When Express is maintaining a landscape, whether lawns or ground covers, there may come a time when some sort of pesticide is considers. Pesticides are chemicals that are used to control pests. They include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and others depending on the pest. Express can monitor and identify these pests before they ruin lawns and ground cover, which can be costly to replace. Early detection and proper treatment is critical to avoid repairs.

Signs Your Landscape Needs Pesticide Treatments

Early detection is key to effective management and minimizing the need for extensive intervention. Some key indicators that your landscape may need pesticide treatment include the following:

• Visible Pest Presence - The most obvious sign is the direct observation of pests on your plants or lawn. These could include insects like aphids, caterpillars, beetles, ants, or grubs. The type of pest will help determine the appropriate treatment.
• Leaf Damage - Look for chewed leaves, holes in foliage, skeletonized leaves (where only the veins remain), or unusual discoloration like yellowing or browning, which various feeding pests can cause.
• Stunted Growth - If your plants appear to grow slowly or are significantly smaller than they should be, it could be a sign of root-feeding pests or sap-sucking insects hindering their development.
• Sticky Residue (Honeydew) - Some sap-sucking insects, like aphids and scales, excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. Its presence can attract ants and lead to the growth of sooty mold.
• Unusual Growths or Deformities - Certain insects or mites inject chemicals into plant tissue to cause Galls (abnormal plant growths) or curled and distorted leaves.
• Damage to Stems or Bark - Look for signs of boring insects, such as small holes in stems or bark, sawdust-like frass (insect droppings), or girdling damage.
• Lawn Damage - In lawns, look for brown patches, thinning grass, or areas easily pulled up due to root damage from grubs or other soil-dwelling pests. Increased bird or animal activity (like digging) can also indicate the presence of grubs.
• Ant Trails - While ants may not directly harm plants, their presence can sometimes indicate the presence of other sap-sucking pests that produce honeydew.
• Wilting or Yellowing Despite Adequate Watering - This can signify root damage caused by soil-borne pests.
• Sudden Plant Decline - A rapid and unexplained decline in a plant's health can sometimes be attributed to severe pest infestation.

If you observe any of these signs, it's essential to have your landscape professionally inspected. We can identify the pest issue accurately and recommend the most effective and targeted pesticide treatment to protect your landscape investment.

For additional information about our pesticide treatments, call the Express Outdoor Services, LLC team at 218-839-1940. You can also email us through this Online Form, and we will call back to schedule an on-site visit.