Our favorite season is almost here. But, as we are heading into the summer months, it’s time to be on alert for one of Palm Beach County’s most annoying pests: fleas. Fleas are an incredibly invasive parasite, latching on to our pets, invading our homes, and even biting humans. If you think you have a flea infestation, East Coast Sprayers is here to help!

 

When Are Fleas Most Active?

 

Fleas can be found in Palm Beach County year round, but are most active during the spring and summer months. It’s during these times that we, and our pets, like to spend most of our time outdoors and are most susceptible to attack. Fleas are especially abundant during rainy and humid days, making the summer months their favorite time to infest your lawn. Fleas cannot survive in cold weather and need at least 70-90 degrees to live and reproduce.

 

What Do Fleas Look Like?

 

Fleas are tiny, no more than 1/16“ long as an adult, and can be difficult to see to the naked eye. They have narrow, flat sizes which make it easy for them to navigate through their host’s hair. They are dark in color and while they have no wings, they have long legs made specifically for jumping (they can jump 7-8 inches, in fact).

 

Are Fleas Dangerous?

 

Flea infestations can cause severe harm to its host. Besides the itchy and irritating bites, fleas can spread diseases, tapeworms and cause skin infections from their bites. Your pets could also have an allergy to fleas saliva, which could cause them to lick, scratch and chew themselves.

 

How Do You Get Rid of Fleas?

 

A flea infestation in your lawn can be difficult to get rid of. While there are many products you can purchase to DIY, it’s best to call an expert. Eradicating fleas depends upon their life stage and level of infestation. The pros at East Coast Sprayers can evaluate your lawn and provide an insect control treatment that’s right for you. Call us today to get rid of those fleas for good!

 

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Spring in Palm Beach County is a beautiful time of year, and the ideal time to consider lawn fertilization. Caring for your lawn and keeping it looking its best year round can be a challenge. South Florida weather can bring drought conditions and heavy rains, so knowing the right time to fertilize is vital to keeping your grass healthy and growing. That’s where East Coast Sprayers can help!

 

Why Fertilize My Lawn?

 

Every living thing needs essentials to survive, and your lawn is no different. You’re supplying it with water and the South Florida sun gives it plenty of light, but your grass needs food! Think of fertilizer as the best plant food for your lawn. Proper fertilization of your turf can provide deeper root growth, reduce weeds, and can protect your lawn from pests and environmental stress.

 

When is the Best Time to Fertilize in Palm Beach County?

 

Spring is when everything is blooming and plant life is most active. This is when your grass is actively growing and the optimal time to apply fertilizer. Fertilizing too early may not benefit your grass, as it isn’t able to absorb all the nutrients when it is dormant. Some areas of Palm Beach County have restrictions on fertilizing in the summer which means spring is your best chance at a healthy lawn. Don’t get caught with dead turf for those summer BBQ’s!

 

What Kind of Fertilizer Should I Use?

 

Using the right type (granular or liquid), mix and quantity of fertilizer (in additional to when you apply it) is extremely important to sustaining a beautiful lawn. Palm Beach County soil is typically high in phosphorus (one of the key ingredients in fertilizers); applying a fertilizer with too much or too little can cause damage to your lawn. The professionals at East Coast Sprayers will create a fertilizer program to keep your landscape green and healthy all year long, beyond the spring!

 

Trust the Pros to Fertilize Your Lawn

 

At the end of the day, it is always best to entrust a professional when it comes to your lawn and landscape. We are trained to know what your grass needs and when it needs it most. Contact East Coast Sprayers today to discuss your springtime lawn fertilization options and let us build a plan to suit your needs!

As a resident of Palm Beach County, you have more than likely had an experience with dollarweed in your lawn. With the heavy rains leading us into summer, you are bound to find this water-loving weed popping up in your yard, ruining the beautiful curb appeal you’ve worked so hard to have. So what is dollarweed and how can you control it? East Coast Sprayers has some easy tips to keep your lawn weed free!

 

What is Dollarweed?

 

Dollarweed is a type of warm-season perennial weed that appears in areas with excessive moisture (hence why it loves to grow in Palm Beach County!). It is a fast spreading weed that can quickly overpower your landscape, causing extreme destruction if left unmanaged. Dollarweed is silver dollar shaped, which gives it its name. The leaves are a round, lily pad shape and are bright green in color.

 

How Can I Control Dollarweed?

