfect lawn but then it happens... a brown spot or two. How could this be? We did everything right! Well, eventually, no matter how diligent you are, you're bound to experience a lawn pest or two. Here are some common lawn pests in the Pacific Northwest and what you can do to get rid of them.

Crane Fly
In the Pacific Northwest, there are many native crane flies and they serve as decomposers in our streams and forests. However, they are also known for wreaking havoc on our lawns. It's the larvae, also known as leather jackets, that feed on the roots of plants, mainly turf grass, and cause the most damage.

​During the summer months, the adult crane flies emerge, mate, and deposit their eggs. Unfortunately, because of their abundance, it isn't practical to try to kill them at this point in the year. You're better off treating the problem in the spring (typically March-April) if the lawn doesn't recover over the winter. You'll know you need to do something if you dig out a patch of lawn 12 inches square and count more than 25-30 larvae. You can use beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms) or insecticides, available at lawn and garden stores.

Slugs
Every garden has slugs, and they can cause more damage than most garden invaders. Like the crane fliers, slugs help with decomposition and are beneficial in creating mulch, however, when they choose to chomp on your hostas, hydrangeas, etc., they're not so loved.

While there are several pesticide choices at your local lawn and garden store, we recommend a more natural approach. Here are a few that are fairly easy to implement.

1. Reduce or eliminate your watering at night. Slugs love dark, moist environments. If you eliminate your evening watering cycle, you take away the environment they love most. This is a great way to rid your garden of the majority of slugs.
2. Sprinkle hazelnut shells around your plantings. The shells have a sharp edge when cracked which keeps the slugs from wanting to crawl over them. You can also use cracked egg shells but we find the hazelnut shells blend in better with your garden.
3. Create borders around your plants with lava rock. Just like the hazelnut shells, the lava rocks have a rough surface which slugs will avoid at all cost. Make sure you leave these mostly above soil so dirt and other debris doesn't create a bridge upon which the slugs can cross.

If you find you're dealing with more lawn pests than you know what to do with, please give the Graham Landscape & Design Maintenance Crew a call. We can come out, assess your situation, and provide the necessary treatments to get your yard back into shape. 541-729-8029