FAQ

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Treating | Seeding | Aerating | Grubs | Moles | Voles | Best Practices for Lawn Care

Treatments For My Lawn

What types of materials does Pinnacle Lawn Service use?
All of our weed control products are in liquid form. Our fertilizer products are in a dry, granular form.

How long do my pets / kids have to stay off the lawn after a treatment?
When a liquid application (weed control) has been applied, you must stay off the lawn until the product has dried. Depending on the weather, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. To be safe, we always recommend 24 hours or at least for the rest of the day. Always allow enough time to pass for the application to dry before letting your pets out to do their business and bring them right back in.

When can I mow the lawn once a treatment has been applied?
We recommend waiting until the following day to mow the lawn. You can also mow the day before, just try to avoid mowing the same day after a treatment has been applied.

Seeding My Lawn

When is the best time of year to put grass seed down?
Fall is the best time to seed your lawn. There is generally enough rain and temperatures are typically conducive for optimal germination. You can seed in the spring, however, make sure you thoroughly rake any bare spots first. Any time you seed, always mix the seed in well with the loosened soil for best results.

What type of grass seed should I use?
For sunny areas, using a mixture of Perennial Bluegrass and Ryegrass is optimal. These grass types do well in the sun. For shadier areas, use a Ryegrass and Fescue (avoid Tall Fescue) mix as this is a better combination for the shade. Check the tag on the bag of seed you are going to buy to confirm what type of seed mixture is in the bag. Do not purchase seed mixtures that indicate any “Annual” seeds.

Aerating My Lawn

What is lawn aerating?
Core aeration is when plugs or “cores” of your soil (about the size of your thumb) are mechanically removed. This helps reduce soil compaction, removes thatch and opens up pathways for oxygen, water and nutrients to reach your lawn’s root system easier.

When should I aerate my lawn?
You can aerate in the spring or fall but the weather plays a big role in both time frames. Aerating in the spring isn’t as ideal as this opens a path for weeds to germinate. As such, we recommend that lawns get aerated in the fall.

Should I overseed after aeration?
Every lawn is different. That being said, it is a perfect time to overseed after an aeration has been done. The grass seed will fall down into the holes that have just been created allowing for better germination.

Grubs In My Lawn

When is your grub control applied?
We apply our Preventative Grub Control with your Summer Treatment. This is in the June/July time frame. This is the BEST time to apply our preventative material. Applying this will GUARANTEE that you won’t have grub damage in your lawn in the Fall.

I found a grub in my lawn / flower bed, do I need a grub treatment?
Finding a grub here or there doesn’t mean you have a problem. If you find 10-12 grubs in a square foot, then it is advised a Curative Grub treatment is performed.

Moles In My Lawn

Is there any treatment for moles?
Unfortunately, no. There are no viable chemical treatments to keep moles out of your lawn. Trapping, setting baits or hiring a pest control professional who specializes in moles are your best options.

If I have moles, does that mean I have grubs?
Not necessarily. The main staple of a moles diet are worms. They will eat grubs, but they are tunneling through your lawn primarily looking for worms.

Voles In My Lawn

What are these winding tracks in my lawn?
This is vole damage. This picture best describes what vole damage looks like. You will notice winding tracks or “runways”. During the winter, voles chew on the plant as a food source. As bad as it can look, vole damage is relatively short lived. You will mainly see this in the early spring after the snow melts. Lightly rake up any damaged turf and this will usually recover on its own. Adding grass seed is also an added bonus to help with recovery.

Is there any treatment for voles?
Unfortunately, no. Just like moles, there are no viable chemical treatments to prevent vole damage. Trapping or setting baits is the best option to get rid of them.

If I have voles, does that mean I have grubs?
No. Grubs are sub-surface insects and voles do all of their feeding above the surface.

Best Practices for Lawn Care

How tall should I mow my lawn?
During the growing season, keep the mowing height at a MINIMUM of 3 inches. The taller (3 1/2 to 4 inches) the better. A higher mowing height promotes a deeper and more vigorous root system which will allow for a much better and healthier looking lawn. Taller grass plants will also shade the soil which will reduce the germination of weed seeds, particularly crabgrass.

What should the mowing height be before winter?
Only lower your mowing height for the last couple of mowing’s of the season. 2-2 1/2 inches is a good height to mow before winter. If grass is too tall going into the winter, this will promote problems with snow mold in the spring.

How tall should I trim the edges of my driveway / sidewalk?
It is VERY important to trim / weed whack the edges as tall as possible. Even if a crabgrass control has been applied, mowing the edges (and lawn) too short opens up the door for crabgrass seeds to germinate.

Should I bag my grass clippings?
This is not recommended. Return clippings to the lawn as much as possible as they will release their nutrients back into the soil.