 

If you have dollarweed in your yard, don’t think about eradication. Your best bet is controlling the weed infestation and removing the issues that cause it to grow. Here are our tips on taking back control of your yard:

 

  1. First, reduce your irrigation or watering frequency. Dollarweed thrives in overly wet areas, and since it can float, it can’t drown! The rule of thumb should always be 1 inch of water a week for optimal growth in your plants and lawn.
  2. Keep your grass a little longer. Dollarweed is especially fond of thin, week grass. Cutting your grass too short can expose your lawn to thinning, making it susceptible to infestation.
  3. Properly mulch your landscape beds. Keeping the mulch around your shrubs, flowers, and trees at a 3 in thickness to keep the dollarweed from growing.
  4. Finally, if all other steps do not prevail, East Coast Sprayers recommends applying a herbicide weed control method. Herbicides should be chosen specifically for your type of grass and season.

East Coast Sprayers Can Help Control Dollarweed

 

If you are struggling to control the dollarweed in your Palm Beach County yard, it may be time for some professional help. We can advise you on at-home control methods and develop a weed control program targeted for your lawn. Contact us today and let us help you get rid of this pesky weed for good!

Ornamental trees and shrubs give your home a vibrant and lush curb appeal. While these plants are a beautiful addition to your landscape, they require fertilization, pest control, and ongoing maintenance to maintain their health. If you are a homeowner in Palm Beach County, East Coast Sprayers can help you keep your trees and shrubs looking beautiful year round with some helpful tips.

 

Why do ornamental trees and shrubs need care?

 

Most of the ornamental trees and shrubs you see in your neighborhood are non-native plants, making their care very specific. Their natural environment (including soil, air quality, watering, temperature, etc.) can differ from our South Florida conditions. Providing these plants with proper fertilization and pest control will help them thrive on your property.

 

What care do trees and shrubs require?

 

Most of the ornamental trees and shrubs found in Palm Beach County require monthly care. Fertilization of your soil is crucial to maintaining a proper pH – giving your plants the best ability absorb nutrients and fight off disease. Applying both liquid and granular fertilizer can be the most effective way to feed your trees and shrubs.

We love living in Palm Beach County for its year long temperate weather, but that means pests are always around to wreak havoc on your landscaping. Monthly pest and insect control is necessary to keeping your trees and shrubs looking their best.

Our hot, humid South Florida climate creates the ideal environment for fungus to grow. A regular fungicide prevention program will help to keep away any harmful fungal diseases, keeping your trees and shrubs green and thriving!  

 

Tree and Shrub Maintenance Programs

 

Living in Palm Beach County, you want your home to look it’s best. Maintaining your landscape should always include tailored treatments for your trees and shrubs – that’s where East Coast Sprayers can help! Our experts will provide you with a tailored program to fit your property’s specific plant needs. Contact us today for a FREE evaluation of your home’s tree and shrubs and let us show you how beautiful your landscape can really be!

Spring is on it’s way in South Florida and as a homeowner, you’re probably concerned about the damaging effects mole crickets can have on your lawn. As the mole cricket burrows and feeds on the roots of your lawn, you will notice your grass becoming patchy, brown and eventually dying. At East Coast Sprayers, we have some helpful tips on identifying the mole cricket and ways to protect your turf from this sub-surface pest.

 

Identifying Mole Crickets

 

A mole cricket is one of the strangest insects you’ll ever uncover. This burrowing bug looks exactly like it’s name; a cross between a cricket body and a mole with its clawed front legs designed for tunneling. They can grow to 1-2 inches long as a full sized adult. Nymph mole crickets are smaller and can vary in size depending upon their life stage. They are gray-brown and will only have wings once their reach adulthood.

 

You may have a mole cricket infestation if your lawn has the following:

 

  1. small mounds of soil
  2. patches of brown or dead turf

If you want to check for mole crickets in your lawn, the best time is at night since they are nocturnal pests. Fill a bucket with soapy water and pour over 2 square feet where you suspect the mole cricket infestation lives. If you have 2-4 crickets pop up from the soil within a few minutes, it’s time get insect control help.

 

Mole Cricket Treatment

 

Powerful control of a mole cricket infestation is all about timing; specifically on the current season and life stage of the pest. Getting professional help for treatment is key.

 

East Coast Sprayers knows the ins and outs of a mole cricket infestation in Palm Beach County. We can inspect, identify, and tailor a treatment plan specifically to your turf’s needs. If you want to get rid of those pesky mole crickets FAST, contact East Coast Sprayers today!

As a Palm Beach County resident, your lawn is a vital part of your home’s curb appeal. Lush, green grass is every homeowner’s dream, but without professional insect control and lawn fertilization, this could be destroyed by a tiny little pest called a tropical sod webworm. East Coast Sprayers can help you identify this pest and control the infestation in your lawn.

 

What Are Tropical Sod Webworms?

 

Tropical sod webworms are found in Palm Beach year round and are most active from spring to fall. The tropical sod webworm is actually a larvae which uses your grass as a nest and feeding ground. While they prefer the delight of St. Augustine grass, the larvae have also been found to eat other grasses such as bermuda grass and zoysia grass. Tropical sod webworms are light green to gray-green, have dark spots on their body and can be up to 1 inch long.

