![\"Bahiagrass](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bahiagrass.jpg\")
Grass is just grass, right? Not hardly. If you live in southern U.S. states, you most likely have a warm-season grass for your lawn. This guide to warm-season grasses will explain why these are your best choices and detail how to keep your lawn green and healthy. In This Guide: What Are Warm-Season Grasses? Warm-season […]
\n","content":"\nGrass is just grass, right? Not hardly. If you live in southern U.S. states, you most likely have a warm-season grass for your lawn. This guide to warm-season grasses will explain why these are your best choices and detail how to keep your lawn green and healthy.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive in the southern U.S., where temperatures pretty consistently remain between 75 and 95 degrees. Warm-season grasses tend to go dormant when the temperature drops below 55 degrees.
\n\n\n\nThe most common types of warm-season grasses are:
\n\n\n\nCertain grass types similarly are common in other regions of the country.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses: These grasses typically thrive well in cooler climates of the northern United States and can withstand colder temperatures better than warm-season grasses. Some cool-season grasses also have strong drought tolerance.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses include fine fescues, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nTransition zone grasses: If you live in a band across the middle of the U.S., also known as the transition zone, you can choose from warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses.
\n\n\n\nRule of thumb: Though you have a wider range of grass choices in the transition zone, homeowners in the northern part tend to choose a cool-season grass, and if your home is in the southern part you likely would choose a warm-season grass.
\n\n\n\nif you aren’t sure what type of grass you have, contact your local Cooperative Extension office to help you learn the type of grass you have in your yard.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses include bahiagrass, bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass. Here’s what you need to know about each of these warm-season grasses:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBahiagrass is very drought tolerant, disease tolerant, and pest-tolerant, and it’s low maintenance.
\n\n\n\nHow to tell if you have bahiagrass: Blades form in a Y shape as they grow.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass can handle a considerable amount of foot traffic but needs frequent mowing because of the seedheads that sprout from the grass. This tough flowering part of the grass can take a toll on mowers, so keep your blades sharp as possible when mowing this grass.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bermudagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is sun loving, drought tolerant and can handle a lot of foot traffic. The only downsides? This grass requires a lot of maintenance and treatments for some common lawn diseases.
\n\n\n\nHow to tell if you have bermudagrass: Your grass blades are light- or dark-colored and resemble the foot of a bird. Bermudagrass spreads by rhizomes and stolons, and you may see them creeping out of your yard toward the sidewalk.
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Centipede_Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar JamesBecwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass is a low-maintenance grass that is not prone to many lawn diseases. The only downside? Centipedegrass doesn’t handle foot traffic well.
\n\n\n\nHow to tell if you have centipedegrass: This grass has a light green color and rounded blade tip. Centipedegrass spreads by stolons and has a dense look and coarse texture. Its dense, fast growth helps naturally prevent weeds.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bubble](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bubble-on-St.-Augustine-grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jay Morgan / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass looks gorgeous, stands up well to foot traffic, and is ideal in coastal areas because it handles the salty environment well. Downside? This grass will require moderate maintenance.
\n\n\n\nHow to tell if you have St. Augustinegrass: This grass has a rich dark green color and coarse texture. St. Augustinegrass is spread by stolons.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/zoysiagrass-4.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Russbach at the English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is very drought-tolerant and can handle a lot of foot traffic. Additionally, it is generally a low-maintenance grass option but will require frequent mowing. Unfortunately, this grass is susceptible to lots of lawn diseases, but it does naturally resist weeds.
\n\n\n\nHow to tell if you have Zoysia: This grass has pointy, narrow blades. This grass can look very fine, or it can appear to be very coarse, depending on the cultivar.
\n\n\n\nHere’s a an easy-to-skim comparison of warm-season grasses, highlighting their foot traffic tolerance, drought-heat tolerance, maintenance, and disease susceptibility:
| Bahiagrass | Bermudagrass | Centipedegrass | St.Augustinegrass | Zoysiagrass | |
| Foot Traffic Tolerance | Moderate | High | Low | Moderate | High |
| Drought/Heat Tolerance | Very High | High | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Maintenance | Low | High | Low | Moderate | Low to Moderate |
| Disease Susceptibility | Low Develops leaf spot | High Develops spring dead spot, dollar spot, large patch, leaf spot, rust | Moderate Develops large patch (aka brown patch) | High Develops gray leaf spot, take-all root rot, pythium root rot, brown patch, fairy ring | Moderate Develops brown patch, rust, dollar spot, powdery mildew, fairy ring, pythium blight |
To keep your warm-season grasses healthy throughout the year you’ll need to:
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rsz_4353671803_e0e987132b_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: sean hobson / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMowing your lawn is one of the most important lawn care and maintenance tasks. Consistent mowing keeps pests and lawn diseases at bay.
\n\n\n\nBefore mowing season starts, sharpen your lawn mower’s blades – and keep them sharp. Here’s why: Cutting your grass with dull blades can put stress on your grass, making your lawn susceptible to pests and disease.
\n\n\n\nMowing Frequency: Most warn-season grasses need to be mowed weekly, but check the details above for your particular grass type. Mow your grass until late fall when dormancy starts to set in, and the grass stops growing.
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: As the growing season progresses, you will lower and raise your lawn mower’s blades to various heights. In summer, keep a higher grass height to avoid scalping and allow for more moisture to remain in your grass.
\n\n\n\nRule of Thumb: Don’t cut more than ⅓ of the height of your warm-season grass. Additionally, mow your grass until late fall when dormancy starts to set in, and the grass stops growing.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: Keep your mower blades clean between cuttings, particularly if your grass has recently had a lawn disease. This will prevent the spread of disease to other parts of our grass.
\n\n\n\nIf this all seems like way too much work and you don’t want to push your lawn mower around your yard, hire a lawn care pro near you.
\n\n\n\n![\"Set](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Wikilawn-Sprinklers.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aqua Mechanical / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnsure that your warm-season grass gets about 1 to 1.5 inches of water from a combination of rain and your sprinkler system. Note and abide by any local watering restrictions.
\n\n\n\nTiming: Ideally, water your grass before 8 a.m. This will minimize the growth of disease and water from evaporating during warmer parts of the day before it penetrates the soil. Avoid watering in temperatures below 40 degrees, as this could damage the grass.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: If you want your grass to have a strong root system, water for longer periods less frequently.
\n\n\n\n![\"Dollarweed](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Dollarweed-also-called-floating-pennywort-water-pennywort-Indian-pennywort-marsh-penny-thick-leaved-pennywort.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dariusz Kowalczyk / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeeds are another problem that could spring up in your lawn. How weeds damage your lawn: Weeds compete for nutrients that your grass needs.
\n\n\n\nIdentifying the weed (or weeds) in your yard is the starting point for treatment.
\n\n\n\nWith warm-season grasses, you may come across warm-season weeds, which include the following:
\n\n\n\nYou will need to treat these and other types of warm-season weeds with either a pre-emergent herbicide or post-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\nPre-emergent herbicides attack weeds below ground before they germinate, blocking weeds from sprouting. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring when the soil temperature is around 55 degrees and in fall when temperatures are around 70 degrees.
\n\n\n\nPost-emergent herbicides are a spray-and-shoot option to get rid of weeds you see on your lawn. Apply post-emergent herbicides in summer (or whenever dandelions take up residence in your yard).
\n\n\n\nYou can also get rid of weeds by pulling them up by hand. Wear garden gloves to keep your hands from getting dirty.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lawn-Fertilizer-Spreader.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dion Hinchcliffe / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nApply fertilizer to feed your grass by giving the soil the nutrients it needs to help grass grow and maintain a healthy green color.
\n\n\n\nSomething as simple as grass clippings can fertilize your grass, but you also may want to apply synthetic fertilizers for vibrant and healthy grass throughout the growing season.
