Each spring, we get several calls about moles and voles and turf damage caused by these pests. While the name ‘mole’ sounds very similar to the name ‘vole’ – the two are quite different animals. Even though both can damage your turf, it is important to understand their differences and the different methods needed to eradicate them.

The East­ern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most numerous and widespread, and is responsible for most of the complaints concerning mole damage to lawns and gardens.

Moles are not rodents. They belong to the group of mammals known as insectivores, and thus are related to the shrew. Eastern moles have pointed snouts, greatly enlarged, rounded front feet with stout claws, and a short, nearly naked tail. They are six to eight inches long with short, velvety fur that is usually gray to silvery-gray. The eyes and ears of moles are very small and are concealed in the fur.

It is a common misconception that treating a lawn for grubs will prevent an infestation of moles. Moles feed primarily on earthworms, but may also feed on spiders, beetles, centipedes, grubs and other insect larvae or pupae.

Moles make two types of underground burrows:

1. Shallow surface runs, which they use to find food. These tunnels leave create pushed up ridges as the mole “swims” through the loose topsoil. While these surface tunnels may be used frequently at first, they are eventually allowed to collapse, leaving a cracked depression in the lawn.
2. Deep burrows are also created as the mole’s main home. The deep burrow is marked by volcano-shaped mounds of dirt that the moles push up when digging.

During their burrowing activities, they produce mounds and ridges that disfigure lawns and sometimes dislodge plants or injure plant roots. Their mounds also provide a medium for the germination of weed seeds.

Moles’ tunneling can cause cracks in concrete sidewalks and can even affect your foundation. Long-term damage can also be extensive. Moles are exceptional diggers and can tunnel up to 12-15 ft per hour. This can cause deep tunnels that can sink your entire soil level or cause large sunken areas in your lawn.

Gophers are burrowing rodents and members of the zoological family Geomyidae. The designation “pocket” before the word gopher refers to the pockets in the gopher’s cheeks which are used by the gopher to carry food, nesting materials and other small supplies into their tunnels.

Your Quality Care technician can place mole baits in the runs to kill the moles and keep save your lawn from potential damage. Please call the Quality Care office for more information.

 Again, the Iowa State Extension office can provide you with alternatives to our bait-method of mole control. Their phone number is 319-337-2145. We highly recommend such alternative methods for dog owners- particularly for breeds that are likely to dig baits out of the runs.

Our friends at the University of Missouri Extension have additional information on Controlling Nuisance Moles if you are interested.

Voles are true rodents, and belong to the order Rodentia and family Arvicolidae . The word vole refers to “field”– earlier uses of the word were used as vole-mouse, and eventually became simply voles. People often refer to voles as meadow mice, or “field mice”.

Voles are of pest significance in turf and landscaped areas for two reasons:

1. They tunnel and burrow in turf areas
2. They gnaw on the trunks and roots of various trees and ornamental plants
   

   In general, voles are compact rodents with stocky bodies, short legs, and short tails. Their eyes are small and their ears partially hidden. They usually are black, brown or gray, though many color variations exist. The adult vole ranges from 3.5 to 5 inches in length and weighs 1 to 2.5 ounces.

Voles are herbivores. The stems and leaves of grasses comprise the majority of their diet, but they will also consume other green vegetation and fruits. Voles do not hibernate and are active throughout the year. During severe winters and snow cover, when green vegetation is scarce, voles often burrow around the roots of trees, which may cause damage to trees and shrubs. Voles are active during dawn and dusk, but may be seen active during the day and night as well.

Vole runways in turf are formed by a combination of the vole eating the grass blades, and the constant traveling over the runway. Voles also spread excavated dirt from the burrow system in the runway, resulting in a dirt-bare path in some areas.

One of the major keys to managing voles is to realize that, in many cases, voles are associated with dense cover. Inspections should begin along building exteriors. First inspect the immediate landscaping outside of the building looking for runways leading from any dense areas cutting through turf. Landscape plantings with low-lying plants such as arborvitae, creeping yews, junipers, and similar species are good candidates for vole activity.

By eliminating weeds and dense ground cover around lawns the capacity of these areas to support voles is reduced. Lawn and turf should be mowed regularly.

The meadow vole constructs well-defined, visible surface runways through turf areas, measuring about 1.5-2 in./4-5cm. in width. It is the sight of these paths that cause concern in March and April.

