Planning, patience and a fair amount of know-how are all part of the process if you want a lawn that’s going to perform in the aesthetics department. Our yards are so much more than a plot of grass; these parcels of land provide places for kids to play, adults to relax and neighbors to appreciate. That’s why lawn healthcare should be at the top of every homeowner’s to-do list this spring. The payoff for those who properly water, control billbug larvae and practice aphid prevention will be a lawn that looks good and is easier to maintain in future seasons. Diamond Lawns, a leading Idaho lawn care company, wants readers to be informed about their landscaping and lawn care options — and then put that information to use at home.

Bug off: Lush green lawns depend on healthy roots and billbugs are a top threat. When you see brown patches, this could be the tell-tale sign that billbug weevils have done their dirty work. Purdue University provides a wealth of information on billbug-related issues here, stating that damage done can be spotted by mid-June “when individual plants start to decline as a result of crown-feeding by the larvae.” As part of a proactive homeowner’s plans for lawn maintenance and spring clean-up, Diamond Lawns can respond to suspected billbug damage. Killing the larvae is an essential first step, but rehabilitating the damaged grass is where Diamond Lawn’s lawn care services become a must-have service.

Tree treatments: Trees can live for hundreds of years, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to insects that feed on moisture within the foliage. Aphids are the threat in this case and pest control in Boise can help put an end to the issue. “Ants protect aphids from their natural enemies to ensure a continued supply of honeydew,” which is a byproduct of aphid feeding, according to GardeningKnowHow.com. There are a number of insecticides that can be put to use in this case, but an on-site visit by Diamond Pest Pro, a division of Diamond Lawns, will reveal the scope of the problem. If other inspects are causing an issue — such as bees, wasps, mosquitos and/or cockroaches — Diamond Pest Pro can deploy insecticide applications.

Seasonal check-up: Lawns are not a set-it-and-forget-it asset. In additional to fall projects, a spring clean-up can tidy up the finer aspects of your yard. This can include pruning of trees and flowers, edging and shrub maintenance and fertilization so that inviting grass is achieved by the summer months. As evidenced above, the myriad ways to treat insect issues require on-site visits from experts to decide how to proceed. The same goes for intermittent projects completed by Diamond Lawns in the spring: Have crews take care of these outdoor projects and free up time in your schedule to concentrate on matters inside the home.