 

How Do You Know You Have Tropical Sod Webworms?

 

If you notice damage to your lawn and want to determine if you have a tropical sod webworm infestation, here are a few tell-tale signs:

  1. Ragged areas of grass and brown patches with heavy chewing damage
  2. Silky web trail left throughout your grass which is highly visible with the morning dew
  3. Tropical sod webworm moths fluttering above the grass

 

Treatment for Tropical Sod Webworms

 

If you think your lawn is suffering from the damaging effects of tropical sod webworms, East Coast Sprayers is here to help! We will thoroughly inspect your lawn and customize a treatment plan. Treatment can include regular pest control, lawn fertilization, and overall maintenance plans to correct and prevent future damage from tropical sod webworms destroying your Palm Beach lawn. Contact us today to receive your free quote and customized treatment plan!

Your lawn is a crucial part to your home’s landscape. Beautiful ornamentals, trees and flowers can be ruined if your grass is in poor condition.  A lawn with lush, green St. Augustine grass will enhance any landscape, improve curb appeal and ultimately increase your property value in Palm Beach County.  

 

How Do You Choose the Right Grass?

 

In Palm Beach County, there are multiple grass options to choose from that thrive in South Florida conditions. Whether it’s St. Augustine grass or not, there are a number of things to take into consideration when making your grass decision:

 

  1. Maintenance – Do you want a lawn that is meticulously manicured but requires a high level of lawn fertilization and care or are you looking for a low maintenance option that only need to be watered three times per week and mowed once a week? Your preference of maintenance level should be a huge contributing factor to your decision.
  2. Environmental Factors– You need to consider how the environment comes into play when it comes to your grass. How much sun does your yard receive? What is your level of foot traffic on the lawn? Different types of grass have different limitations.
  3. Budget – The price of the grass itself varies across the different types, costing on average anywhere from $3000-$8000 for a ¼ acre. Not only are the higher maintenance turfs more expensive to install, they are also more expensive to maintain and should be a consideration when you are selecting the right grass for your yard.

Pros and Cons of St. Augustine Grass

 

St. Augustine Grass is one of the most commonly used grasses in Palm Beach County. It thrives best in fertile, well drained soils but can also perform well in a multitude to soil profiles. Proper irrigation, insect control and lawn fertilization are imperative to St. Augustine Grass growth.

 

  • Pros
    • Well adapted to most soil profiles
    • Dark green/blue color when properly watered and fertilized
    • Establishes quickly
    • Moderately salt tolerant
    • Moderate maintenance
    • Shade tolerant (some species)
  • Cons
    • Low drought tolerance
    • Susceptive to insects and fungus
    • Poor traffic tolerance
    • Coarse leaf structure (can be painful to walk on barefoot)

St. Augustine Grass Maintenance

 

All grass requires care; insect control, fertilization, weed control, and seasonal requirements can all be managed easily and affordably by a professional. East Coast Sprayers can help to maintain your St. Augustine grass with lawn fertilization and pest control services in the Palm Beach County area. Contact us today to receive your free quote!

Is your lawn looking brown, patchy and dead? While you may think drought is destroying your grass, it could actually be chinch bugs. Chinch bugs are a common pest insect found throughout the United States. These bugs feed on the grass’s fluid and in return, injects a toxin that causes the grass to die. As they continue to reproduce and feed, those brown patches can quickly consume your entire lawn.

 

How Do Chinch Bugs Thrive?

 

Chinch bugs prefer sunlight and warmth; which makes Florida their ideal environment. They thrive in the sunniest parts of your lawn where it is hot and dry. South Florida grasses, such as St. Augustine and zoysia grass, are a favorite of these little bugs providing them with thick, lush thatch to feed and lay their eggs.

 

How Do You Identify a Chinch Bug?

 

If your lawn has dry brown spots, that should be your first indication that chinch bugs have possibly invaded. Unfortunately, these bugs are hard to see in the grass due to their small size. Adult chinch bugs grow to only 1/5 of an in long and are black bodied with white and black wings that overlap. If you want to identify them yourself, you may need to use a magnifying glass to see these tiny pests!

 

Chinch Bug Treatment

 

The best way to treat your lawn for chinch bugs is to contact your lawn care professional to do an inspection and provide a insect control treatment plan. They may recommend liquid or pelletized lawn chemicals to kill off the infestation, stop their breeding cycle, and drive them away from your yard. This type of treatment should always be performed by a professional. Over treatment can damage the lawn and under treatment could leave the bugs more resistant to the chemicals.

 

Contact a Professional

 

The first step to bringing your lawn back to life after a chinch bug infestation is to contact your lawn care professional. East Coast Sprayers will inspect your Palm Beach County lawn for free and provide you with an estimate to control your chinch bug outbreak!