If “beauty is only skin-deep,” as the saying goes, then what’s hiding in your lawn could come as a surprise. Beneath the lush green grass, flower beds and trees you’ve worked so hard to maintain are diseases waiting to ruin your day. Weeds and insects can destroy your lawn if left undetected and untreated. It’s one reason why pest control in Meridian, Idaho is in such demand this summer. Chemical treatments, when part of a preventative lawn care package, can keep nature looking lovely on the surface as well as on a deeper level. What’s more, some companies in the Idaho region are offering solutions that will keep customers happy in this era of social distancing. Readers who are faced with pest and weed issues are encouraged to read on and see what options are currently available.

A chemical balance

When used properly and applied by professionals, chemical treatments for your lawn will pose no harm to the ecosystem around you. Those who take the do-it-yourself route present the following problems: an overapplication of chemicals could lead to run-off that will enter our waterways and contaminate other nearby land. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides can contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. These chemicals can all contaminate groundwater, harm wildlife or kill inspects that our ecosystem depends on. Thus, hiring a lawn care company to conduct pest control in Meridian, Idaho is best practice. “Test the soil for nutrient deficiencies before using lawn chemicals,” is one bit of advice from the EPA, but lawn care companies will be able to handle that task for you and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Bug off

Insects are particularly problematic to homeowners, as spotting a few earwigs or mosquitos likely means that hundreds more are hidden nearby. Bees, wasps, spiders and cockroaches are some other frequently encountered insects. They can also pose a serious health and home safety threat when combined with other bugs often spotted around the house. There are multiple ways to approach the presence of these bugs and an on-site visit from Diamond Pest Pro, for example, can help narrow down your options. Mosquitos are known to breed in standing water; homeowners can give them the boot by altering the landscape and creating run-off paths. Foggers, repellant and other sprays are also available to get mosquitos out of your yard and this task, much like the application of chemical herbicides, is best left to the experts.

Weeding out

Weeds can rapidly go from eyesore to infection that is threatening the health of your entire lawn. Crabgrass, for example, is a type of annual weed that will spread rapidly and crop up during the warm weather seasons. Some experts also add that crabgrass treatments are most effective before you see evidence on your lawn. Germination will begin when warm weather permits. At that point, seeds that spread are capable of taking hold across several feet in even the lowest-cut grass. Thus, the best form of lawn care that can tackle this form of weed is a pre-emergent program. These applications can defend your yard through the end of summer and another treatment in the following spring will have you covered for the next stretch of warm weather.

Creative Solutions

The need for social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus has presented complications at every turn. Companies offering lawn care and pest control in Meridian, Idaho are keenly aware of this and have started researching what options they can offer clients. There have been a number of innovative solutions, too, which could even carry over once we are able to return to life as normal. One example that has proved particularly effective is using satellite images to gauge the work that needs to be down. Prices for lawn maintenance that occurs on a regular basis, such as mowing, trimming edging and plant care, can be set once the scope of work is determined. E-commerce and digital payment platforms built into a website are also offering customers a way of paying for the services without ever having to swipe debit cards or enter PIN numbers into a mobile card reader. These are just two examples of forward-thinking offerings from lawn care and pest control companies in Meridian, Idaho.