

                                INSECT CONTROL


          A smart man once said " Know your enemy ".

          KINDS OF INSECTS:


          CHINCH BUGS

                   They cause the most damage during dry seasons. They
          suck the sap out of the grass plants.

                   To tell if cinch bugs are in the lawn. Cut the top
          and bottom off a tin can, sink it into the soil, fill it
          with water and wait five to ten minutes. If they are present
          they will float to the surface  of the water.

                  They are only 1/8 of an inch long and black and
          white. The best insecticide to use for cinch bugs is Sevin,
          Diazinon or Oftanol.


          WHITE GRUBS

                   Will eat the roots of the grass. They do the most
          damage in late summer and early fall. The best time to spray
          them is in early August after the eggs hatch.

                   Larger white grubs seem to be unaffected by
          insecticides. The adult stage of the white grub is a flying
          insect called June bugs, May bugs or Japanese beetles. They
          appear in late fall or early summer and lay their eggs.

                   If there are flocks of birds on  your lawn in mid
          to late August they might be there eating white grubs.

                   Diazinon, Sevin or Oftanol in early august are
          effective on white grubs.


          MITES

                   Are hard to get rid of. Spraying with a spray that
          contains miticide is the only way to control them.

                   Other sprays only kill the bugs that eat them. They
          can be prevented by watering during dry periods.

                  They kill plants by sucking out their juices.


          BILLBUGS

                   Are hard to control in the grub stage. The best
          time to control them is when they are adults in late April
          and May.

                   At this time before they lay eggs a spray with
          Diazinon, Sevin Oftanol and even Dursban are the best.


          SOD WEBWORMS

                   Are caterpillars that who live and feed in silk
          lined tubes they make in the grass. Grass that does not
          green up in the spring could indicate the possibility of sod
          webworms.

                   To find out for sure pour a solution of 2 or 3% 
          dish washing detergent on the lawn and they will come to the
          surface of the lawn.

                   Diazinon, orthene, oftanol, sevin, and dursban are
          effective sprays to control them. These sprays control them
          better if you make the application late in the day two days
          after mowing.


          MOLE CRICKETS

                   Are found in the southeastern states. They are
          brown colored and are one and one half inches long. They can
          be controlled with Diazinon, sevin or Oftanol.


                   Just a word about using these chemicals. Keep them
         out of the reach of children.

                   Store them away from any food or grills in a place
         children and pets can not find them.
                   Read the instructions on the label to make sure
         they are for lawn use. Do not use lawn insecticide on trees
         and scrubs.                 END