![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9IqNcFyCduPLhtXydLQzsMvScn-pJlm9pC5eS3_o0l504O--IwjvaIGm2zscr-FuDQR2pTtYQhFdtm2fAhc9fZ_13FNNMUFMjRSFK2611X1L73U49o4qQvhvjdRy8B85xkhJE3PM\")
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including those annoying bugs! These invaders often create damage to your lawn, garden, and even the structure of your home. Let’s identify the worst backyard pests in Fort Worth and look at ways to get rid of them. Mosquitoes Summer brings hot weather to the Fort Worth area and the onslaught […]
\n","content":"\nEverything’s bigger in Texas, including those annoying bugs! These invaders often create damage to your lawn, garden, and even the structure of your home. Let’s identify the worst backyard pests in Fort Worth and look at ways to get rid of them.
\n\n\n\nSummer brings hot weather to the Fort Worth area and the onslaught of mosquito season. These bloodsuckers show up during dawn and dusk..and the hours in between. Some people aren’t affected by them while others are mosquito magnets. They’re actually the deadliest creature on the planet, killing more than 700,000 people a year by transmitting diseases.
\n\n\n\nMake sure your yard is clear of any standing water that serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Add mosquito-repellant plants to your yard to help keep them away. The scent of basil, marigolds, and catnip really bugs them. Using mosquito repellant is helpful as well as electric mosquito traps that attract and kill them.
\n\n\n\nNext to mosquitoes, chiggers may be the worst backyard pest in Fort Worth. These tiny pests have plagued the DFW area forever. They hang out in tall grassy areas and fields that are prime spots for summer fun. Chiggers not only bite but also bury into the skin and hang out for a few weeks. Keep these little parasites away by keeping your lawn mowed and trimmed and use pest repellant when out in a wooded area. Shower and scrub your skin once back indoors to reduce your exposure.
\n\n\n\nFort Worth is home to both German and American Cockroaches, which can be both scary and ugly to see crawling around your house. Roaches spread disease and are quite resilient and tough to kill. Cockroaches enjoy messes and particularly greasy spots. Roaches can either live indoors, or live outdoors and opportunistically look for ways to get inside. Keeping cooking areas clean and clear of food when not in use helps. There are also sprays that will spot treat cockroach-infested areas. If these critters have invaded your space, it may be time to hire an exterminator.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qpJ6QS8B1sEJev0aFJywisOjN3S7TjWVz1Fu1jgY4PXkhdMyHCqHOawj4yeSz0bgqoMvmFgRoJVx4n1JmMFkQWsNyDSt9k4tVOmqvKYwaJBOfYL4B62ahtgNw1quGeHgU-o1Ocs_\")
Texas is home to 18 species of scorpions. The most common in San Antonio and New Braunfels is the striped bark scorpion. These yellowish-tan creatures with two dark stripes down their back are easy to spot. Like us, scorpions are looking for a cool place to spend the summer. You’ll find them hiding under rocks, logs, landscaping materials, and in dark corners of your home during the day. Like the black widow, they come out at night searching for food. Their stings are rarely deadly, but they are painful and can cause muscle spasms and burning sensations.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YTYS3ENQEMyrnreD8fi4XLghZjdPV5Wvh4aVkjiA0vf9PwoOx2vgzCbXV1pTxKtV9QT-vMRbFsfcEbv-hh_1GMU7vMiAuhrqSg_jvFXBbMXR67J6PjrxSFwMkwqEo961tn4ibDdZ\")
Fire ants can be lethal to small pets and kids. Their bite is extremely painful. These are the worst backyard pests in Fort Worth for anyone who enjoys walking barefoot across the lawn. They’re attracted to pets, people and electrical wiring. They’ve cost some cities hundreds of thousands in repairs. Steer clear of any ant mounds in the yard, and treat them with fire ant killer as soon as possible. The workers will take the granules back to their queen, but keep in mind, some colonies have several queens, so it may take several treatments.
\n\n\n\nThere are plenty of pests that plague Texas yards, but only a few of them will really bug you. Keep in mind, regular mowing and lawn maintenance will make your yard less inviting to the worst backyard pests in Fort Worth.
\n\n\n\nWant to learn more about lawn care and maintenance in Fort Worth? Check out our Fort Worth, TX lawn care page.
