The Science of Common Lawn Problems

Find out what common lawn problems can be solved with science

Common lawn problems can range from live pests to weeds to moisture loving lawn and garden diseases to watering issues. There are an abundance of common lawn problems that can begin to take over your lawn in just a few short weeks. The best way to keep from being overtaken by a pest infestation or a lawn disease is simply to be aware of what these common lawn problems are and to use pest control, weed control or disease control to prevent them before they start.

As far as lawn pests go, there are good bugs and there are bad bugs. Keep in mind when you see ladybugs and praying mantis that these bugs can actually help you keep other lawn pests out of your landscaping design. Ladybugs are particularly inclined to eat aphids and mites, an almost microscopic lawn pest that can literally destroy your lawn. Praying mantis will usually come around in the nighttime hours and will also take care of yard pests, like aphids, mites and mealy bugs. Even if you need to find a way of attracting praying mantis or ladybugs to your landscape plans to help get rid of other bad lawn pests, do it, because they could possibly help save your lawn naturally!

Some of the worst lawn pests include cinch bugs, grub worms, mealy bugs, and aphids. Grub worms are the larvae of a variety of beetle species, most common to the Japanese beetle, which is another nuisance throughout the summer months. Of course there will probably always be a small amount of grub worms in your lawn, but proper lawn and garden care will keep them from taking over. If you begin to notice soft spots or patches of grass that can be pulled up, it is likely that grub worms have taken over your yard. Another terrible bug is the cinch bug, a small bug that can usually only be identified by the trouble it starts causing on your lawn. Most often, cinch bugs will actually eat at the grass roots, which will leave yellowish dead patches to prove they have been there feeding.

Another common problem that most gardeners don’t suspect at first is a lawn disease. Often the symptoms of a lawn disease can be similar to that of a lawn pest, so most gardeners are likely to associate this with the pest first before blaming a lawn disease. If you have treated your lawn for pests and are still experiencing brown or yellow spots, soft spots in the grass or even white, mildew looking areas then you may need a lawn disease solution. There are three types of lawn diseases: viral, bacterial and fungal. The most common types of lawn diseases are fungal, because it is extremely easy for excess moisture or humidity to take a toll on the lawn and begin allowing fungus to grow and destroy grass or nearby plants. One of the worst types of fungus is called damping off fungus, which is just as its name sounds. This fungal plant disease prefers poorly drained soils in cooler climate locations, and may begin to be a problem if you come into a week or two of cooler weather. The worst problem with this lawn and garden disease is that it can invade the soil and get into the seedlings, preventing them from growing. One of the first detection signs for damping off will be grass that does not rebound when stepped on or nearby plants that seem to be wilting, but still alive.

A lawn watering tip that is also the best prevention method for fungal diseases is sufficient drainage in the yard and adequate soil temperatures. Remember that another important step to preventing these common lawn problems is not to overwater plants or to water plants at nighttime, when there is more likelihood for moisture, allowing the plants to be susceptible to fungal diseases. Another simple piece of lawn mowing advice that will keep lawn diseases from occurring in your lawn and garden designs is to simply keep up with consistent lawn mowing as well as regular lawn aeration and dethatching.

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Have you ever thought about doing science fair projects that study the various kinds of prevention techniques to solving common lawn problems?

What Science Stategies to Use to Solve Common Lawn Problems

Find out what common lawn problems can be solved with science