Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508030009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
To maintain attractive, healthy lawns, homeowners might hire a lawn-care service. Before selecting a lawn-care company, you need to determine the level of lawn quality you are willing to pay for - an average-quality lawn or an above-average-quality lawn.
You can have an average lawn with minimal time, effort, and money. An above-average lawn, however, requires more care and money.
Look for a lawn-care company that uses an integrated pest management program, or IPM. Companies using an IPM monitor your lawn for pests and diseases, applying pesticides only when needed. They may also use fertilizers to maintain a healthy, vigorous lawn.
Ask if the company follows the Virginia Tech recommendations for fertilizer application and pest management, and select a company that does! When properly applied by a reputable, trained professional, lawn-care chemicals can improve the health and appearance of your lawn with minimal health and environmental risks.
Inexperienced homeowners are more likely to make mistakes than trained professionals, and so must take extra care in mixing, applying, storing, and disposing of lawn-care chemicals and in calibrating application equipment.
These guidelines can help you make an informed choice when selecting a lawn-care company:
Know what lawn or landscape services you want the company to provide. Ask several companies what services they offer, and ask friends and neighbors for recommendations.
Select a company willing to listen to your concerns about your lawn or landscape and able to provide effective and acceptable solutions. Ask how much training and experience the company's consulting employees have with lawns in your area.
Obtain a written service agreement. Ask if the service is automatically renewed each year (if so, request an annual written confirmation), and find out if there are any penalties if you decide to cancel your service agreement.
Ask a company representative to visit your property to determine problems, level of maintenance, and price. Do not simply accept service over the telephone without additional contact with the company.
Ask if the company is licensed and insured. Do not be afraid to ask for proof.
Ask if the company is a member of a trade association. This indicates the company's dedication and shows it's informed of the latest technical information.
Ask the company to tell you what lawn-care chemicals it plans to apply and why.
Be sure the company always provides advance notice of chemical applications in case anything needs to be moved before the treatment. The company should also tell you how long to stay off the lawn after the treatment.
Ask if the company puts up notification signs for the chemical applications.
Ask the company for detailed instructions on the maintenance you will need to perform.
Ask if the people applying the pesticides to your lawn are certified pesticide applicators or work under the supervision of one. Even though a certified pesticide applicator license is not required by law for general-use pesticides, be sure the person applying the pesticides has been trained in the proper use of pesticides.
Remind the company how important it is to properly dispose of fertilizer and pesticide containers.
Check on the company throughout the entire time service is provided. Let them know of any compliments as well as complaints.
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see what types of complaints, if any, have been filed against the company. Ask the company for references from local customers.
Used properly when needed, pesticides can help protect you and the environment - especially surface and ground waters. The correct balance of pesticides and cultural practices (such as proper mowing, watering, fertilization, and aeration) promote healthy, attractive lawns.
Make an informed choice if you decide to use a lawn-care service. If you decide to apply lawn-care chemicals yourself, be sure to read the labels and follow the directions to the letter.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in the Montgomery County Extension Office in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call him at 382-5790.
by CNB