For more information about Voles, please read this article from Purdue.

Most homeowners know what services are necessary for good Cedar Rapids lawn care: proper mowing, aeration, overseeding, adequate hydration and fertilizer. Aeration is one of the most beneficial Cedar Rapids lawn care services, especially if you live in an area that experiences episodes of little to no rainfall. Aerating your Cedar Rapids lawn will allow the water from your irrigation system to reach the grass roots directly and be immediately absorbed. However, even though aeration ensures that your Cedar Rapids lawn and soil are manipulated, you should go one step further and also have your soil periodically tested by a Cedar Rapids lawn care professional.

A soil test is a fairly simple procedure and many Cedar Rapids lawn care companies offer the service for free in conjunction with their Cedar Rapids lawn care programs. The Cedar Rapids lawn care technician will take a small soil sample and have it sent to a lab. A qualified soil expert will examine the sample and look at the pH level (acidity); the presence or absence of such macronutrients as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; the presence or absence of such micronutrients as iron, calcium, zinc, boron, manganese, copper and other nutrients that deter weed growth and enhance the Cedar Rapids lawn’s resistance to insect and disease infestations; the soil type, which can help your Cedar Rapids lawn care technician create a preventative plan to reduce the incidence of compaction; and levels of decomposed plant material, also known as thatch.

Once the results are back, your Cedar Rapids lawn care specialists can consult with you on what the best plan of action is regarding your Cedar Rapids lawn care regimen. To schedule a soil analysis, call your local Cedar Rapids lawn care company today.

At Quality Care, our staff and technicians are what some call “pet people.” We love our dogs and cats (and assorted gold fish and other pets too!)  But we are aware that sometimes they can leave “spots,” and no, not the kind you find on your average Dalmatian.

A pristine, evenly green lawn is a human invention that our pets have difficulty understanding.  The brown spots caused by their urine are simply the result of too much nitrogen concentrated in a small area.  You can recognize pet spots or burn spots by a small crater of brown grass surrounded by a ring of overly-green grass.

Urine damage has nothing to do with acid, so canine dietary supplements that alter the urine’s pH have no effect on pet spots.  For this same reason, lime treatments tend to be ineffective at treating or reducing burn spots caused by pet urine.

Female dogs do not have more potent urine than males, but female dogs (and puppies) do tend to “squat” and concentrate their urine in one small spot.

Watering the lawn will help flush excess nitrogen from concentrated areas and reduce the damage done by pet spots.

Create a dog run, or fenced area on your property that is in a low-visibility part of your lawn.  You can also train your pet to use a mulched area for their bathroom needs.

Our friends at Purdue Extension have some great tips for pet owners who want to keep their lawns looking healthy and green!  Animal Urine Damage In Turf (PDF)

 . . . . And as always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding lawn applications or mole bates, please contact our friendly office staff for more information.

Be safe this winter

Don’t let an icy sidewalk bring you down.

We have received some calls and emails regarding the icy conditions out there. We appreciate being recognized as the experts and we want to share our knowledge with you!

There are so dizzying number of different kinds of ice melt available and it can be difficult deciding which one is best.

Like anything you would buy at the store, you should always read the label and look for the #1 ingredient.  Each of these has its benefits and disadvantages.

Some brands may include colored crystals and the size of the salt crystals may be finer in some brands than others.  Additionally, salt is a common element in nature, so you do not need to look for “natural” ice melt, simply choose the brand with the fewest additives. 

As always, if you have questions and would like to speak with one of our friendly and professional staff members, we are only an email or call away!

While our crews are busy with snow and ice management, we keep in mind these world records to keep us warm!

Antarctica is the coldest place on earth (kind of a no-brainer here) with the coldest reported temperature being -89.4 C (or) -129 F.

The coldest place in North America is Snag, the Yukon Territory of Canada with a recorded temperature of -81.4 F on February 3, 1947.

The world’s largest snowflake was 38 cm wide and 20cm thick and was found at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887.

The most snowfall within 24 hours in the U.S. was 63 inches and occurred in Georgetown, Colorado on December 4, 1913.

The first frost in autumn will be exactly six months after the first thunderstorm of spring.