Some weeds always seem to grow faster than the grass. In a sense, those weeds are doing you a favor, since it makes them easier to spot and get rid of. It’s the invaders that are tough to spot that can make themselves at home and ruin your green lawn. You can control the worst […]
\n","content":"\nSome weeds always seem to grow faster than the grass. In a sense, those weeds are doing you a favor, since it makes them easier to spot and get rid of. It’s the invaders that are tough to spot that can make themselves at home and ruin your green lawn. You can control the worst weeds in Fort Worth, as long as you know how to identify them. Here are the ones to watch out for:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tXPB9QgCyNHWO1RCTQrSiTsjNNYvZTm2RIiL8fGbMEt3ZGQOacY0yCJN4DSwhd9L9vqeJATk34eYvYbHrvfxF_BDmwfVBao7OqbLKxgtj2igT7CcTtwMtIHtCAUOv8cCq044xhIv\")
This is a grassy weed that likes to disguise itself as turfgrass, but it’s an ugly addition to any Fort Worth lawn. This weed likes to establish itself in compacted areas of your yard. It grows in a rounded shape and spreads out much like crabgrass. Goosegrass is hard to kill, and your mower may have a tough time with its thick, coarse leaves. Aerating your lawn in the spring and at the end of summer will discourage the weed from establishing. Once it settles in, spot treat areas with an herbicide, being careful not to damage the lawn.
\n\n\n\nThis sneaky weed looks a lot like grass, but you can identify it by looking at the stem. Nutsedge sprouts three thick stems from the same spot, and you need to dig up the entire nut underneath the plant to get rid of it. Nutsedge does its best to disguise itself as grass but can become an issue in Fort Worth lawns. Digging up each seed pod can be tiresome, but it is the only way to get rid of it.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SOP83d9Blur4o_jb8DF_ClD5HkLGwy5CVYRdhXo7f_XenDOLXCj3tJqyVf3fk8tn7ZJ-bAOBG_4ECa6YknDRFc4ZVtPR-y6PwCyjG-ecCaf0RikF-sqYgmAnNQD0x_Wr2e0uVCtv\")
This edible weed features rounded red stems that are quick to spread throughout the lawn. Purslane, also known as the Dolly Parton weed, blooms from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-summer to early fall. This worst weed in Fort Worth can quickly spread through seeds and root division, making it hard to eradicate if unnoticed.
\n\n\n\n![\"Thistle,](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Gyx61nDAKL6ymEiSjd_8swWW1LjY54Ys9hgvXvdilkKrEcR4LSz0Ce1QP-GeOJGpuXgBFMCDjwtepnMXl2gfe3ou_ttwTIAVc2ici5WDVgFgyc3FU-nPr3lLAOhYHUEQhHMlGJcF\")
For those Fort Worth homeowners with small children, Thistle can be especially worrisome. This spiky weed features leaves covered in prickly spikes which can pierce the skin. Thistle is easy to spot when mature, but also requires thick gloves when removing it from the lawn. Herbicide can also be helpful once the weed starts to spread.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jjhmjjqPwNRmWtRRnVf75brJjWzS7U-V6EVv-mrWhOKggJssJ2P9JpA6hdoqU4pnwF9SKc_MUYUXxUJrs4f2XG6FWxekxiHkaYYbtQWOOlrbOn9cu0Je4rTAUmPWuR0lQGXOo2tG\")
This unique weed looks like a delicate flowering plant, but lambsquarters is one of the worst weeds in Fort Worth lawns. It spreads fast and easy and can take over the garden if not controlled. Its green, oval leaves have a white powder coating, making it easy to spot. Native Americans and some Texans eat this weed, but you need to be cautious. Lamsquarters bears a resemblance to the toxic silverleaf nightshade weed. One big difference? The silverleaf nightshade has thorny stems. A pre-emergent herbicide will stop this weed from seeding. Once it germinates, you’ll need to apply a post-emergent.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll find these and of course, crabgrass growing in your Fort Worth yard this year. Checking the lawn on a regular basis, especially between mowings, will help you identify and treat the worst weeds in the Fort Worth area.
\n\n\n\nWant to learn more about lawn care and maintenance in Fort Worth? Check out our Fort Worth, TX lawn care page.
Water is our most precious resource. That’s why the city of Fort Worth has implemented year-round water restrictions limiting the amount we use. This comes at a time when many drought-prone areas are imposing similar restrictions. The city’s don’t want us to stop watering, just to water smartly. You can do that by familiarizing yourself […]
\n","content":"\nWater is our most precious resource. That’s why the city of Fort Worth has implemented year-round water restrictions limiting the amount we use. This comes at a time when many drought-prone areas are imposing similar restrictions. The city’s don’t want us to stop watering, just to water smartly. You can do that by familiarizing yourself with the water restrictions in Fort Worth.
\n\n\n\nFort Worth has implemented a twice a week smart watering system. This means you can water your yard and garden twice a week, but only on certain days.
\n\n\n\nThe water restrictions in Fort Worth also prohibit you from watering while it’s raining. Allowing your sprinkler to water the sidewalks and gutters is also a big no-no. Damaged sprinkler heads that lead to wasted water can also net you a fine.
