Spring is for Spraying
Traditionally, the day after New Year’s meant our mailboxes were stuffed with colorful seed and plant catalogs, along with the much awaited catalogs and tax forms. While the IRS has ceased mailing their tax booklets, the catalogs still continue to arrive. Catalogs are a reminder that spring, with all the splendor of renewed garden life, is just around the corner.
When thinking of spring, a gardener’s mental calendar starts the season in April and May. Landscape pests, however, are thinking of starting much earlier – even now. As the soil and air temperature warms, weeds germinate and insects take flight. Thus, prevailing weather conditions and pest life cycles necessitate the landscape industry starting their season early too.
Crabgrass and Spurge Control: These turf grass weeds are best controlled before they germinate. Pesticides that work by preventing weeds from germinating are aptly termed pre-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent’s work by inhibiting root development of specific weeds and preventing growth. To be effective, these herbicides should be applied two to four weeks before the weeds would normally emerge. Late February or when soil temperatures exceed 50 degrees is not too early for an application guideline.
Turf Mites: Lawns with southern and western exposures are prone to spider mite damage. Mite feeding can kill grass prior to spring. Turf mites are cool season mites that feast on drought stressed lawns. Watering during the dormant months is helpful, although miticide applications may also be warranted. Clover mites get the most press as they become a nuisance in homes by congregating in sunny windowsills. However, the more damaging mites include; banks grass and brown wheat mites. These mites occur in the late winter through spring and have the ability to do much more damage this requires control beginning in winter through early summer.
Bark Beetles: IPS engraver beetle, aka Mountain Pine Beetle, flight is also dependent on temperatures. Once daytime temperatures consistently rise above 50 to 60 degrees, the beetles take flight from infested pine and spruce trees searching for new homes (trees). Spray applications are made to prevent new beetle infestations and, to be most effective, should be applied to pines and spruce prior to insect flight.
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