\n\n\n\nFrequency: Every four to six weeks and even longer between fertilizing if you use slow-release fertilizers.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: The most important thing is that you don’t over-fertilize your grass because this could kill it and leave patches throughout your lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-Aeration-Tool.jpg\")
Photo Credit: allispossible.org.uk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAeration minimizes soil compaction and is another way to ensure your grass and soil get all the needed nutrients, particularly air. How to aerate your soil: You can use an aeration tool, aeration shoes, or a spike to poke holes in the ground, loosening compacted soil and letting in more air.
\n\n\n\nTiming: For warm-season grasses, it’s best to aerate your lawn in summer.
\n\n\n\nFrequency: Aerate once a year for highly compacted soil types such as clay. However, if you have a sandy soil type, you may need to aerate your soil only every three years.
\n\n\n\n![\"dethatcher](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hand-scarifiers-g35cd23e32_1920-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf a small layer of dead and living organic matter builds up at the base of your grass, close to the soil, that is called thatch. This can make it hard for your grass to breathe.
\n\n\n\nWhat is dethatching? You must clear away this debris with a dethatching tool such as a rake or a mechanical tool.
\n\n\n\nFrequency: You should dethatch your grass at least every five years or when thatch gets thicker than 1 inch.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: If your lawn is prone to thatching, check for thatch annually.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Brown_Patch-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwo of the most damaging threats to your grass are lawn pests and lawn diseases.
\n\n\n\nGrubs, for example, will feed on your grass until they become mature adults unless you treat them with pesticides. Grubs are the white larvae you see on your grass from beetles that may have infested your yard in the previous season.
\n\n\n\nYour grass also may be damaged by lawn diseases. Some lawn diseases attack the root, while others attack the leaf blades of your grass.
\n\n\n\nYou will need to identify the lawn disease before applying a fungicide to eliminate the problem. Otherwise, applying the wrong treatment could create even worse problems.
\n\n\n\n![\"Overseeding](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_2img_3650.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOverseeding fills in patches and makes your lawn thicker and stronger. A patchy lawn can be the result of scalping or the result of some lawn disease or pest (armyworms, for example).
\n\n\n\nHow to overseed your lawn: It’s best to overseed warm-season grasses with a cool-season grass such as perennial ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nTiming: Overseed your warm-season grass in mid-October to mid-November. This ensures your overseeded grass remains moist. By the time spring comes around, your lawn’s patches should be slowly disappearing as overseeded areas start to bloom.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to pests, you may also start to see weeds more frequently in mid to late summer. As you see weeds, spot-treat them with a post-emergent herbicide.
\n\n\n\nYes. It is possible to plant warm-season grasses in cool regions. However, since they thrive in temperatures between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, they will go dormant and turn brown when it gets too cold for these grasses. Once it warms up again, they will turn green.
No. Both warm- and cool-season grasses are susceptible to lawn diseases. They just may succumb to lawn disease at different times of the year.
For example, cool-season grasses may develop lawn diseases in summer, while warm-season grasses develop lawn diseases in late all through early spring.
Yes. Warm-season grasses tend to be more drought-resistant than many of the cool-season grasses. Also, note that some warm-season grasses are more drought-resistant than others.
Not every homeowner has a green thumb when it comes to taking care of grass. There are many rules to abide by to keep your warm-season grass looking its best.
\n\n\n\nIf you’d rather not spend hours on yard work every week, turn over this task to a local lawn care pro who can regularly maintain your grass.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Illustration by Juan Rodriguez
\n","title":"Guide to Warm-Season Grasses","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.444043321299639,"src":"/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/1789c/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/107df/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg 320w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/293e9/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg 500w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/f2cbb/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg 800w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/1789c/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg 960w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/c26c2/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/1dd6e/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/67b76/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp 320w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/8df11/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp 500w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/98a65/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp 800w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/1dd6e/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp 960w,\n/static/d035393a5e0918d7aa41475c6e778b2a/3cc96/Cool-Season-Warm-Season-Transition-Zone.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Guide to Warm-Season Grasses","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Warm-season grasses are best suited for the warmer climate across the southern U.S. We’ll show you how to care for Zoysia and other warm-season grasses."}}},{"node":{"id":"c8821141-6409-59b1-9d5a-5a8360c22227","slug":"how-to-test-and-improve-your-soil","path":"/blog/how-to-test-and-improve-your-soil/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Alison is a Midwesterner through and through, and loves to spend her time baking and reading. Always at home in the dirt, as a kid, Alison raised a vegetable garden with her dad, and flower gardens with her mom.","name":"Alison Hoover","id":"2d4efd75-80f4-58b0-b715-bcefffb32f2f","path":"/author/alison-hoover/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54d52d00b8587655742aec8164f06427?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"}],"date":"March 11th, 2023","excerpt":"A great-looking lawn begins with great soil. Testing the acidity and composition of your soil is an easy process. Let’s break down why and how to test and improve your soil, as well as the soil amendments you’ll want to consider. In this article, we’ll cover: Why You Need to Test and Improve Your Soil […]
\n","content":"\nA great-looking lawn begins with great soil. Testing the acidity and composition of your soil is an easy process. Let’s break down why and how to test and improve your soil, as well as the soil amendments you’ll want to consider.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nPlant growth is impacted by the pH balance of the soil. Grass and plants can’t survive in soil that’s too acidic or has too much alkaline. The pH number ranges from 1 to 14. A level below 7 is considered acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. A measurement of 7 is neutral.
\n\n\n\nKnowing the pH of soil lets you decide what to plant and where. The results of a soil test will also indicate how you can improve plant quality. This includes adding fertilizers and other amendments.
\n\n\n\nYou can buy a soil test kit at any home improvement or lawn and garden store. Choose a kit based on what you want to learn about your soil. These kits will come with detailed instructions from the manufacturer.
\n\n\n\nAt-home testing kits are accurate enough for the casual gardener and lawn enthusiast. If you’re looking for something more specific, you should consider a full nutrient analysis. Your local cooperative extension office can provide you with the soil testing kit and perform the analysis.
\n\n\n\nThe testing process will vary slightly depending on the kit you purchase, but the general process will be the same.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: If your sample has lots of earthworms wiggling about, this means your soil already has a strong composition of organic matter.
\n\n\n\nA soil amendment is anything added to the soil to improve nutrients, water retention, pH levels, air intake, and absorption. The goal of mixing amendments into your soil is to improve the environment for healthy root growth.
\n\n\n\nThere are two categories of soil amendments:
\n\n\n\nWhile mulch can be used to improve soil properties, it is not considered an amendment since it sits atop the soil.
\n\n\n\nThere are many options for amendments depending on what your soil test indicates. Cover crops and composted manure are great options, but not always necessary for home gardeners.
\n\n\n\nMost residential soils will benefit from one of the following common amendments:
\n\n\n\nSome gardens will require very specific adjustments and might require one of the following:
\n\n\n\nThere are three broad classifications of soil based on the rock particles it contains. Texture can be amended by adding organic matter such as compost or plant material.
\n\n\n\nGarden soil should be about 5% organic matter. Organic matter ensures the release of nitrogen is adequate to support your lawn and plants without additional fertilizers.
\n\n\n\nWhen should you add soil amendments?
\n\n\n\nAdd organic amendments in the fall, allowing earthworms to work it deeper into the ground by spring.
\n\n\n\nIf you need to amend in the spring, do so as soon as the soil is dry enough to work with.
\n\n\n\nHealthy soil is the first step to healthy and lower maintenance gardens.
\n\n\n\nWhat elements should I keep in mind when amending my soil?
\n\n\n\nFrequent testing will help you determine if your amendments are working. Once you get the soil where you want it, you only need to test every couple of years.
\n\n\n\nSamples should come from near the plant roots. This could be a specific garden bed or a tree’s root system. To assess the soil quality in your lawn, take samples from different areas based on conditions.