\n\n\n\nAs of June 1, 2007, any irrigation system installed in the Fort Worth area must include rain and freeze sensors. This prevents automatic sprinklers from turning on when mother nature is watering for us. Before installing a new irrigation system, or retrofitting an old one, you must get a permit. And all commercial irrigation systems must have a sensor and be inspected annually.
\n\n\n\nThere are a few instances where the Twice A Week Smart Watering System does not apply:
\n\n\n\nViolating the City of Fort Worth’s regulations could cost you up to $2,000 for each offense, and each day you’re in violation counts as a separate offense. The city may even go a step further by locking in-ground irrigation systems for homeowners who break the rules. In addition to the fine, there’s a hefty fee to remove the lock-out device on your meter.
\n\n\n\nDo you have more questions about lawn care in Fort Worth? Check out our Fort Worth, TX, lawn care page.
\n","title":"Water Restrictions in Fort Worth, Texas","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5058823529411764,"src":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/38a09/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg","srcSet":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/107df/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 320w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/293e9/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 500w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/38a09/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 640w","srcWebp":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/80c34/sprinklers-in-garden.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/67b76/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 320w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/8df11/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 500w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/80c34/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 640w","sizes":"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Water Restrictions in Fort Worth, Texas | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"It's tough to fathom when we'll see the next drought in Texas. Wade through the current water restictions for Fort worth and the fines for violating them."}}},{"node":{"id":"f6b8f9c4-eb28-52c6-b216-03bf7dabc6df","slug":"native-plants-fort-worth","path":"/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/native-plants-fort-worth/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jill Ramone is a landscaper who specializes in designing sustainable yards for busy homeowners. She prides herself on using eco-friendly products to control weeds and pests.","name":"Jill Ramone","id":"4c71091e-0a16-561f-8bdf-528214955c18","path":"/author/jillramone/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0caf6c31bc9563a294dd509633a793c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"9ccd5174-167e-5379-890b-68ac830ec905","name":"Forth Worth","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 12th, 2019","excerpt":"Choosing these native plants for a Fort Worth garden is a way to support the environment while saving yourself work.
\n","content":"\nCreating a landscape that’s both easy to care for as well as beautiful is easy in North Texas. Plenty of plants call the Fort Worth area home, and you’ll find them in both natural areas as well as cultivated gardens. Choosing native plants for Fort Worth garden is a way to support the environment while saving yourself work. Check out these native plants for Fort Worth that will flourish in your backyard.
\n\n\n\nAny way you pronounce it (and Texans pronounce it with a soft “ahn” at the end), the pecan tree is the state tree of Texas. This native tree features beautiful green foliage and plenty of those delicious nuts. Pecan trees can grow up to 100 feet tall, and live to be quite old. This member of the hickory family is a staple in the area and would make a great addition to any North Texas home. It can spread wider than other native trees, so make sure that you have enough room to house this beauty for years to come.
\n\n\n\n![\"Hummingbird](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/hummingbird-bush-1024x713.jpeg\")
Also known as the Mexican flame, the hummingbird bush is a Texas native and a magnet for pollinators. This bush features bright red blooms that accentuate any Fort Worth garden. The long tubular flower allows hummingbirds to reach the nectar. Plant the hummingbird bush in drier parts of the garden or along rocky slopes. Placing this beautiful bush near a window or outdoor living space will create up close and personal viewings of the many hummingbirds that will flock to this plant.
\n\n\n\nThere are many different kinds of coneflowers, or echinacea, available in local garden centers all around the Fort Worth area. You’ll find different leaf structures, but all include a beautiful seed head that points towards the sky. Coneflowers are quite popular, for their robust stance against heat and drought. These lovely blooms will continue on for months and attract a wide variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. Plant coneflowers along a walkway or in a cluster to add both color and vibrancy to the yard.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vrIgK5EFEKyKcFZdbxDFjSTwoAoMmf76p0dPAK_O7x6AeDydSobidtNx6JkZ91vfAld3I1j7WRSX6ZML-8J7IUNMAAV9bTxAHY5sibhgzTDH35XuhIn18LN1Pzgq7gyH-cG_nVn7\")
There is nothing quite like the stunning color of the purple berries that form on the American beautyberry bush. This native plant will grow to around 5 feet tall in favorable soil conditions. The striking clusters of bright purple berries form along the branches of the plant. The berries attract a wide variety of birds. Unfortunately, deer like to eat its large oval-shaped leaves. We recommend planting this native in a spot where you can enjoy the beautiful colors as well as the birds that will flock to it.
