Most homeowners know what services are necessary for good lawn care: proper mowing, aeration, overseeding, adequate hydration and fertilizer. Aeration is one of the most beneficial lawn care services, especially if you live in an area that experiences episodes of little to no rainfall. Aerating your lawn will allow the water from your irrigation system to reach the grass roots directly and be immediately absorbed. However, even though aeration ensures that your lawn and soil are manipulated, you should go one step further and also have your soil periodically tested by a lawn care professional.

A soil test is a fairly simple procedure and many lawn care companies offer the service for free in conjunction with their lawn care programs. The lawn care technician will take a small soil sample and have it sent to a lab. A qualified soil expert will examine the sample and look at the pH level (acidity); the presence or absence of such macronutrients as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; the presence or absence of such micronutrients as iron, calcium, zinc, boron, manganese, copper and other nutrients that deter weed growth and enhance the lawn’s resistance to insect and disease infestations; the soil type, which can help your lawn care technician create a preventative plan to reduce the incidence of compaction; and levels of decomposed plant material, also known as thatch.

Once the results are back, your lawn care specialists can consult with you on what the best plan of action is regarding your lawn care regimen. To schedule a soil analysis, call your local lawn care company today.

Mowing might seem like the simplest of Tulsa lawn care tasks, but it is actually quite important to know how to properly mow your Tulsa lawn to ensure the best results. Over-mowing or mowing at the wrong times or height can have detrimental effects on your Tulsa lawn. Here are some Tulsa lawn care tips on proper mowing procedures.

Most Tulsa lawns are dormant during the winter months, so once spring rolls around, it is time to drag the mower out and get back into the routine. But when you should begin mowing? Lawn care technicians recommend keeping the mower stored away until the ground is thoroughly thawed. Once the ground is soft, that means that grass is growing and mowing it will not cause any damage to the crowns or the shoots.

Most people know that allowing the excess clippings to remain on the Tulsa lawn is beneficial because as the clippings deteriorate, they become natural fertilizer for the soil below. However, for the first few cuts, attach the bag and gather the clippings. Allow your Tulsa lawn to grow and breathe without the weight of clippings on top of it.

Lawn care professionals recommend mowing your Tulsa lawn at a slightly shorter height than you may typically have your mower set. If you normally mow at three inches, take it down to two. This will allow your Tulsa lawn better stimulation to get the season started off right.

If you have any questions about spring mowing, contact your local Tulsa lawn care professionals.

Anyone who is an animal owner probably knows that dogs and cats will eat the strangest things – including bugs. In fact, in my house, if there’s a fly, all I have to do is alert my cat to this fact (if he isn’t already on the job) and he will flit about the house until he catches that fly with his paw and quickly maneuver the insect into his mouth where he happily chews this buzzing treat. It’s gross, but honestly, I have no problem with it.

Letting our pets do our bug hunting for us is an all-too-easy task and you may not see any harm in the habit. In most cases, you both win – you get rid of the bug and the pet gets an apparently tasty snack. However, we may not consider that these insects could be hazardous to our furry friends.

If you or your neighbors have your Tulsa lawn or landscape treated by a Tulsa pest control company, there may be areas where you need to keep your family pet away from so he doesn’t come into contact with the chemicals. But what if insects that have had contact with the treated plants get into your home? They may have remnants of the Tulsa pest control spray on them which could pose a serious threat to a cat or dog if ingested.

If your yard is being treated by a Tulsa pest control company, you may want to ask about child- and pet-friendly applications. If those aren’t available, take steps to ensure your pet stays away from the area and for the time being, and dissuade them when possible from eating insects. This might mean you’ll actually have to do the bug-squashing yourself and your pup or kitty might get angry that you took away the hunt, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Pest Control Tip: Make a Plastic Ziploc Bag Trap

• Place a few slices of an apple or other sweet fruit inside a freezer bag.
• Open that bag about an inch to allow the fruit flies to enter and surround the fruit.
• Zip the bag closed, trapping them inside and release them outside.

Vacuum Cleaner Method

• Pest control experts say fruit flies tend to congregate in certain areas, so if your vacuum is powerful and has a good filter you can easily suck up lots of them and eliminate them from your home.
• Use the vacuum cleaner attachment and to suck the flies into the shaft.
• Trick the flies. Dip a couple pieces of paper towel or cotton swabs in jelly or cider vinegar and then securely tape them inside the vacuum cleaner attachment. When the flies start going inside, turn on the vacuum cleaner and get them by surprise!

Pest control experts recommend disposing the dust and other contents of the vacuum outside or get rid of the inner bag in order to keep these flies from getting back into your home.

During the winter we prepare for harsh weather by piling on layers of clothing and wearing heavy coats, gloves, hats and scarves; unfortunately, not many people think about how the living things in their yards and gardens react to the cold.  Trees and shrubs are vulnerable to cold weather just like we are.  If new growth in the early  Fall doesn’t have enough time to harden off, experts say the sudden drop in temperatures can create ice crystals that can rupture cell walls, resulting in dead branch tips and branches.

Officials at a state cooperative extension service say one of the biggest problems for trees and shrubs is the sharp temperature change from day into night during the winter.  They say that dramatic change can actually freeze the water in the trunks of trees, causing them to explode or split open.  That reaction is called frost cracking.  Sometimes these cracks can close when warm weather returns, if the damage isn’t that severe.  Many shrubs can suffer from something similar, called bark split.  Extension service officials say those particularly susceptible are many cultivars of evergreen azaleas.  In most cases plants close over the cracks with no treatment necessary.