\n\n\n\nPhosphorus: Promotes root growth, plant maturity, and winter hardiness.
\n\n\n\nPotassium: Disease resistance, drought tolerance, and plant strength.
\n\n\n\nCalcium: Improves soil structure, aeration, and water retention.
\n\n\n\nMagnesium: Improves plant growth and chlorophyll production.
\n\n\n\n
While testing the soil in your yard might not be an overwhelming task, amending it might. If you find yourself short on time, patience, or ideas, consider calling on a local lawn care professional. The pros know just what to do to keep your soil healthy and when to do it, allowing you to simply enjoy the outcome.
Main photo credit: Rawpixel | CC0 1.0
\n","title":"How to Test and Improve Your Soil","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.518987341772152,"src":"/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/1789c/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/107df/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg 320w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/293e9/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg 500w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/f2cbb/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg 800w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/1789c/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg 960w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/c26c2/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/1dd6e/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/67b76/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp 320w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/8df11/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp 500w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/98a65/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp 800w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/1dd6e/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp 960w,\n/static/6ff1687d7c242a663bf398fbfcca52d9/3cc96/rsz_1screen_shot_2022-08-10_at_14109_pm.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Test and Improve Your Soil | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Healthy soil produces healthy plants and lawns. We’ll show you how to test and improve your soil for a greener lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"d68823e9-2d73-5ba2-87c2-e498ffc77e24","slug":"lawn-love-review","path":"/blog/lawn-love-review/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kimberly Magerl enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in her garden. When she isn't gardening, Kimberly enjoys trying new recipes and cooking with her home-grown herbs.","name":"Kimberly Magerl","id":"bdf803c6-4d01-5c0e-88b1-1ea590340a8a","path":"/author/kimberly-magerl/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45ebe89479badde7ee7cb5108a96462c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"January 20th, 2023","excerpt":"Lawn Love. Most customers absolutely love it. Our Lawn Love review looks at the lawn care company’s services, prices, customer reviews, competitors, and more to help you make a decision. But first, why is Wikilawn reviewing Lawn Love? We’re sizing up one of the big dogs in the lawn care services space to help you […]
\n","content":"\nLawn Love. Most customers absolutely love it. Our Lawn Love review looks at the lawn care company’s services, prices, customer reviews, competitors, and more to help you make a decision.
\n\n\n\nBut first, why is Wikilawn reviewing Lawn Love? We’re sizing up one of the big dogs in the lawn care services space to help you choose your lawn care provider. This review is also a chance for us internally to see how Lawn Love stacks up against Wikilawn.
\n\n\n\nOur conclusion: Lawn Love is overall a great convenient option if you want mowing and basic services. If you need something like a large landscaping job, it’s probably not for you.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nLawn Love is one of the major players in the lawn care service space, along with LawnStarter, Wikilawn, and GreenPal. Lawn Love makes it easy to book lawn care services in minutes via its website or by phone.
\n\n\n\nIn a 2019 interview, Lawn Love founder Jeremy Yamaguchi said he believed San Diego-based Lawn Love could do for yard care what Uber did for ride-sharing – make it fast, accessible and easy.
\n\n\n\n“Traditionally, consumers have had to wait for a lawn care worker to physically come to their property, offer a quote and schedule the service,” he said. “It can take weeks to get the job done after initial contact was made. We’re excited to be bringing modern lawn care to homeowners.”
\n\n\n\nLawn Love puts a high-tech spin on the normally low-tech business of lawn care and makes comparing quotes and booking a service.
\n\n\n\nStep 1: From the home page, enter your name, street address, and phone number and click “See price.”
\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zrG8zUE4TpTjxQt5CIdGQYTwCI0FxHfnqmohOcZSpEMr7hnqSUw9ausPaZi8WequvcuJS1qqzQZ3u1JOFLec_r8N4h0cICvEwVm3MyPke56Di99TY9lnNgBN3zVanSE7bFvmIg9W-RLORbYlGF3fAJSIsagsUR8vQ-l_3vT4VKOGP_HRkqC1InFrWvtZmg\")
Step 2: Enter your personal and billing information in the form. Select your mowing frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
\n\n\n\nStep 3: Provide details about your property to help Lawn Love match you with the best service provider.
\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r5HzxeP-I0_Sz7cxMySUwSZhQUTLB4iiIyWo6wae2NGl7st5METfo9NUPPM3DgoT9FHZIWHIbr64yP4SQZZtrNZoAegdJNDTymdje0-sQ9KaULzx_0GH4yxrrURAaEFbCy36RyDAq2mJty00V87oi3rebebqiP74WeRGzWqqb5ayqz3q59VpDSg1AHaasQ\")
Step 4: Plug in your payment information. Note: Lawn Love accepts only credit or debit card payments.
\n\n\n\nHomeowners require more than just quality lawn mowing, gutter cleaning, and leaf removal. Lawn Love provides more than a dozen services to help you maintain your green oasis year-round.
\n\n\n\nHere is a look at the main ones:
\n\n\n\n| Yard Services | Weed Services |
| Lawn Mowing | Weed Control |
| Edging | Organic Weed Control |
| Aeration | Pre-emergent Weed Services |
| Fertilization | Outdoor Services |
| Seeding | Gutter Cleaning and Installation |
| Yard Cleanup | Landscaping |
| Leaf Removal | Landscape Design |
Lawn Love uses local real estate records to calculate the size of your property and then generates a price quote.
\n\n\n\nIt’s difficult to provide an exact price for mowing services because there are so many variables, but a good range for an average, quarter-acre yard is $29 to $65. That includes edging and blowing grass clippings off patios and walkways.
\n\n\n\nSometimes, first-time Lawn Love customers can take advantage of a $19 first-time mowing special.
\n\n\n\nUnlike most of its competitors, Lawn Love offers at least some general guidance on what you can expect to pay for certain services. (Of course, your actual price will vary based on your yard size.):
\n\n\n\n$30 – $50 for bi-weekly mowing and trimming service
\n\n\n\n$35 – $50 for bi-weekly mowing and periodic fertilization
\n\n\n\n$80 – $120 for aeration service
\n\n\n\n$60 – $150 for leaf cleanup
\n\n\n\nWorth noting: Lawn Love’s lawn care pros don’t bag grass clippings. They may if you request it, but it’ll probably cost slightly more.
\n\n\n\nAlso worth noting: Lawn Love adds a Long Grass Fee for grass that is between 6 and 12 inches high. This is pretty standard practice in the industry. The Long Grass Fee can be 50% to 100% on top of the basic mowing price.
\n\n\n\nIt’s nearly impossible here to quote an average price for each outdoor service because the prices vary depending upon the size of your home or property, the type of work you need done, the region in which you live, and other factors.
\n\n\n\nLawn Love has built in safeguards to protect customers from shoddy work and unreliable contractors.
\n\n\n\nUser reviews are helpful for assessing customers’ satisfaction, and Lawn Love gets generally high marks from its customers.
\n\n\n\nHere is a random sampling of Lawn Love user reviews:
\n\n\n\nAffordable and Flexible: “My service provider was very professional and friendly. They took the time to do the job right and were on time, affordable, and flexible. I love the different options: weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. It was the best service I’ve ever had.” – George / Trustpilot
Online Scheduling: “I love Lawn Love’s service. I can conveniently schedule service online, and the pricing is more reasonable than most places. The crews are professional and proficient. I will keep using Lawn Love.” – Christie C. / REVIEWS.io
\n\n\n\nUnclear Booking Process: “I found Lawn Love on Google. Their online booking was a tad unclear, but the actual service was great! They were super fast. I got a text that they were on the way, and the crew did a fantastic job.” – Kristen / Trustpilot
\n\n\n\nDisappointed: “I was hoping with the mowing and maintenance and trimming that the yellow flowers would be trimmed in the front but, that wasn’t done or anything in the front. The backyard grass was uneven so I was hoping it would be an even cut but, now I have uneven low grass with bald spots.” – Priscilla / Trustpilot
\n\n\n\nLawn Love customers like the customer support and convenient online scheduling, but most wish Lawn Love’s sign-up process was a little clearer.
