Category Archives: Pest Control

Among some of the most devastating creatures to your landscape are crickets, relatives of the grasshopper.  These insects can severely damage grass, trees, flowers, gardens, and crops. VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Salt Lake can help you control these pests so your lawn and gardens can remain attractive and healthy.

Crickets come in different varieties with the most common in central Utah being the Mormon Cricket. While they are not a true cricket, rather a katydid, they are often thought of as such and categorized with other crickets.

The different types of crickets vary greatly in behavior and appearance as well as the amount of damage they cause. Some such as the Mole Cricket, tunnels underground, destroying turf grass roots while most others live above ground feeding on plant life. Unfortunately, the most common – the Mormon Cricket – is also the most destructive to plant life.

Occasionally, swarms of these insects will form, devastating crops and other plant life. They usually cause the most damage in later summer as they need more food and begin their swarming phase. During heavy outbreak years, they will even feed on each other.

Since Mormon Crickets can’t fly, despite having wings, barriers made of smooth material (to prohibit climbing) that are at least 24 inches high can help keep crickets out of areas.  Loud music will also push crickets away. Fortunately, crows and gulls as well as other animals such as rodents and coyotes will feed on Mormon Crickets. There are also insecticides that can help control cricket populations. Some insecticides can not only kill the insect that initially consumes the poison but also kill any crickets that feed on it. Be sure to always follow insecticide instructions or hire a professional to insure it is applied correctly and effectively. Also, tilling open areas and raking lawns in the fall to kill the eggs that may have been laid over the summer can help control the population near your property.

While they are difficult to control, VIRIDIS Lawn Care’s professionals are eager to help so you can reap the rewards of your efforts on your landscaping.

In 1848, this type of katydid nearly wiped out the crops planted by Mormon farmers trying to settle in Utah. They’ve been called Mormon Crickets ever since. They prefer grasses and sage brush, but will eat a variety of other plants, including wheat and corn. They can be seen at the openings of forests as well in crop fields. While this species eats plant matter, sometimes it resorts to cannibalism when plant food is scarce.
Adults chirp at regular intervals. Females have a curved ovipositor that looks like a tail, or stinger. It is neither. The ovipositor is a tube that pushes into the dirt, allowing females to deposit eggs just under the soil’s surface. The eggs overwinter and small nymphs emerge in the spring, just when plants are starting to grow.

Call Us Today to get rid of those pesky crickets.

Among the many threats to your home, some of the worst can be insects. The variety of bugs that become a nuisance is amazing. VIRIDIS Lawn Care of Salt Lake City Utah can help with pest control so you can keep your lawn lush and beautiful throughout the summer months and your home protected from an invasion of unwanted insects.

Being informed is critical to identifying, controlling, and preventing insect infestations.  Following is information on a familiar lawn pest – boxelder bugs.

These red lined black bugs are about ½ inch in length and stink when squished, leaving a purplish stain.  Generally, their smell is the greatest threat they pose, feeding on a variety of trees but rarely causing damage to any landscaping.

The worst time of year for boxelder bugs to become a nuisance is late summer and early fall. They begin seeking shelter for the upcoming winter which will often drive them indoors. Once inside, they can cause a variety of small problems. They stain fabrics although they won’t eat holes. They can also bite but are not poisonous.

They are difficult to kill with typical insect sprays although these can be helpful in deterring them from entering the home. Vacuuming any found indoors proves to be more effective than insecticides.  Closing up any cracks or holes in windows, around doors or walls or in the foundation can help keep them outside.  Insecticides or homemade repellants such as dish soap mixed in water can help outdoors to keep boxelder bug numbers down.

As always, when in doubt, contact a professional at VIRIDIS Lawn Care to assess and assist in your specific situation.  Our perimeter pest control can help you insure these pesky creatures never bother you or your family by overwintering in your home. Call us for all your pest control needs.

Lawns and gardens can take a beating. Foot traffic, insects, climate, and even some other critters can wreak havoc on once beautiful landscaping.  Many mammals can cause significant damage to plants as well as bring fleas and diseases to an area. A few of these mammals in the Salt Lake City area include deer, rabbits, gophers, skunks, mice, and raccoons.

Deer can cause some of the most significant damage to your landscaping because they not only feed on a variety of plants but also rub their antlers against tree trunks and trample vegetation.

Rabbits are exceptionally damaging to vegetables and grasses as well as shrubs and berry bushes. They also gnaw on smooth barked branches and plastic irrigation lines. They feed mostly at night, making it difficult to catch them but leaving a trail of destruction to find the next morning.

Ground squirrels or gophers inflict much the same damage as rabbits but also create mounds when burrowing underground. These mounds can not only make a beautiful lawn look terrible but can cause root damage and problems when mowing.

Skunks can cause a lot more problems than just their terrible scent! They will roll back sod or dig small indentations looking for grubs. They also will eat berries or even pet food. They will often make their home under porches or decks. These animals carry some pretty nasty diseases as well, including rabies.

Mice in all their varieties can be a nuisance. Because of their small size, they can get into and out practically anywhere. They eat and store a variety of food. They also cause destruction to other materials such as paper, clothing, and upholstery that they find desirable for building a nest. Gardening can become difficult with a strong mouse population because they feed on both seeds and grown plants including grass and even trees.

Raccoons often destroy buildings to acquire shingles, insulation, or boards for building their home. Like skunks, they will also nest beneath porches or decks. They typically eat foods from the garden just before harvest time but will also roll up sod to find insects. They can carry many diseases which can be spread to humans.

There are different ways to help prevent these animals from causing problems in your home. Insure garbage is placed in a container that closes securely. Place bird feeders where only birds can get to. Water sources can attract pests, especially during drought conditions. Be mindful of fountains, ponds, and even pet water. Certain fences can keep out many of these animals but not all. Repellents are also an option but can cause problems with pets and often have an undesirable odor. Insure you choose the appropriate repellent and follow any instructions.

VIRIDIS Lawn Care in Salt Lake City, UT wants to insure that you have the very best landscaping you can have. Learning common pests and ways to control them can help you prevent much of the damage these animals can cause, leaving you with the beautiful lawn and garden you deserve.