Nature gives us a few signs to let us know how cold winter will be:

• Animals have thicker coats of  hair or fur.
• Squirrels build their nests low in trees and gather nuts early.
• Ants build their mounds high.
• Larger numbers of spiders are seen in the fall.
• A heavy crop of berries are found on holly and dogwood trees.
• Birds are seen migrating early or huddling on the ground.
• Woolly worms have heavy coats and they have a wide black band.

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating;

there is no such thing as bad weather, just different kinds of good weather.

~ John Ruskin

Lawn care involves many steps, but perhaps none is as important as proper hydration. After all, a Cedar Rapids lawn cannot grow without water. Adequately hydrating your Cedar Rapids lawn is not an exact science, but it is close. The best plan is to install a sprinkler system that ensures your Cedar Rapids lawn is watered every day at the same time. Sprinkler systems with a timer are even more ideal, but you still have several options there. Lawn care specialists highly recommend pulsating sprinklers for the best results.

Pulsating sprinkler systems spray water into the air and allow the water to fall back down to the ground in a fine mist. There are five different types of pulsating sprinklers: impulse, traveling, stationary, oscillating and rotary. Impulse sprinklers are the top choice of Cedar Rapids lawn care professionals who need to water a larger area such as an entire landscape or vast Cedar Rapids lawn.

It is important to know if you have high or low water pressure, as that also factors in to which type of pulsating sprinkler you choose for your Cedar Rapids lawn care needs. If you have low water pressure, an H-base is a better choice than a spike-based sprinkler which is better suited for high pressure.

Pulsating sprinklers have the benefit of being designed with gusty winds in mind, as well as low-hanging trees or tall shrubs. The height of the water spray can be adjusted accordingly and since the water is typically sprayed close to the ground, its spray is unaffected by the wind.

If you think a pulsating sprinkler may be beneficial to your Cedar Rapids lawn, contact your local Cedar Rapids lawn care company. Many Cedar Rapids lawn care providers also install irrigation systems, especially since proper hydration makes their job that much easier!

Mowing might seem like the simplest of lawn care tasks, but it is actually quite important to know how to properly mow your lawn to ensure the best results. Over-mowing or mowing at the wrong times or height can have detrimental effects on your lawn. Here are some lawn care tips on proper mowing procedures.

Most lawns are dormant during the winter months, so once spring rolls around, it is time to drag the mower out and get back into the routine. But when you should begin mowing? Lawn care technicians recommend keeping the mower stored away until the ground is thoroughly thawed. Once the ground is soft, that means that grass is growing and mowing it will not cause any damage to the crowns or the shoots.

Most people know that allowing the excess clippings to remain on the lawn is beneficial because as the clippings deteriorate, they become natural fertilizer for the soil below. However, for the first few cuts, attach the bag and gather the clippings. Allow your lawn to grow and breathe without the weight of clippings on top of it.

Lawn care professionals recommend mowing your lawn at a slightly shorter height than you may typically have your mower set. If you normally mow at three inches, take it down to two. This will allow your lawn better stimulation to get the season started off right.

If you have any questions about spring mowing, contact your local lawn care professionals.

During the winter we prepare for harsh weather by piling on layers of clothing and wearing heavy coats, gloves, hats and scarves; unfortunately, not many people think about how the living things in their yards and gardens react to the cold.  Trees and shrubs are vulnerable to cold weather just like we are.  If new growth in the early  Fall doesn’t have enough time to harden off, experts say the sudden drop in temperatures can create ice crystals that can rupture cell walls, resulting in dead branch tips and branches.

Officials at a state cooperative extension service say one of the biggest problems for trees and shrubs is the sharp temperature change from day into night during the winter.  They say that dramatic change can actually freeze the water in the trunks of trees, causing them to explode or split open.  That reaction is called frost cracking.  Sometimes these cracks can close when warm weather returns, if the damage isn’t that severe.  Many shrubs can suffer from something similar, called bark split.  Extension service officials say those particularly susceptible are many cultivars of evergreen azaleas.  In most cases plants close over the cracks with no treatment necessary.

During this winter there are some things you can do to protect your trees and shrubs.  You can wrap the trunks with burlap strips or commercial tree wrap.  Experts also recommend painting the trunks white or shading them with a board to prevent bark splitting.  These methods reflect sunlight and reduce temperature fluctuations, like the buildup of heat during the day, that cause splitting.  All wraps should be removed after one season to stop insect or moisture damage.