\n\n\n\nPros
\n\n\n\nCons
\n\n\n\nThere are many affordable on-demand lawn care service providers. Here is a look at Lawn Love and its competitors, LawnStarter, GreenPal, and Wikilawn:
\n\n\n\n![](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wC5V5lUJCCGOJvW9T2k0m0gV9QXw3JDVBm11da-rX5S4jp7okL1fnkAH-kmPFCzQhvRwoXpi1yDoc2Mf7YblSETlx7ll6wZKnsQkOWbR2FovXbgU05Zn-jlt4kw3c4d7PV7JKP3VhHS00MEi51xvm_1bzGHhiWIXcGqL6Zpvqw1sADc1XQs4qKa-Cdcwpw\")
| Locations | Available in most U.S. metro areas |
| Services offered | 12+ |
| Customer reviews (average as of publish date) | 4.7 on Trustpilot |
| How it works | You get an instant quote, then a Lawn Love pro near you is assigned to handle your job |
| Ways to book service | Website or phone |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $24. |
| Year founded | 2014 |
| Based in | San Diego |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | Yes |
![](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Haym_9TP6o11NlzbZrzz5Sy3B3mZHbG9bzLvFqZzX42B-tnp5sqvlLR2GDXswMKkRykSzk-4YyfbZtTTjL8jRqxmb8D0-wtb2LZsUcTcW-FedyE4Tpv1dPSKYa3z5SuR_AdqolxL7YqibfWoXxwT8WdbkhCFoKUimdtDKcmrsMMC_dHpaNaf2uDLh4ib0g\")
| Locations | Available in most U.S. metro areas |
| Services offered | 20+ |
| Customer reviews (average as of publish date) | 4.6 out of 5 |
| How it works | You get an instant quote, then a LawnStarter pro near you is assigned to handle your job |
| Ways to book service | Website, phone, or mobile app |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $19. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Austin, Texas |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
![](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/plyOf0FATj24UAdoRevSr-YCW_5GznpB5Mii5xCNGMe1Ax0iiHWnTn4m0hX39XTwWtFR6RyH9neMjLqbDk1YDFJfNs4jFeEgQGPk7lOnxQi3E_-7stKG4_To8TweTUiDL0eLU3HaQCIeW1XJJTtMJKyNSSpFWe3enGydZ1Cnu8HhVHu42a5bQiJ6DYvFMA\")
| Locations | Available in most metro areas across the U.S. |
| Services offered | Lawn care, lawn maintenance, yard cleanups, snow removal |
| Customer reviews (average as of publish date) | 4.25 |
| How it works | Your lawn mowing is put out for bid |
| Ways to book service | Website, app or phone |
| Basic price | You’ll get multiple lawn mowing quotes from $25 to $45 |
| Year founded | 2012 |
| Based in | Nashville |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
![\"Wikilawn](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/rsz_171e64b7d-5080-473b-9793-87d2629a1cca_4_5005_c.jpg\")
| Locations | Available in most U.S. metro areas |
| Services offered | Lawn mowing, landscaping, and gardening |
| Customer reviews (average as of publish date) | Unable to find customer review star ratings online |
| How it works | Your lawn mowing is put out for bid |
| Ways to book service | Website |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Dallas |
Sure, we’ve just given you the high points and the lowdown on Lawn Love, but you’re on the Wikilawn website. We’re the little lawn care site that could. We’re Avis. We try harder (and we succeed).
\n\n\n\n
Book your lawn care through Wikilawn and you’ll be connected to one of the best lawn care pros near you. Let me repeat that. You’ll get one of the best lawn care pros near you – not the best Lawn Love pro near you.
Here’s what you get with Wikilawn:
\n\n\n\nMore Pros: Wikilawn casts a bigger net to match you with the right lawn care pro for your job. LawnStarter, Lawn Love, and service providers like HomeAdvisor/Angi and Networx can bid on your job.
\n\n\n\nMaybe a Lower Price: Your lawn care may cost less too. More pros (more bidders) often leads to lower prices as they compete for your business. Of course, the price quotes you get back will depend upon the kind of work you want done, the size of your yard, and other factors.
\n\n\n\nEasy to Use: Lawn Love makes lawn care easy (just like Wikilawn).
\n\n\n\nSo with Lawn Love, will you love it or leave it? That’s up to you.
\n\n\n\nOf course, you could just use Wikilawn to find your next lawn care pro. You’re already here. Why go somewhere else?
\n\n\n\n\n","title":"Lawn Love Review: Services, Prices, Pros and Cons","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/1789c/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/107df/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/293e9/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/f2cbb/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg 800w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/1789c/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg 960w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/c26c2/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/1dd6e/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/67b76/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp 320w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/8df11/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp 500w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/98a65/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp 800w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/1dd6e/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp 960w,\n/static/f1f57e1d19141e865529d4d7edcb23d2/3cc96/Lawn-Love-Review-for-Wikilawn.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Lawn Love Review: Services, Prices, Pros and Cons | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Will you love Lawn Love? That depends. Our Lawn Love review looks at its services, prices, customer reviews, and more."}}},{"node":{"id":"e401ec73-35b8-5c01-9cb8-e0f57b2a3fc2","slug":"lawnstarter-review","path":"/blog/lawnstarter-review/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"January 20th, 2023","excerpt":"LawnStarter has been called the Uber of lawn care, but is it legit? Short answer? Yes. Longer answer? You’ll find all you need to know in our LawnStarter review of its services, prices, customer reviews, and competitors. Interestingly, LawnStarter’s co-founders don’t want to be likened to Uber, but that moniker has stuck in investment circles. […]
\n","content":"\nLawnStarter has been called the Uber of lawn care, but is it legit? Short answer? Yes. Longer answer? You’ll find all you need to know in our LawnStarter review of its services, prices, customer reviews, and competitors.
\n\n\n\nInterestingly, LawnStarter’s co-founders don’t want to be likened to Uber, but that moniker has stuck in investment circles.
\n\n\n\n“So many people are trying to make an ‘Uber for X’. There’s only one Uber, and that’s Uber,” LawnStarter co-founder Ryan Farley says. “We’re not an on-demand, real-time company. It makes no sense for lawn care to be that way.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zE1ChS6Og1vxg-VYYe-AZ1xQfxm_SCWMlJridVo3t3SbBRr0-DQ7fGQBOnXXrVIF_-fK13INDU1Eb7DBU4cipmMW9FYqoYrAVjzaIvLsQHn9amuSoHAirxtTuCR9DU0tjJH3713Fmn6txczEN89fuxBUW5_jJeGWs5QC8B8Ie5c362bNQFG9pjBEsnOlVg\")
Whether the company is Uber-like or not, it has become the largest, most popular way for homeowners to care for their lawn, and for good reason.
\n\n\n\nIn this Review:
\n\n\n\nWhy is Wikilawn reviewing LawnStarter? Wikilawn was created to compete with LawnStarter and similar sites, and our aim is to one day be better than all of them.
\n\n\n\nLawnStarter connects you with lawn care and other outdoor services pros in your area.
\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2KG41896TuXxdLqF8YIT4jhawWKzzJNYCx2kqiPBDVpFnrTveSXyRTdPPIYcfUQ_ObuqYTDFB9orpDAe9SJQ3qXgvZYBnnnQZHMHPGjSW1-KIaQvbK7o5Isq1D7wSPADQBxddUStmD6kYKW4I0TsJHNU2Ws3QN5HhzXtqPh5nfUsk1a0OmI0yfxDChX8NA\")
How it works: You can get instant quotes for outdoor services by phone, the LawnStarter website, or by the startup’s app, which likely is how that whole “Uber of lawn care” comparison got started.
