McKone Home, Lawn and Pest

03/19/2021

It is getting to be that time of year again to start thinking about lawn care. For DIY folks here are a couple of links from our State Extension service that will prove helpful.
Turfgrass management calendar:
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/4383
Organic turfgrass fertilization
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/14460

If anyone else is looking for help with lawn maintenance or landscaping please give me a call. Don't wait too long, schedule is filling up fast.

03/06/2021

There was a lot of talk at the morning workout at Martial Arts of America regarding Voles. Seems quite a few people see the signs of them now the snow is melting.
For some DIY information click on the link below. Like mice they can be easily controlled/eliminated with a little effort and patience.

Every winter, after the snow melts and our brown, dormant grasses see the sun for the first time, we often find evidence of the busy lives of the meadow vole. While we were snuggled warmly indoors during the long winter, these mouse-sized creatures were actively feeding on seeds and vegetation and b...

11/06/2020

Getting calls about spiders in lawns. FYI - no control necessary. See link below from Iowa State Extension Service for more info. As I told the folks asking; no control necessary. I can spray but you will be spending money needlessly. They are shortlived and harmless. Actually more beneficial than otherwise.

Jim Hill, Hancock County Extension Director forwarded the photos below that show the remnants of a night of spiders gone wild.

11/05/2020

Mouse in your house?
Just received a call from a friend who has seen a couple of mice in a duplex. This is the time of year mice can move into your house.. For information or guide you can check out the link from our Iowa State Extension Service. One page, easy read guide.
If you need help please give me a call.

https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/mice-damage-management

09/28/2020

An article from Iowa State Extension Horticulturist on planting spring flowering bulbs.

In this week’s Yard and Garden, horticulture specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offer advice on planting spring-flowering bulbs.

09/28/2020

Now is a good time for fall fertilizer for your lawn and broadleaf w**d control. A neighbor was asking about dandelions and clover and their control. Now through early November is a good time to spray a herbicide for broadleaf w**ds.
Below is a link to an article on fall lawn care by Iowa State Extension horiticulturists Richard Jauron and Laura Sternweiss that explains what to do and why.
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-fall-lawn-care
Proper lawn care in fall helps ensure an attractive, healthy lawn next season. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists share tips on fall lawn care practices, including controlling broadleaf w**ds, mowing, fertilizing and aerating.

Proper lawn care in fall helps ensure an attractive, healthy lawn next season. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists share tips on fall lawn care practices, including controlling broadleaf w**ds, mowing, fertilizing and aerating.

09/01/2020

An interesting article on Euorpean Paper wasp published by ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Sprayed some today on client's property up on eave and under gutters.

Fall is when all wasps, including paper wasps, yellowjackets and baldfaced hornets, reach their peak numbers for the year. It is also the time when their behavior changes and people are more likely to notice colonies, or are more likely to be stung by wasps from a colony they hadn't yet found. Fall....

08/31/2020

For those with Lilac bushes here is an excellent article from Iowa State Extension Service on diseases occurring now and this post was on Aug 21st

Leaves showing evidence of powdery mildew

08/23/2020