Lawn Care - Do I Apply Treatments Sooner?

**Let's Go State** · 03-17-2012, 02:16 PM

I do the same. Now, June, and October. Usually Ill put some crabgrass stuff down with it, but I'll wait a month to put that down now. My secret though is merit- it is incredible.

I admit to overdoing it. I actually just got done mowing my lawn an hour ago. With rain coming I'll probably put some npk down today to keep it going.

**isugcs** · 03-17-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Let's Go State

My secret though is merit- it is incredible.

What's merit? It is a brand name or something?...

Another question: In my area (Waverly) we have a terrible Asian Beetle infestation. I know they grow as grubs under the sod. I was thinking about putting down a grub killer in hopes of eradicating the population. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

**ISUFan22** · 03-17-2012, 02:37 PM

A bit unrelated, but there is no better treatment for your lawn than good compost. Finally dd it last spring and it rocked my lawn.

**azepp** · 03-17-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by isugcs

What's merit? It is a brand name or something?...

Another question: In my area (Waverly) we have a terrible Asian Beetle infestation. I know they grow as grubs under the sod. I was thinking about putting down a grub killer in hopes of eradicating the population. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

I think it's the Japanese Beetles that are grubs...

As opposed to the Asian Lady Beetle...

**The_Architect** · 03-18-2012, 11:04 AM

Yeah the Japenese Beatles destroyed my trees last year. I've got some chemical to feed to the trees in the "spring" and I need to put down grub killer too this spring. I wonder if it's too early still.

**azepp** · 03-18-2012, 01:11 PM

IIRC, insecticides are the way to go with the Japanese Beetles and not the traps, so it sounds like you're taking the right approach. The traps just end up attracting more of them.

**Let's Go State** · 03-18-2012, 01:35 PM

Merit is an insecticide that you spread on. It is a great grub killer, but beetles may fly in from anywhere.

Merit also reduces plant stress for some reason thus your lawn greens up faster in the spring and handles drought better. There are generic spray versions, but I like the granuals better.

Japanese beetles are evil. I've never had luck with systemics on them, but try whatever you can. sevin as a foliar spray does well and is very safe, but don't last long. The beetles have to ingest it so coverage is critical. It will knock flowers off trees so watch out on your timing (normally not a problem). I would rotate it ever 14 days with a pyrethoid (lambda-cyhalothrin, culturing, pyrethrum, etc.).

**Let's Go State** · 03-18-2012, 01:36 PM

Are your Asian beetles in your house or just around you plants? Or are they Japanese beetles in the pics above?

Asian beetles in you house are best solves with silicone around your windows.

**Let's Go State** · 03-18-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

Yeah the Japenese Beatles destroyed my trees last year. I've got some chemical to feed to the trees in the "spring" and I need to put down grub killer too this spring. I wonder if it's too early still.

Your not too early, just stay on the higher side of the rate.

**CYdTracked** · 03-18-2012, 01:46 PM

I hate to admit it but after years of doing fertilizer and weed control myself I might cave in and do either Trugreen or Scotts treatments this year. Mostly because I think it's the only way I'm going to get a good kill on my weeds plus we're likely putting the house on the market this spring/summer and want the lawn looking great. Probably going to rent a power rake soon and get all the thatch buildup off, try for an overseed then look into pricing in April. Never thought I'd do it but to the point I think I'm spending just as much money on fertilizer and chemical myself I might as well have a professional come in and do it for 1 year.

**ISUFan22** · 03-18-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by CYdTracked

I hate to admit it but after years of doing fertilizer and weed control myself I might cave in and do either Trugreen or Scotts treatments this year. Mostly because I think it's the only way I'm going to get a good kill on my weeds plus we're likely putting the house on the market this spring/summer and want the lawn looking great. Probably going to rent a power rake soon and get all the thatch buildup off, try for an overseed then look into pricing in April. Never thought I'd do it but to the point I think I'm spending just as much money on fertilizer and chemical myself I might as well have a professional come in and do it for 1 year.

Getting the thatch off, power rake and overseed are good ideas. Why have Truegreen come screw it up?

When you overseed, apply a top dress of compost and be done.

**isuno1fan** · 03-18-2012, 02:03 PM

Let's not talk Japanese Beetles until those bastards show up in late June. I like to enjoy my time away from them. They are ruthless.

**The_Architect** · 03-18-2012, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Let's Go State

Your not too early, just stay on the higher side of the rate.

Thanks! I'm a total lawn care noob. What do you mean stay on the higher side of the rate?

**Let's Go State** · 03-18-2012, 08:12 PM

If they give you a range (i.e.- 3-5 oz per 1000 sq ft.), then go with 5 for sure. If it is a single rate I would maybe push it a little. Be more careful with herbicides and fungicides than insecticides and fertilizers.

**fwiw** · 03-18-2012, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by CYdTracked

I hate to admit it but after years of doing fertilizer and weed control myself I might cave in and do either Trugreen or Scotts treatments this year.

A big thumbs down on Scotts -- they will oversell you and then do a terrible job to boot. Last year they put down pre-emergent for us in mid-March, after which temps went below freezing many times and it snowed twice. Complete waste of money.

Basically they will tell you anything that helps put your cash in their pockets. I regretted ever contacting them, so needless to say I told them not to come back.