The Best Defense Be Alert!!! Checking plants, turf, trees and home interior weekly is the best defense. We are happy to diagnose and consult with anyone who needs our help. Call Bon Voyage Pest Control, Inc. at (239)261-7474, (239)334-8500 or (239)947-6394 Chinch Bugs Chinch bugs are both one of the most misdiagnosed (40%) insect infestations in Florida turf and the easiest insects to identify. Chinch bug damage can be confused with certain lawn diseases. Brown patch symptoms, however, usually occur in a circular or semi-circular pattern, as opposed to the irregular-shaped areas of dead and dying grass that result from chinch bug feeding. Chinch bug damage also can be difficult to distinguish from that caused by drought or improper quantities of water. Fungus Most lawn fungus problems can be prevented by a combination of proper maintenance (water, cutting, nutrition etc.) and the use of a good fungicide. A healthy lawn is able to fight off enemies such as fungi, weeds, and insect pests. Keeping your turf cut at the right height (3-4” in the fall/winter)and applying the right quantity of water at the proper times (early morning before the sun comes up) and fertilizing with the proper fertilizer will go […]

Change is in the air. The fall season brings with it shorter days, less rain and whole new set of challenges’ and opportunities for the Lawn & Landscape technician. Preventive pest control is the key at this time of the year. Water Many pest infestations exist thru the summer rainy season without being noticed. The University of Florida states that a chinch bug population has to reach 20 to 25 chinch bugs per square foot to do any damage to a St. Augustine lawn. It has been my experience that this is true as long as the turf is actively growing with proper amounts of water, sunlight and nutrition. However when the rain stops it’s a different story. The calibration and operation of sprinkler systems is critical from September thru to the rainy season in June. Prevention is the key – We recommend calibrating sprinkler systems twice a year. Once the proper quantity of water is established (Calibration) it becomes a matter of adding or deleting the days that the sprinkler system runs. Sunlight There are no lawns in the forest!!! Lack of sunlight can cause many problems. As the days grow shorter in fall (less sunlight hours) shade can […]