\n\n\n\nPayment is by credit card or debit card, and if your pro did a great job, you can even tip her or him via the app.
\n\n\n\nLawnStarter history: LawnStarter started in Austin, Texas, in 2013, as a lawn care service provider. The company has grown and now operates in nearly every major metro across the U.S. and can connect you with pros for all sorts of outdoor services.
\n\n\n\nThe Uber of lawn care is now the Uber of all outdoor services.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f8VoxgybN4tQceQNQoMpGYckFpKkdxUWLtcfoSiYynu_uDWFceOjRfziA86avkp79KZdJflNCDueAyb2ZGBfbX2CjZ0WHfm2gdro3lL8BGxfgS7z5GRYNKPUkf-OD6sYgTTpuW4J1mwiEecbOyWrPciv1IFbvsEM5rNOnoojSHw5Fm2z_48Shewgf4spRg\")
LawnStarter uses local real estate records to calculate the size of your property and then generates a price quote. It often offers a $19 first-time mowing special for new customers. After that, mowing prices generally start at $29 per week. Price varies by the size of your yard.
\n\n\n\nA good range for an average, quarter-acre yard is $29 to $65. That includes edging and blowing grass clippings off patios and walkways. Generally, LawnStarter’s lawn care pros don’t bag clippings. They may if you request it, but expect to pay slightly more.
\n\n\n\nWorth Noting: If your grass is super long, say between 6 and 12 inches, LawnStarter tacks on an additional charge, which can be quite steep.
\n\n\n\nLawnStarter offers 20-plus outdoor services. It’s nearly impossible here to quote an average price for each service because the cost varies somewhat depending upon the size of your home or property, the type of work you need done, the region in which you live, and other factors.
\n\n\n\nHowever, you can get free quotes for any kind of work within seconds on the LawnStarter website or on the app.
\n\n\n\nJust want your lawn mowed and kept in tip-top shape? Maybe you’ll decide that LawnStarter, with all of its various services, is a non-starter for you. After all, can one site do everything well?
\n\n\n\nTry us at Wikilawn. You simply choose the lawn care service you want, put in your address, and we put your job out to bid to local yard care professionals.
\n\n\n\nThe price quotes you get back will depend on the size of your yard and other factors, but we cast a really wide net through sites like Lawn Love, HomeAdvisor, and Networx to ensure you get the best price possible.
\n\n\n\nSo how do you use LawnStarter?
\n\n\n\n![](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/F_Wb07EsZcD87OnSk4go6mMlAV12fhHbrTCo_7hZK9SvfA8oRYI7TWPnv-b22O4pCksryWYZsTMmevIOsekIvXhyk4TM-DuFe0W_GuD8U8_kguJP4_3OY2aEJACul-qQZQjK2sflSXUzmSevEjq3lDMBax2rZozFQEWtZU2AqHsXdzfkYj5kWxKIP7-gRA\")
Visit LawnStarter or log onto the mobile app. Enter your address, name, and phone number into the search bar, and click the “Request Quote” button.
\n\n\n\nNote: LawnStarter’s app offers a more stripped-down menu of services. If you want to book lawn care services, the app works great. If you want other outdoor services, the LawnStarter website is your better option.
\n\n\n\nChoose one or more services from the menu. For lawn care, choose your frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly).
Click “Get Free Quotes” (after you ensure your contact information is correct, of course).
\n\n\n\nWhat’s next?
\n\n\n\nFor lawn care services: LawnStarter will match you with a lawn care provider near you and your first service will be scheduled.
\n\n\n\nLawnStarter offers more services than competitors Lawn Love and GreenPal, but here’s a closer look at how LawnStarter, Lawn Love, GreenPal, and Wikilawn compare.
\n\n\n\n![](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ydc33opV1-rL95WHorZodYWXsTeFolKwfQalWcPCkWQx14IDTA0P1ssgldltjXteXKtu2rPtS4tPbsP7TpkkER-JXLek74kQv2Rkh5lOGW0ZeO6XOJ3it1i1XeNxlUK9x96rlQppEj5_DfrrZ5yhrU8-7xzoVvxHMuWr1TPc_ACDoJu8Y_TIDkywyy7Okg\")
| Metro areas covered | 120+ |
| Services offered | 20+ |
| Customer reviews (average as of the publishing date) | 4.8 out of 5 |
| How it works | A LawnStarter pro near you mows your lawn at the frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly) you choose. |
| Ways to book service | Website, phone, or mobile app |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $19. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Austin, Texas |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
![](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NdWBnc_CMKGsu53lEo6S3m8yjOmvI1qXfg1Gn9zQz-c12dlZ20o8SEhPgbhugL5XM8iLLNVTSXWtPRzmZMuSPdvIMGgEyYZNV7eabwPN0Q7RfY_hk3CVtXZpY8TES-Z7F8nmDFUDyK1EgrtxdG-auo9lhx9BF-wlJMtQ4E_qa8jsNiPn4AETl0PJHm1eAg\")
| Metro areas covered | 120+ |
| Services offered | 10+ |
| Customer reviews (average as of the publishing date) | 4.7 out of 5 stars |
| How it works | A Lawn Love pro near you mows your lawn at the frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly) you choose. |
| Ways to book service | Website or phone |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $24. |
| Year founded | 2014 |
| Based in | San Diego |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | Yes |
![](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/96aKsbY4azkOr7uppJEgLUvkVRI2hEJ-I8tb-X_d_Z8yqght8QC-DHOvipqesRRZXh6p4Tn1rHJ22MPjAUvSAe4nFw82tDfyONMhKrPzuCdn5CLPWP91VN58np0Y4jBaJJMyW9KIzNpZPkxeg8S_nnfS6tuRyo5v7iZ7YHQXZ8dTIh-Al5wMNog3govGew\")
| Metro areas covered | 100+ |
| Services offered | Lawn care, lawn maintenance, yard cleanups, snow removal |
| Customer reviews (average as of the publishing date) | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
| How it works | Your lawn mowing is put out for bid to lawn care pros near you |
| Ways to book service | Website, app or phone |
| Basic price | You’ll get multiple lawn mowing quotes from $25 to $45 |
| Year founded | 2012 |
| Based in | Nashville |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
| Metro areas covered | Available in most U.S. metro |
| Services offered | Lawn care, gardening, and landscaping |
| Customer reviews (average as of the publishing date) | No ratings available online |
| How it works | You’ll get a quote in minutes from up to 4 professionals who can tackle your lawn care or other outdoor job. |
| Ways to book service | Website |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and the service providers’ quotes. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Dallas |
No product or service is perfect. Here are what LawnStarter excels and where it needs improvement.
\n\n\n\nPros
\n\n\n\nCons
\n\n\n\nLawnStarter does get high marks from customers (as of this writing).
\n\n\n\nHere are a few of the customer reviews, both positive and negative:
\n\n\n\nWell Done and Thorough: “Good professional work on my large lawn (I am recovering from surgery and cannot push my own lawn machinery around for a number of weeks). Well done, thorough, completes the job. I feel I’ve contracted with a fine lawn service to fill in for me while I’m still unable to do it. … Much appreciated!” – Steve B.
\n\n\n\nSaved Me a Ton of Grief: “They have not failed to come out and do a good job for over 2 years. … (LawnStarter) has saved me a ton of grief for arranging services myself.” – Karl K.
\n\n\n\nFirst Time Wasn’t the Charm: “Our initial (LawnStarter) appointment was missed by the assigned person. After contacting the app, we were assigned a new company and are very happy with them. So far, any issues I have had have been promptly and without any hassle on my part.” – R. McCann
\n\n\n\nBroken Sprinkler Head: “I had my sprinkler head broken several times during my service. Both times I was given the option to have them replace the item or for me to be reimbursed. Both times I selected to have them replaced and both times was told they could not replace it, only offer me a small credit to replace the item.” – Justin
\n\n\n\nWe at Wikilawn make it easy to hire a lawn care pro to keep your grass green and healthy. It often will cost you less than LawnStarter and the other guys, too, because we cast the biggest net of lawn care pros.
