Yard spraying question.

[NCC-1701]

Is it worth it to have a company spray the yard (spiders,ants,dollar weeds etc) or is it a waste of money and how do you know if they are really spraying the right amount of chemicals. Anybody use them..

[Jeff '79]

I use Scott's Turf Builder +2.....It works great on weeds, but the grass grows like a mofo after the application.... It's ¼ the cost of having someone spray . It does not address spiders or other aphids though.

[pappytinker]

It all depends on YOUR goals. If you have chemicals applied, more than likely your grass will grow faster and denser. Then you will have to cut it more often. If you like cutting grass, go for it. There are also some chemicals that, in addition to killing ants and spiders also kill earthworms. The earthworms work to aerate the soil but also attract moles. Then you have to consider pets and children (grandchildren). If your children or your pets play on your lawn, you may not want to expose them to the chemicals, especially the insecticides.

As far as proper application, I would guess that if others are not getting the results they were hoping for you might get some complaints listed on the BBB web site or on Angie's List if that is available in your area. What about your neighbors? Do they have a lawn service? Are they happy with it?

I many (most) states, people who apply chemicals are required to have licenses to do so. I would look for a well known name IN YOUR AREA and ask about their licenses. I wouldn't jump to engage Manuel's Fly-by-Night Lawn Service. It might be the best in your area but I would avoid them unless you could get independent verification that they did quality work. I would be more likely to engage Scott's (as in the "Turf Builder" maker). A reputable lawncare company will take soil samples from numerous areas in your lawn and test to determine the condition of the soil before determining what it needs. Then it will give you an evaluation and prescribe a course of treatment.

There is a lot to consider.

Personally, after making all of the evaluations, I determined that the cost was not worth, to me, the anticipated results.

[Jeff '79]

Good post Pappy.....
My goal was a relatively inexpensive solution for a green, thick, weed free lawn. I hate dandelions.
I decided to do it myself using the Scotts product, which has never failed me. It took 3 big bags to do about an acre and ½....It cost around $110.00, and lasted all season.
Anyone know how much spraying costs, these days ?

[CertInsaneC5]

Good post Pappy.....
My goal was a relatively inexpensive solution for a green, thick, weed free lawn. I hate dandelions.
I decided to do it myself using the Scotts product, which has never failed me. It took 3 big bags to do about an acre and ½....It cost around $110.00, and lasted all season.
Anyone know how much spraying costs, these days ?

Around here, for 4 applications per year it would run me about $500 for the 3/4 acre I have. I do it myself twice a year, spring/fall for a 1/4 of that.

The places like Chemlawn, Truegreen ect. Are a complete ripoff. They use about 20$ in chemicals mixed with a shit ton of water to treat your lawn and charge you $100+ per application.

You can buy a soil sample testing kit for about $10 from any hardware store. Take the results to your nearest coop, if you have one, and they will recommend the best mix of fertilizer for your yard.

As far as insecticides go. Again, the hardware store is your best friend. Just read the label as to what a particular product will kill. Follow the instructions. Its not rocket science. :cert:

[Jeff '79]

Around here, for 4 applications per year it would run me about $500 for the 3/4 acre I have. I do it myself twice a year, spring/fall for a 1/4 of that.

The places like Chemlawn, Truegreen ect. Are a complete ripoff. They use about 20$ in chemicals mixed with a shit ton of water to treat your lawn and charge you $100+ per application.

You can buy a soil sample testing kit for about $10 from any hardware store. Take the results to your nearest coop, if you have one, and they will recommend the best mix of fertilizer for your yard.

As far as insecticides go. Again, the hardware store is your best friend. Just read the label as to what a particular product will kill. Follow the instructions. Its not rocket science. :cert:
:iagree: My sentiment exactly..... The people who get sprayed around here, generally seem to have weeds too.... I feel that a commercial service is a total ripoff , also.

My snowplowing service, however, was a ripoff this winter , that's for sure.....$500.00, and the dude hit me 4 times.... We had no snow this season.....:hurray: It was the second lightest snow season for the Buffalo area, in recorded history......Fine with me.....:seasix:

[CertInsaneC5]

:iagree: My sentiment exactly..... The people who get sprayed around here, generally seem to have weeds too.... I feel that a commercial service is a total ripoff , also.

My snowplowing service, however, was a ripoff this winter , that's for sure.....$500.00, and the dude hit me 4 times.... We had no snow this season.....:hurray: It was the second lightest snow season for the Buffalo area, in recorded history......Fine with me.....:seasix:

Never got the shovel out this year. Let alone the snow blower. I don't regret that one bit. :dance:

I do have to get out the chainsaw today though. Lost a 20ft pine tree last night, with the winds we had. Wind is still blowing like a banshee. Went from 60 degs to 30 degs in 12 hours here. Never did like that pine tree anyway.... :lol:

[lspencer534]

Let me offer a different perspective that I got from a local horticulturist years ago. The horticulturist is Felder Rushing, who has written many books on the subject, and he lectures all over the world.

First, my "formal" front yard is zoysia grass; this is a very large oval formed by the driveway. Although I have a sprinkler system, it has never been used. Although I get ample rainfall (avg. of 58"/year), there are dry spells. The grass may turn brown, but it doesn't die; it's simply goes into dormancy. After the next rain, it bounces right back.

I have never fertilized nor applied a weed killer. You need this only when when your yard is getting established. Once it's established, it grows thick enough to smother out weeds, and grass clippings supply all the nutrients it needs.

"Weed and Feed" herbicides contain some of the most toxic chemicals that can legally be bought. They are banned in Canada. They actually weaken turf by causing fast, weak unnatural growth that is susceptible to pests and disease. Plus, they kill natural organisms, fungi, and alga in the grass that are beneficial to grass. Although the weed killer in these compounds may get rid of the weeds, they don't prevent them from coming back. Better to apply a safe pre-emergenent.

Lastly, know how to mow properly, and keep the blade sharp. Most people mow much too low. Depending on your kind of grass, raise the blade to 2" to even 3.5" high. It's better for the grass, and it means you can mow less often. If you have different kinds of grass in other areas of your yard, blow off the deck before moving to another area to keep seeds from being broadcast.

That is all.