At A B Pest Control & Insulation, we offer multiple services for your convenience. From pest control to lawn maintenance and turf management to insulation services, we can handle all of these tasks for you! This week, we'll be continuing our series by discussing two different sectors of our business with A-Z with A B Pest Control & Insulation: Grass Seed & Gnats.
Timing your grass seeding to take advantage of your grass type's natural periods of peak growth helps seed germinate and establish quickly. Your seed gets off to the best possible start and on track for both short- and long-term success. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, including Kentucky 31 tall fescue, grow most vigorously during the cool temperatures of late summer and early fall.
Time and Temperatures Matter
Several distinct advantages make fall the best time to plant cool-season grass seed. In early autumn, the soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate day temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown cool-season grass seed. Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 65°F. This roughly corresponds to daytime air temperatures in the 60°F to 75°F range.
It takes roughly 7 to 14 days for the seeds to germinate, and another 7 to 8 weeks for the grass to get established. By that time, air temperatures have started to get autumnal, cool but not too frosty, just the kind of conditions cool-season grasses love.
Time and Temperatures Matter
Several distinct advantages make fall the best time to plant cool-season grass seed. In early autumn, the soil is still warm from months of summer sun. This combination of warm soil, moderate day temperatures and cool evenings encourages fast germination and establishment of newly sown cool-season grass seed. Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 65°F. This roughly corresponds to daytime air temperatures in the 60°F to 75°F range.
It takes roughly 7 to 14 days for the seeds to germinate, and another 7 to 8 weeks for the grass to get established. By that time, air temperatures have started to get autumnal, cool but not too frosty, just the kind of conditions cool-season grasses love.
Dealing with Gnats
Gnats are tiny flies that are sometimes called blackflies or midges. It is in the diptera order, which includes flies and mosquitoes. They are often seen assembled in large mating swarms. They have long, hair-like antennae, which are more prominent in males.
Gnats are found anywhere rivers or lakes exist because they lay their eggs in watery places. They gather in swarms around bodies of water, but can be found indoors as well. They often congregate around dock and porch lights as well, which is why we often see spiders in these areas as midges are their main source of food.
They feed off of warm-blooded animals to survive, but unlike mosquitoes, gnats usually don’t bite through clothing. They can crawl into hair or under clothing though to get to places such as the ankles and waist lines of pants.
How to Prevent Gnats
Gnats are pesky little insects, especially when they have entered your home. There are several ways to prevent them from coming inside:
- Get rid of their food supply. Make sure you clean the kitchen and/or dining room regularly. Do not leave left over food sitting out. Make sure you store your food in an air tight container.
- Cover trash cans. Avoid keeping bags of trash overnight. Clean the indoor trashcan often. Wipe down the lids and sides with bleach – it will kill the gnats instantly.
- Do not overwater house plants. If there is too much water in the house plants, gnats could lay their eggs in the soil. Make sure you keep an eye on the soil and make sure it is damp as opposed to wet.
- Check for damp places. Check underneath the sink and other places that water could collect. Gnats love moist places.
If you have taken all preventative measures, but still have gnats hanging around, call your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company.
If you have unwanted pests around your house or would like help getting your lawn ready for next spring, give your Lake of the Ozarks pest control company a call! From pest control to lawn maintenance and insulation services - A to Z, we cover it all!
LAKE OF THE OZARKS
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