\n\n\n\nSo before you go somewhere else, you’re already here.
\n\n\n\nLet Wikilawn find a lawn care pro near you to cut your grass and boost your home’s curb appeal.
\n\n\n\n![](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zYKvKOakIX9l8YnT-rPYa_hqJVssZWRFL9E45BMkrNsYuL8AYV5LgnRAEQYxv0fBZoAllKjSH5NkrS_mDVp5HmPmLfNfSv_Mrfez2OO2rEJlrw8CV05cL-gfLZPLsooafCqv9IBhmtq7DX1kfy7fS4WClSMjVbcgelnybnn1TpCWo5-STXbEo4ePqqP5Gw\")
But, circling back to the beginning of this review … Is the Uber of lawn care legit? We think so.
\n\n\n\nYou trust Uber to get you to the airport or to deliver dinner. Uber is ubiquitous. If you want a fancy app to book your lawn care service, sure, go with the so-called Uber of outdoor services – sorry, Mr. Farley.
\n\n\n\nOr you could just book your lawn care through Wikilawn. (Wink-wink, nudge-nudge.)
\n\n\n\n\n","title":"LawnStarter Review: Reviews, Services, Prices, and Alternatives","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7796143250688705,"src":"/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/bc41c/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/107df/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/293e9/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/bc41c/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 646w","srcWebp":"/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/7328c/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/67b76/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 320w,\n/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/8df11/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 500w,\n/static/c6947c73542ff36eebc59af310eca73e/7328c/LawnStarter-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 646w","sizes":"(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"LawnStarter Review: Reviews, Services, Prices, and Alternatives | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Does LawnStarter live up to its reputation as the “Uber of lawn care?” Our LawnStarter review looks at its services, prices, customer reviews, and more."}}},{"node":{"id":"2428eb81-6f8a-5782-a662-6bdc34ee6900","slug":"greenpal-full-review-it-works-unless-youre-unhappy-with-service","path":"/blog/greenpal-full-review-it-works-unless-youre-unhappy-with-service/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Beck Carter","id":"3b38b422-934a-5aae-81e6-7a8844634ab1","path":"/author/beck-carter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/faa5e8711d89766a0fe69560b04f52b1?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"}],"date":"January 20th, 2023","excerpt":"There are apps for everything, even booking lawn care. In this review, we’ll share what we learned about one of those lawn care companies, GreenPal – its services, prices, reputation, customer ratings and more. GreenPal claims to be easy, affordable, and reliable. Is it? We think not. If you’re unhappy with your service, you’re probably […]
\n","content":"\nThere are apps for everything, even booking lawn care. In this review, we’ll share what we learned about one of those lawn care companies, GreenPal – its services, prices, reputation, customer ratings and more.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal claims to be easy, affordable, and reliable. Is it? We think not. If you’re unhappy with your service, you’re probably going to have to duke it out with GreenPal’s lawn pro yourself because GreenPal doesn’t mediate problems between customers and its pros. More on that later.
\n\n\n\nOur verdict: Greenpal just doesn’t quite cut it, in our opinion. If you want lawn care, either hire a lawn care company directly using a service like Wikilawn, or if you prefer convenience, use a marketplace like LawnStarter that has higher quality and a convenient mobile app.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn this review:
\n\n\n\nBased in Nashville, GreenPal started as a shared idea between four friends who wanted to create the lawn care version of Uber and Airbnb. The founders, who all have backgrounds in the landscaping industry, recognized the demand for same-day lawn care the way Instacart provides on-demand grocery delivery, and created the company in April 2012.
\n\n\n\nNow, GreenPal is available in 45 states and claims to have over 1 million customers. More than 10,000 vendors on the app offer their services for lawn mowing and snow removal.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal lets you list your lawn care service needs on the app or website so local lawn care professionals can bid on your mowing or snow blowing jobs. The company claims you’ll get up to five bids within 24 hours, but we found bids started coming almost immediately.
\n\n\n\nEach lawn care quote includes the following:
\n\n\n\nGreenPal does not bag lawn clippings, prune shrubs or provide landscaping services. However, once a customer has initiated service with a lawn care company, arranging additional services directly with their lawn care professional is simple.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal’s lawn care professionals do not offer one-time services, preferring instead to become your regular lawn service. You can cancel ongoing services if you are unhappy with your lawn care.
\n\n\n\nThe price of lawn care through GreenPal depends on the size of your lawn, the services requested, and what local lawn care professionals are charging at the moment. When you enter your address, businesses get an aerial view of your lawn from Google Maps.
\n\n\n\nUsing this information, as well as street view imagery and the square footage of your lawn, GreenPal’s lawn pros can send you a quote quickly.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal’s website states that quotes start at around $25 to $45. That claim may be a little outdated. When we tested GreenPal using a suburban Austin, Texas, lawn, we received quotes ranging from $55 to $90.
\n\n\n\nNote: GreenPal, like a lot of companies in this industry, charges an extra fee for cutting long grass.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal does not actually mow lawns or plow snow. Rather, GreenPal is a service that connects you with lawn care professionals. Think of it as an intermediary. In that regard, it more closely resembles an auction house, and your lawn care job is the item being auctioned.
\n\n\n\nWe found that requesting quotes is pretty easy with GreenPal’s app and website.
\n\n\n\nHere are the steps:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GWzdR3ztus8lAO8Lt0VO77KzdEZn_dB4ynyKowN8jHZYXL2-EbvJX-qFfSULi46uCJdQvoijNMUXgUe0d0r-6cPWfPU3s5ZHmEmWL9rqmVcxhGvDeEC4qnLv9yQ0zenitGowRMiFH4Ej9yEKgBL5bGMCRUb3l-6FDlGO1uXy5Swr_3hi-XL0sE10KlgeRA\")
![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TtJygWPtCvke6L2g1zcTVQMjSPtEdPq9dgaL4K3qi84tpEJQL6ggo_8G4ZKHKgvlZJKhQ67JNiZeSwCKZacPhhA9FvT-cJoyowOF0Me10_1j-VMgk6GOMy0LpuSczVGz06VRV4xmZzXXm96r82fjqqZq9SYpwMP9cQiR4rCpO-fXK-TRlOciE_BPy5aabQ\")
Next, you can tell the lawn care pros what other services may interest you, such as shrub pruning or re-mulching.
\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2hoQIaIIQxBjq5OLd2A1mwDqbyimClPRbXNf2f0FlnjR_oXdbM1hNqcTPBfWDV4MVIHyST4eOfIR3IJJTJWayyV6EjntFCht8LS1sfOrzadef045-LzJWdgb2XXhoZyn5ambklZrsqnK74KVlZg-G8NQvoSgU77EznhWbIaq8_6vgQiQgUMwW-ICpd7_dQ\")
Worth noting about GreenPal: How satisfied you are with your lawn care will depend on the quality and professionalism of your lawn care provider. Some customers are unhappy with the customer service at GreenPal. Other customers found the website difficult to use.
\n\n\n\nWe did notice that once you request quotes, it is difficult to go back and change the information you provided.
\n\n\n\nAlso worth noting about GreenPal: As of this writing, GreenPal does not offer services beyond lawn maintenance and snow removal. If you’re looking for landscaping or hardscaping services, GreenPal expects you to request those from the company you hire directly and only after an initial lawn mowing service.
\n\n\n\nGreenPal doesn’t offer as many services as competitors Lawn Love and LawnStarter, but here’s a closer look at how the three big players and Wikilawn.
