How Misdiagnosing Lawn Problems Can Cost You Money And What To Do About It

Your lush green lawn is a source of pride, but what if the solutions offered by your lawn care company are more about upselling than addressing real issues? This article will explore the common problem of misdiagnosing lawn problems and its potential financial impact. Let’s delve into the world of lawn care, exposing the practices that could be costing you more money than necessary.

The Ugly Truth in Lawn Care

Many lawn care companies quickly identify issues in your lawn, often exaggerating problems to capitalize on upselling opportunities. This can lead to unnecessary expenses and, more importantly, environmental harm. Let’s uncover the tactics used in the lawn care industry that may be costing you more than you bargained for.

Upsell Tactics in the Lawn Care Industry

Picture this: Your hired lawn fertilization company notices a small brown spot on your lawn and jumps at the chance to upsell your treatments for grubs, billbugs, and fungus. The fear of losing your entire lawn is instilled, and suddenly, the price for services doubles. But is this diagnosis always accurate, and are these treatments truly necessary?

Common Misdiagnosing Lawn Problems

Incorrect Diagnosis

The heart of the issue lies in misdiagnosis. Technicians may identify problems that don’t exist, leading you to spend money on treatments your lawn doesn’t need.

Unnecessary Expenses

You might find yourself shelling out hundreds of dollars for services that are more about profit margins than addressing genuine lawn issues.

Negative Environmental Impact

Covering your entire lawn with insecticide and fungicide can have detrimental effects on the environment, killing off beneficial insects and disrupting the ecosystem.

Technician Sales Pressure

Lawn care companies may incentivize technicians to be mini-salesmen, pressuring them to upsell and earn commissions, even if the treatments are unnecessary.

Educating Yourself: A Wise Approach

While questioning every recommendation isn’t necessary, being educated empowers you to make informed decisions. With over 20 years in the industry, it’s evident that misdiagnoses occur, and being aware can save you money and prevent harm to your lawn and the environment.

Find the Right Service

If you are hiring a lawn company, good for you! It is a great thing to take pride in your home and property and make things look the best you can. However, this does not excuse you from what they do on the property. Make sure to research the company that you hire. Look at their core values, review their website, and ensure you feel good about hiring them.

If you only look at the cost, then the above situation will happen much more than you think. Be sure to ask questions like, are you mindful and smart with the applications? Are your technicians trained and experienced? Do you try to use the most eco-friendly products and solutions possible?

Know Some Lawn Basics

Learn a few things about the most common lawn problems in our area. You don’t need to become a lawn care expert, but having a little knowledge can help you immensely. Here are a few things I wish all lawn owners knew so that they could recognize problems when they develop.

This may change depending on the region and type of soil and grass you have, but here are a few overall tips that may be helpful.

Dog Damage  

The green outer ring on your lawn gets less urine, acting more like fertilizer, making that area darker green and grow faster. This often happens around dog poop left on the lawn for a few days, too. It’s all about nutrients going into the soil. While there are products to neutralize dog urine, they’re not recommended. Some sprays can be used right after your pet goes, but it’s tricky to be there on time. Currently, not much can be done, but there are new products in testing, and I’ll look into them.

Fungus Damage

Notice how irregular and bizarre these shapes are. Normally (here in Utah), you will see fungus damage from early summer to early fall. There are many different types of lawn fungus, so it helps to know which kind you have so that you can treat it with the correct product. Not all fungi are created and treated equally.

Drought or Dry spot

Your lawn can get stressed in Utah due to high elevation, leading to dryness from heat and drought. If you notice this, first check your sprinkler heads and ensure each area is getting water. You might need to increase sprinkler time. Products like “Revive” or organic soil conditioners can help your lawn recover.

There are various lawn issues, but I wanted to highlight some common ones. Before signing up for services, consider the specific problem. Sometimes, people want the whole lawn treated just for one grub, which may not be necessary.

The truth is, if you see a grub or a few, it’s okay. There are all kinds of insects in your soil. It’s an ecosystem; they work together to keep things in balance and in check. When you plaster insecticide across your lawn, you may be doing more damage than good in the long run. You may be killing thousands of beneficial insects. If you receive a diagnosis from a lawn care company, be sure to check for the following:

  1. Make sure to have the correct diagnosis.
  2. Treat it correctly with the least amount of excess and impact.
  3. Weigh out all the options.
  4. Look for organic and eco-friendly solutions to these problems.

Conclusion

Misdiagnosing lawn problems can indeed cost you money, but being informed and vigilant can save you from unnecessary expenses. Choose your lawn care service wisely, educate yourself on common problems, and always question recommendations. It’s time to shift the focus from unnecessary upsells to sustainable lawn care practices.

Take control of your lawn care! Visit ECO Lawn Utah for expert guidance and eco-friendly solutions. Don’t fall victim to unnecessary upsells; make informed choices for a lush, healthy lawn without breaking the bank.