Page 8 Fall Home Improvement 2025 Lincoln Daily News Fall Lawn Care Leave the Leaves Summer’s intensity is giving way to crisp autumn days, and homeowners have a golden opportunity to restore and strengthen their lawns. Fall is more than just a season of rakes and pumpkins; it’s the ideal time to prepare grass for the months ahead while balancing healthy ecosystems and smart pest management. Conventional lawn products often lean on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides that promise quick xes but can have hidden costs. The University of Illinois warns that these chemicals can leach into groundwater, disrupt soil life, and harm bene cial insects. A shift toward natural soil care—through mulching, aeration, and selective overseeding—encourages healthier turf that resists weeds and pests without harsh interventions. However, some issues require a bit of offense. Grubs, in particular, are a persistent threat in central Illinois. Alan Daggett, owner of Alan Daggett Enterprises, has been in pest control since 2009, rst in Arizona and now in Illinois. “The grubs we have around here, a lot of them eat the roots of the grass in the spring,” Daggett explains. “White moths lay their eggs in the dirt and then they’ll hatch in the spring. Those grubs start eating on the roots, and that’s what causes dead spots in the grass.” Daggett stresses that not every grub sighting warrants treatment. “Some of them there has to be so many grubs per square foot before they [pest control companies] will even treat for them,” he says. Homeowners can check their yards themselves by examining dead spots in their lawns. “Kick the dirt back a little bit, and see if there are holes where grubs are. You’ll be able to tell them [companies] because you can see the holes. That's a bene t to the customers because they don’t get ripped off, and it's a bene t to the pest professionals because we already know where to start looking.” For those who do need intervention, Daggett’s company offers natural sprays that control pests without harming pollinators. “You can get all kinds of different bugs in a garden, but it doesn’t hurt the pollinators,” he notes. Beyond pests, fall is the prime season for overseeding and aeration. Overseeding lls bare patches, ensuring a thick turf that crowds out weeds. According to Illinois State University, aeration, particularly with a core aerator, relieves soil compaction and improves air and water ow to the roots. Pairing these practices creates a stronger, more resilient stand of grass. Continue --
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