\n\n\n\nMany different species of yucca are native to the Fort Worth area. You’ll find Yucca plants all over in various shades and styles. This hardy plant loves hot Texas weather and is extremely drought tolerant. It can grow in a variety of soil conditions and requires little to no maintenance once established. Mix yucca in with other native plants in your landscape or in a xeriscaped area that features drought-resistant plants.
\n\n\n\nUsing native plants in your landscape will add natural beauty and keep you from having to sweat it out in the yard maintaining the garden. Consider adding any or all of these native plants to your Fort Worth garden this year.
Have more questions about lawn mowing and maintenance in Fort Worth? We got you covered! Go to our Fort Worth, TX lawn care page.
\n","title":"Native Plants for Fort Worth","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/1789c/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/107df/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.jpg 320w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/293e9/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.jpg 500w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/f2cbb/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.jpg 800w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/1789c/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.jpg 960w","srcWebp":"/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/1dd6e/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/67b76/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.webp 320w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/8df11/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.webp 500w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/98a65/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.webp 800w,\n/static/0df228058728749ffc726122b5386b4a/1dd6e/Ft-Worth-coneflower-3521669_960_720.webp 960w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Native Plants for Fort Worth | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"How does your garden grow? If you've planted native plants, it flourishes without much work or water. Check out our list of native plants for Fort Worth."}}},{"node":{"id":"3163ae33-24fa-539d-a4ae-42162d441c6a","slug":"lawn-mowing-maintenance-fort-worth","path":"/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/lawn-mowing-maintenance-fort-worth/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"9ccd5174-167e-5379-890b-68ac830ec905","name":"Forth Worth","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 8th, 2019","excerpt":"Fort Worth has something to make everyone smile – plentiful sunshine, a square-jawed Western heritage, taco and barbecue joints everywhere and museums and universities galore. And lawns. Lots of lawns that need mowing watering and trimming. Here’s a guide to how to keep your Fort Worth lawn happy so you can spend more time on […]
\n","content":"\nFort Worth has something to make everyone smile – plentiful sunshine, a square-jawed Western heritage, taco and barbecue joints everywhere and museums and universities galore.
\n\n\n\nAnd lawns. Lots of lawns that need mowing watering and trimming. Here’s a guide to how to keep your Fort Worth lawn happy so you can spend more time on it, and more time enjoying the 13th-largest city in the United States.
\n\n\n\nFort Worth likes you to keep up the appearance of your lawn. In fact, it insists, in the form of a code compliance office that will issue you a notice if your grass is taller than 12 inches. Properties overgrown with high grass and weeds are not just unsightly, the city says, but “they pose a fire hazard, block visibility for driers, harbor rodents and snakes and contribute to pests like mosquitoes and chiggers.”
\n\n\n\nIgnore the notice for more than 10 days and the city will send out a crew to cut it for you. The cost: $250, payable within 30 days. Failure to pay can result in a lien being placed against the property.
\n\n\n\nIf your neighbor’s grass gets too high, the city makes it easy to file a complaint online.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass are the most common grasses for lawns in Fort Worth. Zoysia varieties are also making their mark.
\n\n\n\nIn the mood for something more exotic? Texas-bred native grasses based on buffalograss have great drought tolerance, though the appearance is scruffily untraditional. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth is one of many buildings experimenting with a buffalograss blend.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses such as the ones that thrive in Fort Worth have their heaviest growth in the summer, so you’ll want to keep to a regular mowing schedule then. If you’re doing the job yourself in the 90+ degree heat, keep your mower blades sharp to prevent shredding that could injure your lawn.
\n\n\n\nMowing heights for different grass varieties are as follows:
\n\n\n\nIn the past, the typical practice was to remove lawn clippings and have them hauled to the landfill. That’s no longer the case, as lawn clippings are now seen as an important source of fertilizer for the lawn. On a typical lawn, leaving the clippings in place to decompose and return nitrogen to the soil for a full season added enough nutrients for you to skip one round of fertilization.
\n\n\n\nFort Worth’s climate is on the hot side, with average highs in the mid-90s in July and August. Expect about 40 inches of rain, with May, June and October the wettest months. That leaves a lot of hot, dry days in the mid to late summer in between, when your lawn will want a deep drink of water. But you’ll need to follow the city’s watering restrictions, imposed year-round to conserve the resource. Lawn irrigation by sprinkler or irrigation system is banned from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Penalties are stiff for violation: up to $2,000 for each offense.
\n\n\n\nBe polite and don’t mow too early or too late. The city has a noise ordinance. While it does not mention lawn mowers or leaf blowers specifically, it does bar “unreasonable noise,” especially at night.
\n\n\n\n
Have more questions about lawn mowing and maintenance in Fort Worth? We got you covered! Go to our Fort Worth, TX lawn care page for more information.