Lawn info for pets

[Meemoo]

Gee..wish I could use this info...but no lawn for us...that's NYC apartment living for ya! Oh well..maybe someone else here could gain info from this.

Keeping pests off pets starts in the lawn

01:52 PM CDT on Friday, May 7, 2004


By SHAWN MESSONNIER



Dear Dr. Shawn: I'm interested in using a natural approach to pest control this year. I really don't have time to apply products to my lawn and garden. When I call lawn services for help, they can only recommend chemicals. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: While many owners have the time and ability to apply the natural treatments I recommend (diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes, citrus oil, etc.), some owners are too busy to carry out a regular program. Most traditional lawn and garden services use conventional chemicals. Unfortunately, these add to the toxicity of our yards and gardens. Thankfully, some companies are realizing the benefits of a natural approach to pest control, lawn and garden weed control, and fertilization. One company that I found on the Internet is NaturaLawn of America. This company is nationwide; you can find a local branch by going to www.naturlawn.com. NaturaLawn uses natural compounds for pest control. These natural compounds are called biological controls, which are living materials that attack and limit various pests that can hurt your lawn and garden or infest your pet. These biological controls include beneficial nematodes, Bacillus and Milky Spore, as well as neem oil extract, natural pyrethrums and fatty acid-derived insecticidal soaps. These natural compounds are preferred to manmade chemicals, which can kill beneficial soil organisms and can harm pets.

The nice thing about this company is that they can use chemicals on a limited basis when necessary. For example, if you have a pest or weed problem, using chemicals on a limited basis may be needed for quick control of the problem; a more natural approach can be done for long-term control.

I appreciate that you recognize that treating the environment is critical (and actually more important) than simply treating the pet, as most of the pests that infest dogs and cats live in your yard and your house. However, don't forget that controlling fleas and ticks on your pet is important, and the natural approach works great. The earlier you start to work on pest control, the less likely you'll have problems

[quavec]

Thanks! Our lawn is just starting to fill in and we used a substandard sod so we have LOTS of weeds etc! Since we got Cricket, I've prohibited hubby from using anything! It is getting frustrating mowing weeds! I am going to look into this!

[Orchid Crazy]

Check out www.gardenweb.com and look on their lawn care forum. Tons of info available on natural choices for lawn care. Just because you don't want to go the Scotts route (which is totally unhealthy not just for your family and your pets, but the soil as well), doesn't mean you have to get stuck with a lawn full of weeds.

We have been organic for a few years now. On occassion we do use chemicals, only as needed and where needed if all else fails. Organics may require a bit more effort, but after a few years you get the benefits of a healthy soil feeding a beautiful lush lawn. Not only that, but you can play safely on it as well.

Be careful with many of these "Natural" companies. Many of them sound organic but only use an organic based program, partially organic or just some of their programs are organic but very expensive.

Educate yourself! There are so many alternatives out there. In fact, you have one in your house most likely every day. Coffee grounds can be sprinkled on your lawn and are a super cheap fertilizer. Starbucks around the country will provide you with all the free coffee grounds you want.

Read up, get a soil test to know what your particular conditions warrant and then go from there. Happy growing!

[Juneysmom]

Won't puppies get sick from eating the coffee grounds?

I heard that boiling hot water poured onto the weeds and at their base will kill the weeds. Haven't tried that.

[TessieMom]

Interesting site.

[Meemoo]

Coffee grounds are a no-no. Not good at all for any animal to ingest.

[Orchid Crazy]

Never thought about Buddy eating the coffee grounds - he doesn't bother with them. But then, I actually use them mainly in my flower beds, but they can be used as fertilizer. And yes, boiling water will kill weeds, and grass and anything it touches.

When we moved into our home, it was an 18 year old mess of unattended, overgrown plants and a lawn in horrid shape from years of chemlawn. We took over, ripped out most of what was here, not too much of the original landscaping is left. I now have flower beds, bees, birds, ornamental plants, you name it, as well as a lawn that is mostly lush and fairly weed free. It used to be mor than 1/2 crabgrass. Through a LOT of elbow grease as well as organics, w have truly transformed our property. I did most of our weed pulling through the use of an EXCELLENT (and cheap) product called a weed hound, readily available at Home Depot.

[Meemoo]

weed hound..and they also have a POOP hound...for those interested...:eek:

http://www.hound-dog.com/weed_hound.htm

[kpm_tex]

FYI Dr. Shawn is a vet in Plano, Texas... his practice is called Paws & Claws

[Meemoo]

vet who writes newsletters and has written books too. He has some great information.

[lotsadox]

I'm lucky to have a guy that does natural pest control here in Houston. He'll do nematodes and does flea control also. He's great!