Inspect Your Furnace or Heating System

• Change the air filter in your furnace and check its efficiency before the cold weather begins. Air filters should be changed every month. Also, remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.
• Call in an HVAC contractor to test the heating output and give the system a tune-up.
• If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.

Seal Leaky Windows and Doors

• Check your windows for any leaks that may compromise your heating efficiency. If you feel cold air coming in, purchase a plastic sealing kit from the hardware store and place the plastic around the window to keep the heat from escaping.
• Be sure to check your doors as well, Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home. If weatherstripping is damaged, it’s usually easiest and most effective to entirely replace it rather than try to repair it.
• If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields and caulking windows.
• Generally, if you can slide a coin between your siding and the frame of a window or door, you need to reapply exterior caulk. Don’t forget to check the joints of your window and door frames too!

Prepare your Chimney or Fireplace

• Make sure your fireplace (or any heating appliance burning gas, oil, wood or coal), chimney and vents are clean and in good repair. That will prevent chimney fires and prevent carbon monoxide from creeping into your home.
• If you will be using the fireplace often, call a chimney sweep for an inspection.
• Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
• Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing. Check the mortar between bricks and tuckpoint, if necessary.
• Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.

Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

• It’s best to inspect and clean the gutters a few times during the fall, especially if there are many leafy trees around your house. If gutters remain clogged, water will spill over them and onto the ground next to the foundation, which may cause damage to the foundation.
• Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean and should direct water away from the foundation, as well as from walkways and driveways, so that they do not become slippery or icy. Add extensions to your downspouts to drain water at least 3 to 4 feet away from foundations.
• Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

Reverse Ceiling Fans and Set Thermostats

• If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, use it to run the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction after you turn on your heat. Energy Star says the fan will produce an updraft and push down into the room heated air from the ceiling (remember, hot air rises).
• This is especially helpful in rooms with high ceilings — and it might even allow you to turn down your thermostat by a degree or two for greater energy savings
• A programmable thermostat can help lower your energy costs by allowing you to set your house at a lower temperature during the day while you are away and at night.

Turn Off Exterior Faucets and Drain Air Conditioning Pipes

• Undrained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets. If practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the section of pipe just inside the house.
• Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
• Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.

Store Your Mower and Other Outdoor Items

• Empty out unused fuel from any gas-powered equipment stored in the garage, such as a lawnmower, because sediment can build up and clog the fuel lines. As the mower sits through the winter, fuel remaining in its engine will decompose, “varnishing” the carburetor and causing difficulty when you try to start the engine in the spring.
• Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment and patio furniture
• The Temperature Controlled Storage at Quality Care Storage makes storing your patio furniture, bicycles, motorcycles, and other warm weather items both easy and convenient. Call 319-338-6155 for more information.

 Service Your Winter Weather Equipment

• Service or tune-up snow blowers.
• Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
• Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.

When your Cedar Rapids lawn needs fertilized, the best solution is to contact your local Cedar Rapids lawn care company and have the professionals attend to the task. However, if you’re one of those do-it-yourselfers, then there is some research to be done on the subject. Not all fertilizers are the same, so you should decide which fertilizer is right for your Cedar Rapids lawn, how much should be applied, when it should be applied, as well as what to do to ensure the application is successful. If you’re using granule fertilizer, you will want to look into purchasing a spreader to disseminate the fertilizer evenly.
There are generally two types of spreaders: drop spreaders and broadcast spreaders. Broadcast spreaders are particularly advantageous for those who have a large Cedar Rapids lawn to cover. However, if the area you’re fertilizing is small, a drop spreader might be more ideal.
Whereas broadcast spreaders fling the fertilizer in every direction, drop spreaders are more focused, releasing the fertilizer directly underneath the device through the hopper. This means you have to make certain you have covered that area thoroughly, or else you could have some areas of your Cedar Rapids lawn growing wildly while other sections barely look alive. Another downfall to using a drop spreader is the risk of over-fertilizing your Cedar Rapids lawn; applying fertilizer is a very delicate balance and if you apply too much fertilizer, you run the risk of frying your Cedar Rapids lawn.
If this sounds like too much of a hassle or you’re not particularly good at staying within the lines, your best option is to contact your local professional Cedar Rapids lawn care company and leave the fertilizing to them. Sometimes having a beautiful, successful Cedar Rapids lawn means leaving it up to the pros!