\n\n\n\n![](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6sGkGopdP_r9k_uoEON6uF-3mslgmR-4zcpaJPfgblb81a3aBHCktXRrnDcg4crFPqAgabHESRkMdzsRuUo-ST92oGDtBejwAI2-jeruSCVPTrkZHyj2VIJ37Z8ioFYPThhSlU3SJl0UVkxktQ8nNlWhL7CqwPh-hpcx_bcjQZtuNS_3Zh1K8O6lwZ8E2g\")
| Locations | Available in most metro areas across the U.S. |
| Services offered | Lawn care, lawn maintenance, yard cleanups, snow removal |
| Customer reviews (average at the time of publication) | 4.25 |
| How it works | Your lawn mowing is put out for bid to lawn care pros near you |
| Ways to book service | Website, app or phone |
| Basic price | You’ll get multiple lawn mowing quotes from $25 to $45 |
| Year founded | 2012 |
| Based in | Nashville |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
![](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FMgGWyPHDvkGR2guu7WpE8u3k78roWKKkHZjIL-j1ds9YcMmU7RhRYMFEsdow40p1dun_yV-S0dAAfFbBXbC9ACtPcgLm98nJMl1m4_Mncenmz5OwC0GM0vkzv0_loCRveMes6XmsGLIJevTpttuoJrsF4ons5saBN_Bfsj_qu0BIThRajiVOFcmnQrYaA\")
| Locations | Available in most metro areas across the U.S. |
| Services offered | 20+ |
| Customer reviews (average at the time of publication) | 4.6 out of 5 |
| How it works | You get an instant quote, then a LawnStarter pro near you is assigned to handle your job |
| Ways to book service | Website, phone, or mobile app |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $19. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Austin, Texas |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | No |
![](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M7YPHZRMy-0KC9PSRmQ7ZPdEcqp89CrskOF3r7DaaetIr-5bPzpKqsMO65YlivvudNieJSRN09_QMhiHI4xliJ6gvfnM9vzarGGsZg3AZOcJEAk4Gr_oZ97pEC9sAXtbNlindmeDRhuVIx2V19DH0uzI0EVvOkaSeKDofINED5M544jQbYKAOdnhOXgSHg\")
| Locations | Available in most metro areas across the U.S. |
| Services offered | 10+ |
| Customer reviews (average at the time of publication) | 4.7 |
| How it works | You get an instant quote, then a Lawn Love pro near you is assigned to handle your job |
| Ways to book service | Website or phone |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and/or mowing frequency. By visiting the website, you may be offered your first mow for $24. |
| Year founded | 2014 |
| Based in | San Diego |
| Better Business Bureau accredited? | Yes |
| Locations | Available in most metro areas |
| Services offered | Lawn care, gardening, and landscaping |
| How it works | You get a quote in minutes from up to 4 professionals who can tackle your lawn care or other outdoor job. |
| Ways to book service | Website |
| Basic price | Depends on services requested and the service providers’ quotes. |
| Year founded | 2013 |
| Based in | Dallas |
GreenPal screens the lawn care companies they host on their app and website. To do this, GreenPal:
\n\n\n\nOnce GreenPal admits a company to its network, the company must maintain positive reviews to remain eligible to bid on jobs.
\n\n\n\nIf there’s a problem with your service, you can discuss it directly with the lawn care professional you hired.
\n\n\n\nYou also can log on to GreenPal and select “Problem with Your Service” to prevent your bank account from being billed and alert your pro that there’s a problem they need to fix. You won’t be charged if the lawn care professional does not come back to fix the problem.
\n\n\n\nYou can tell a lot about a company by browsing customer reviews. Customers tell you what they like, what they don’t like, and where the company can improve. Here is how GreenPal users rate their experience:
\n\n\n\nA few positive and negative customer reviews from these websites:
\n\n\n\nGreat Service: “Recently purchased this home and needed to find a lawn service. I was having trouble finding someone late in the season but found GreenPal who set me up with a great vendor. System is easy and I get great email updates. Very pleased!” – Dan P.
\n\n\n\nGood if You’re Lucky, Terrible Otherwise: “This service was recommended to me by someone that had a great experience — but that is clearly highly variable based on the vendor that you choose. If you’re thrilled with them, you likely will never have a problem. If you have a problem with your vendors your experience will be wildly different.” – Mark B.
\n\n\n\nExcellent Experience: “Great experience with this platform now for over a year. Makes locating and booking quality lawn services very easy and payment to lawn services is easy also (automatic if you want it to be).” – Jon F
\n\n\n\nProblems with Customer Service: “Lawn service a no show and no contact after waiting 5 days to have grass cut. Now it’s much longer and will cost more to cut. The GreenPal app is horrible, and has no customer service or any contact information.” – Huda A.
\n\n\n\nWhile lawn care professionals on GreenPal prefer to mow grass under 10 inches tall, some providers may offer this service. Generally, you can expect to pay double for extremely overgrown grass.
When logged into your account, you can select “Add Additional Services” to add services you’d like included with your next mowing. If the “Add Additional Services” button isn’t present, you should set up weekly or biweekly mowings before adding extra services.
No, once you’ve hired your lawn care professional, you can go about your life as usual. Your credit card or bank account will be pre-authorized for your service and will be automatically charged once your service is completed. No extra work on your part.
If what you’re looking for is basic lawn maintenance or snow removal, GreenPal makes it easy to connect with local pros and receive a variety of quotes. GreenPal’s website is straightforward and makes it simple to get started.
\n\n\n\nBut if GreenPal doesn’t feel like your pal after all, try us. At Wikilawn, choose the service you want, put in your address, and we put your job out to bid to local yard care professionals.
\n\n\n\nThe price quotes you get back will depend upon the kind of work you want done, the size of your yard, and other factors, but we cast a really wide net to ensure you get the best price possible.
\n\n\n\nFor example, you may get quotes from pros affiliated with sites like LawnStarter, HomeAdvisor/ Angi, Networx, or several other lawn care providers.
\n\n\n\nGetting your lawn care through Wikilawn may even cost you less than GreenPal.
\n\n\n\nFor example, keying in two addresses in Ocala, Florida, and Dallas, Texas, generated lawn care quotes of $69 and change for those properties. As noted above, in our GreenPal test using a suburban Austin, Texas, lawn, we received quotes ranging from $55 to $90.
\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/o41y7OZo7c75Fp6eE5HQB1wBFSkABpK7vhyHTIahO_ktkPQGHRBaEpI3c2vJUFCsy0itw_PT6gqO-xBvORR9D5I3u3eBpFGuyz_f47ey5MerRaNDxjUjJDuDcPJnTv4t8RDC2BQ5sdRAzsOn22Zv2hproZ2LPt1OZEgm0q5HJqB-lrG66asPnLRQlfy5Qw\")
A better option if you’re looking for services other than lawn care and snow removal? LawnStarter and Lawn Love offer more outdoor services in one place.
\n\n\n\nLet’s close with a shameless plug: If it’s lawn care you want, why not give us a try. You’re already here on Wikilawn. We’ll find a pro near you who will keep your grass green, healthy, and weed free.
\n\n\n\nSure, you could choose GreenPal. But why not give your pal Wikilawn a try?
