Grub problems have traditionally been found first along walks,
driveways or patios. The current list of products includes
imidacloprid and trichlorfon as the active chemical ingredients.
Sevin may also be used, but it is specific for Japanese beetle
grubs. Sevin also will have an effect on earthworms, which is
good and bad. It is good if you have mole problems and bad if
you don’t. If label directions are followed, these should
provide adequate control of grubs. The insecticide must get to
where the grubs are, so make sure to water the liquid
formulations in as soon as they are applied.
Seeding of grass is normally accomplished by Sept. 10. This
is a tried-and-true date, but the end of the world won't come
about if you are a week later. The goal is to give the seed
enough time to germinate and become established before bad
weather arrives. The dry weather again this year means seed sown
in mid-August would still be lying there (if birds haven’t found
it). Seed at the rate of 4 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet
on bare spots, or half that rate on overseedings.
If you have a compacted yard or a deep thatch layer, now is
also an ideal time to dethatch or aerate. Thatch layers should
not be over 1/2-inch deep for optimum growing conditions. When
aerating, make sure you use a core-type aerator.
Fall fertilization is also a good practice. If you haven't
fertilized in the last month, consider applying a fertilizer
treatment now. Use about 8 pounds of 13-13-13 fertilizer per
1,000 square feet of lawn. Try to avoid the high-nitrogen
fertilizers this late in the year. It's hard enough to keep up
with the mowing as it is, and nitrogen promotes top growth. The
even-analysis fertilizers will also promote root growth, which
is what we want, going into the late fall and winter.
Crabgrass and other annual grass weeds can be seen about
everywhere, but they have been affected by the hot, dry weather
that has sent many lawns into dormancy. The annual weeds
surviving the weather thus far will die with the first frost, so
treatment is not available or recommended in the fall. Make a
note of where these grasses are, and an overseeding to thicken
up the grasses you want there may help crowd out the annuals.
[to top of second column] |
What most people call sweat bees are actually syrphid flies. Many
people are commenting about the yellow and black "sweat bees" flying
around everywhere the last week. If you have several in an area, you
can hear the drone as the wings vibrate. Syrphid fly is a generic
name given to an entire group of flies. There are some differences
in appearance and color, but the yellow and black color is the major
one in our area. The other names for syrphid flies are hover flies
or flower flies. They tend to hover around your arms and face when
you have been perspiring, and they land to lap up the sweat. They
are also commonly found on flowers, hence the flower fly name, and
they do a good job of pollinating.
Syrphid flies are actually beneficial insects. They help
pollinate; larvae feed on dead organic matter; and the larvae are
predators of aphids. Syrphid flies cannot sting, but their
mouthparts can usually be felt when lapping up sweat from sensitive
areas. You may feel a slight pinch.
[By
JOHN FULTON,
University of Illinois Extension]
|