During this winter there are some things you can do to protect your trees and shrubs.  You can wrap the trunks with burlap strips or commercial tree wrap.  Experts also recommend painting the trunks white or shading them with a board to prevent bark splitting.  These methods reflect sunlight and reduce temperature fluctuations, like the buildup of heat during the day, that cause splitting.  All wraps should be removed after one season to stop insect or moisture damage.

Dust mites are a common problem for many homeowners and are the cause of mild to severe allergic reactions, as well as asthma attacks. It is virtually impossible to eliminate dust mites completely, but Tulsa pest control experts say you can control them by simply keeping your home clean.

Dust mites live in our carpets, bedding, couches, recliners and any other furniture where they can embed themselves. They prefer humidity and are commonly found in areas that are covered with fabric or are considered “fluffly.” If you were to stir up one of these areas, the dust mites would become airborne and get into your mouth, nasal passages and lungs. This is where they create the most problems because many people are allergic to dust mites. Pest control specialists recommend a few simple tips to keep your allergies to a minimum and controlling the population of dust mites in your home:

• Use your vacuum cleaner often. Vacuum all areas of your home and include your couches, beds and other furniture as part of your vacuuming.
• Keep your washing machine busy. Wash bedding, sofa covers, rugs, curtains and other fabrics frequently in hot water.
• Keep your home dry. Since dust mites thrive in humid areas, keeping your home cool and dry should help keep populations to a minimum.
• Vacuum air ducts and other ventilation areas to keep dust from accumulating. Change filters on schedule.
• Dust all surface areas frequently.
• If your children have stuffed animals, wash them periodically in hot water.

Pest control professionals say instilling a regular cleaning routine in your home should keep dust mite populations down and your allergies under control. It is important to clean areas often overlooked such as under beds, behind furniture and on top of cabinets.

Earwigs are insects that really don’t cause any problems and are virtually harmless, but their appearance and quick reproduction still make them an unwelcomed Tulsa pest. Pest control experts say the only real problem earwigs pose is their excretions, which cause a foul odor.

Earwigs are nesting insects, and typically nest outdoors around the foundation of your home, in leaves, mulch or straw. Pest control technicians recommend removing the nests to stop them from entering your home through unsealed cracks and crevices at night when they are most active.

Within the home, earwigs are often found in areas of clutter, which serve as excellent hiding spots for these insects. They are commonly found in piled up newspapers and even in some house plants. Earwigs feed on almost anything, so virtually everything is a food source for them, as long as they’re allowed to hide within the clutter of your home.

If earwigs are a serious problem around the home, your local Tulsa pest control company will spray around your foundation and seal any cracks or crevices. They will also spray around windows, plumbing, doors and garbage cans. This application should keep earwigs out of your home until the next treatment is due. Call your Tulsa pest control company for more information on keeping your home earwig-free.

As the cooler temperatures arrive and you’ll soon be exchanging your leaf rake for snow shovel, consider a few simple leaf raking tips that will help winterize your Tulsa lawn while increasing your chances for a better spring green-up.

How well you maintain the leaves in your Tulsa lawn is a large indicator for how healthy and prepared your Tulsa lawn will be for next season. When neglected, leaves can suffocate and rob turf of sunlight, water and other essential nutrients. For every leaf that lies on top of your turf, multiple blades of grass beneath it run the risk of browning or even worse, developing patches of mold or fungus depending on how low temperatures drop in your area.

Depending on your yard, raking once a week should be sufficient in at least warding off fungus and disease from developing in your Tulsa lawn. If you do step up to twice a week, try to keep it to a light raking as it will be gentler on your Tulsa lawn. Raking is a natural form of dethatching but a little layer of thatch build up is actually healthy for your turf. Just be sure the second raking doesn’t over do it.

If you want to save time and utilize leaves for compost, a mulching mower is a smart investment. A mulching mower can be very beneficial to your Tulsa lawn as it will chop up and shred leaves to easily decompose in the soil. This granulizes leaves into a natural fertilizer to be absorbed into your Tulsa lawn.

Check back next week for more information about the absorbing of nutrients in your Tulsa lawn.

Termites are not the only insect that can cause serious damage to the structure of your home; woodworms will bore into the wood of your house, furniture and other areas where they are afforded a woody protection.

Pest control experts say woodworms often go undetected for years because the adults, also known as Furniture Beetles, will lay their eggs in the wood of your furniture. Once the larvae have emerged, they will bore into the wood and remain there for a few years. They will also leave the furniture and get into the structural wood of your home, where their boring can cause serious damage.

The best Tulsa pest control method to protect against woodworms is to not bring used furniture into your home. Pest control specialists say this is typically how most homes become infested with woodworms. However, the adult woodworm can fly and if a window or door is left open, they can easily fly into your home. If you notice that woodworms are present in your home, your local Tulsa pest control company can apply a special insecticide. They can also apply or suggest polishes that are designed to protect your furniture from woodworm invasions. If you have windows that you like to keep open, make sure they have screens so adult woodworms cannot fly into your home.

If you notice holes in your wooden furniture, that is a sure sign that woodworms are present. It is important to contact your Tulsa pest control company quickly before these insects can cause problems for your home’s structure.