\n\n\n\n\n","title":"GreenPal Full Review: Reviews, Complaints, Scams, Prices","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7796143250688705,"src":"/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/bc41c/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/107df/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/293e9/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/bc41c/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.jpg 646w","srcWebp":"/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/7328c/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/67b76/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 320w,\n/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/8df11/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 500w,\n/static/995cf14d2e7c953f20a0a4e9bb1afcfa/7328c/GreenPal-Review-for-Wikilawn-646x363-1.webp 646w","sizes":"(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"GreenPal Full Review: Reviews, Complaints, Scams, Prices | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"2baae674-4a45-56fc-869b-a30c15030ed9","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-carpenter-ants","path":"/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-carpenter-ants/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Caleb Leonard is a freelance writer and marketing professional. A graduate of the University of North Texas, his interests include gardening, podcasts, and studying Spanish.","name":"Caleb Leonard","id":"1c332919-8490-5383-95ec-6ae90855221c","path":"/author/caleb-leonard/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ac26f4a5bb894df76f4af23dd100da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c16818a6-3923-5fc7-a49b-191ac48bf4d2","name":"Blog","count":81,"path":"/category/blog/"},{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"}],"date":"November 22nd, 2022","excerpt":"Anytime you face a pest infestation, it’s a stressful situation. But when you have pests that can damage your property, that’s a whole new level of stress. Carpenter ants chew through wood in homes and yards across the country. Thankfully, we’ve got some advice on how to get rid of carpenter ants indoors and outdoors. […]
\n","content":"\nAnytime you face a pest infestation, it’s a stressful situation. But when you have pests that can damage your property, that’s a whole new level of stress. Carpenter ants chew through wood in homes and yards across the country. Thankfully, we’ve got some advice on how to get rid of carpenter ants indoors and outdoors.
\n\n\n\nIn this article we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nCarpenter ants (Camponotus) make their homes in trees and logs, easily chewing through wet wood to create their tunnels and nests. These ants come in different sizes and colors, but in North America, they mostly appear black or reddish brown.
\n\n\n\nCarpenter ants are typically between one-quarter inch and five-eighths of an inch in length, with elbowed antennae. Some carpenter ants may develop wings while the nest is swarming.
\n\n\n\nLike most ants, carpenter ants give each other directions to food and shelter by leaving behind a pheromone trail. It’s how they sneak into your kitchen or bathroom in vast numbers.
\n\n\n\nThankfully, we have some helpful tips for controlling carpenter ants in the home. Infestation sizes may vary, but following these steps in the suggested order mimics professional treatments and can save you the cost of hiring an exterminator.
\n\n\n\nThe first step to ending your carpenter ant problem is to locate the nest. Follow the ant trail or evidence of damage until you reach the nest.
\n\n\n\nSometimes these nests are difficult to find. Try thumping the wood where you suspect damage. If it sounds hollow, you’re in the right place. Thumping around the nest can excite the ants, and panicked ants may appear.
\n\n\n\nOnce you find the nest (or locate high ant activity) apply bait traps or bait gel nearby. Spread your bait around sinks, appliances, baseboards, and bathroom fixtures. The nest is usually near a source of water. Consider using a duster for a quick and even application of fine granular baits.
\n\n\n\nBaits eliminate ants by lacing their food with insecticide. When the ant takes the bait back to share it with the colony, that insecticide spreads amongst the other ants until it dethrones the queen.
\n\n\n\nNext, apply an aerosol foam to cracks, holes, and crevices. Insecticidal foams expand, making them the ideal choice for wall voids, cracks, and crevices.
\n\n\n\nAerosol foams like FiPro spread pesticides from ant to ant, infecting the entire colony. When ants come in contact with these foams, their nervous systems are affected, resulting in death.
\n\n\n\nYou can use insecticidal dust to pump pesticides into hard-to-reach places like behind sinks and inside hollow doors.
\n\n\n\nAnother option is to use diatomaceous earth (D.E.) to solve your carpenter ant problem. Just sprinkle this pesticide along the pheromone trail or near suspected entry points to your home.
\n\n\n\nDiatomaceous earth eradicates pests dehydrating their bodies. This dehydration occurs either by consumption or the proximity to D.E.
\n\n\n\nYou can use boric acid in the same manner. Boric acid takes longer to kill insects than D.E., but both are effective means of carpenter ant control. Diatomaceous earth can be used outdoors as well.
\n\n\n\nAre carpenter ants infesting the wood frame around your compost pile or chewing away at your wood deck? Similar to indoor infestations, you’ll need to find the nest and treat it with pesticides.
\n\n\n\nPerimeter treatments are advisable whether your infestation is indoors or outside. Use a non-repellent insecticide to spray wall voids, crevices, windows, eaves, and potential entry points. This will help ensure the outside infestation doesn’t migrate indoors.
\n\n\n\nSpray the insecticides in a sweeping motion 1 to 3 feet up the wall and 1 to 3 feet into the yard to create a strong barrier around your home.
\n\n\n\nAlways read and follow the instructions listed on the product label, as guidelines may vary from product to product.
\n\n\n\nRepellents are a helpful tool to rid your lawn of carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are sensitive to strong odors, and the odors will disrupt the pheromone trails they use to direct other ants.
\n\n\n\nScents like peppermint (oil), lemon, vinegar, and chili powder can keep carpenter ants away.
\n\n\n\nAdd your chosen repellant to a spray bottle and dilute it with water. Aim for a 1:1 ratio. Spray your natural repellent solution around any potential entrances to your home or in areas where you see carpenter ant activity.
\n\n\n\nJust like you would indoors, scout your yard for signs of carpenter ant activity and set up bait traps.
\n\n\n\nAnother way to rid your lawn of carpenter ants is with homemade bait. Start by mixing one-thirds sugar with two-thirds boric acid. Next, place your mixture in a small dish or bottle cap near ant trails or the nest.
\n\n\n\nBoric acid is widely available at grocery stores, pharmacies, and supercenters.
\n\n\n\nAphids and carpenter ants have a symbiotic relationship. The aphids create a food source for the ants (honeydew), and in return, the carpenter ants protect the aphids from predators. If your lawn is teeming with aphids, there’s likely a carpenter ant infestation nearby.
\n\n\n\nLuckily, aphids can be eradicated with pesticides, soapy water, neem oil, or petroleum-based horticultural oils. Once the aphid population is reduced, the ant colony will likely search for a new source of food elsewhere.
\n\n\n\nThe best way to prevent pests is to remove their food source and tidy your home and yard.
\n\n\n\nA carpenter ant infestation can happen anywhere. These ants need damp wood to make a home and a consistent food source.
\n\n\n\nCommon causes of a carpenter ant infestation include:
\n\n\n\nA carpenter ant sighting in your home doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation. It could just be a worker ant scouting out a new location for a nest. However, if you see winged carpenter ants, that means a colony is swarming and might be trying to move into your area.
\n\n\n\nSigns of an infestation in your home include:
\n\n\n\nBoth termites and carpenter ants can damage wood, leaving evidence of frass (wood shavings). Despite looking so similar and causing similar damage, they require significantly different treatment, which is why proper identification is so important. Here are some helpful tips to tell them apart:
\n\n\n\n| Carpenter Ants | Termites |
| Carpenter ants are discrete in their nest building, often unbeknownst to homeowners. | Depending on the species, termites typically cause damage out in the open. Termites also construct mud tubes that are often visible outside of the nest. |
| Carpenter ant bodies are pinched at the neck and waist. | Termite bodies have a similar thickness throughout. |
| Carpenter ants have six long legs. | Termites have six short legs. |
| Carpenter ants have elbowed antennae. | Termites have straight antennae. |
| Carpenter ants have two pairs of wings with the front wings much larger than the back wings. The wings also have fewer veins than termite wings. | Termites have two pairs of wings of equal size with many veins. |
Carpenter ants likely entered your home through cracks and crevices. They can travel across tree limbs and wires and even chew through wood to enter your home.
\n\n\n\nMonitor points of entry such as any place wires enter your home. Check your baseboards and window sills, and keep shrubs and tree limbs away from your home.
\n\n\n\nThe good news is it can take years for carpenter ants to cause notable damage, unlike termites, whose damage becomes evident in a few months.
\n\n\n\nPest infestations can be overwhelming, so there’s no shame in hiring a professional exterminator. If your carpenter ant infestation is in a difficult-to-reach location, or pest control isn’t your forte, hire a pro for the job.
Pests like carpenter ants don’t like a manicured lawn. They prefer tall grass to hide from predators. Connect with a local lawn care professional who can keep your lawn tidy and ward off outdoor pests.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Gallice / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
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