One guest you didn’t invite (and don’t want) at your outdoor events: mosquitoes. Not only a nuisance for outdoor activities, they also pose health risks due to their ability to transmit diseases. Controlling them is possible, if you follow these steps.

Eliminate stagnant water. This is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes and gnats. Regularly remove containers or debris that may collect water, and ensure gutters are free of obstructions. It’s essential to note that mosquito larvae can mature in as little as 8–10 days, highlighting the urgency of removing all potential breeding sites. 

Maintain a well-groomed lawn to discourage mosquito habitats. Overgrown grass, bushes, and trees create favorable living conditions for mosquitoes. Regular lawn maintenance reduces these ideal breeding grounds. Minimize shady, damp areas, and mow tall grass according to the recommended height for your grass type.

Apply insecticide to the lawn and bushes on a monthly basis, adjusting frequency based any rainfall. This shouldn’t be an issue in arid climates like Southern California and Arizona, where summer rainfall is minimal. 

Adjusting lighting can also deter mosquitoes and other nighttime insects, as these pests are often drawn to lights. Consider utilizing insect-repelling lighting to address this concern. Incorporating plants with strong aromas, such as mint and rosemary, into the landscape can help repel mosquitoes. Other insect-repelling plants include lavender, marigold, citronella grass, catmint, basil, sage, lemon balm, lemon thyme, garlic, and catnip.

Use these tips to keep your outdoor parties mosquito free! For more information, visit westcoastturf.com

When you think of the deadliest animal in the world, what pops into your mind? Crocodiles, hippos, one of the big cats…great guesses, but all of them are wrong. It’s actually…the mosquito. This fingernail-sized pest can carry Zika virus, Yellow fever, West Nile virus, and worst of all, Malaria. Much of the reported incidents of that is in very hot, humid regions on other continents. But we do get mosquitoes in the hot, dry desert climates of Arizona and California. So how can you enjoy your beautiful natural sod lawn without getting bitten? Here are a few ways.

1. Citronella candles

These citrus/floral smelling candles are not only great for decoration, they can help keep mosquitoes away. These are most effective in an environment where the air is still – a covered patio is the perfect location. Always remember to extinguish them!

2. Get rid of any standing water

Mosquitoes love standing water. In fact, it’s where they reproduce. Make sure to empty out anything that catches water – wheelbarrows, outdoor water toys, as well as gutters and drain lines. 

3. Keep your yard under control

This is an important one! Especially in warmer areas, mosquitoes prefer cooler areas in the shade. Use a lawnmower or a string trimmer to cut back brush, tree limbs, and high grass. Making sure any tall grass is trimmed and not creating shadows will make your grass lawn much less appealing to mosquitoes. This is not only good for keeping unwanted pests away, but is also good for your natural sod lawn in general. 

West Coast Turf is the leader for California and Arizona products. Please contact us to learn more about what we can do for you and your property. 

Visit us online at: https://www.westcoastturf.com

I guess you can say that I have been slacking on the blogs lately so I will try and catch everyone up on where you lawn should be at this time of the year.

We’ve had some unusual weather which has resulted in a very slow transition of the ryegrass over to our warm season turf. People with non-overseeded turf probably noticed that it took much longer this year to get their lawn actively growing. Read the rest of this entry »