Choosing a Lawn Care Company
Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
August 1996
Lawns are not only visually beneficial, but environmentally
beneficial as well. They protect against erosion, cool the
environment, enhance property values, and help enrich the soil.
To maintain attractive, healthy lawns, homeowners may hire a lawn
care service. Before selecting a lawn care company, you need to
determine the level of lawn quality you are willing to pay for --
an average quality lawn or an above-average quality lawn. An
average quality lawn can be obtained with a minimum of time,
effort, and money. An above-average quality lawn will require
more care and money.
Look for a lawn care company that uses an integrated pest
management program (IPM). A company using an IPM will monitor
your lawn for pests and diseases, applying pesticides only when
needed. They may also use fertilizers to maintain a healthy,
vigorous lawn. Ask if the company follows Virginia Tech
recommendations for fertilizer applications and pest management
-- select a company that does! When properly applied by a
reputable, trained professional, lawn care chemicals can improve
the health and appearance of your lawn with minimal health and
environmental risks. Inexperienced homeowners are more likely to
make mistakes than trained professionals and so must take extra
care in mixing, applying, storing, and disposing of lawn care
chemicals and in calibrating application equipment.
The following are some guidelines to help you make an informed
choice when selecting a lawn care company.
- Know what lawn or landscape care services you want provided.
Ask several companies what services they offer and ask friends
and neighbors for recommendations.
- Select a company that is willing to listen to your concerns
about your lawn or landscape and can provide effective and
acceptable solutions to your problems. Ask how much training and
experience the company's consulting employees have with lawns in
your area.
- Obtain a written service agreement. Ask if the service is
automatically renewed each year (if so, request an annual written
confirmation), and ask if there are any penalties if you decide
to cancel your service agreement.
- Ask a company representative to visit your property to
determine problems, level of maintenance, and pricing. Do not
simply accept service over the telephone without other contact
with the company.
- Ask if the company is licensed and insured. Do not be afraid
to ask for proof. IN VIRGINIA, PERSONS OR FIRMS THAT APPLY
PESTICIDES FOR HIRE MUST HAVE A VALID PESTICIDE BUSINESS LICENSE,
ISSUED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER
SERVICES.
- Ask if the company is a member of a trade association. This is
an indication of the company's dedication and of being informed
of the latest technical information.
- Ask the company to tell you what lawn care chemicals it plans
to apply and why.
- Be sure the company always provides advance notice of chemical
applications in case anything needs to be moved before the
treatment. The company should also tell you how long to stay off
the lawn after the treatment.
- Ask if the company puts up notification signs for the chemical
applications.
- Ask the company for detailed instructions on the maintenance
you will need to perform.
- Be sure the person applying the pesticides has been trained in
the proper use of pesticides. Ask if the person(s) applying the
pesticides to your lawn will be a Certified Pesticide Applicator.
In Virginia, ALL PERSONS who use pesticides for HIRE are
considered commercial applicators and, as such, must be certified
as either a Commercial Applicator or a Registered Technician.
- Remind the company how important it is to properly dispose of
fertilizer and pesticide containers.
- Check on the company throughout the entire time service is
provided. Let them know of any compliments as well as complaints.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau to see what types of
complaints, if any, have been filed against the company. Ask the
company for references from local customers.
Pesticides used properly when needed can help protect you and the
environment -- especially surface and ground waters. The correct
balance of pesticides and cultural practices (such as proper
mowing, watering, fertilization, and aeration) will promote
healthy, attractive lawns. Make an informed choice if you decide
to use a lawn care service, or if you choose to apply lawn care
chemicals yourself be sure to read the labels and follow the
directions exactly.
(Excerpted from "How to Choose a Lawn Care Company ...
when you're concerned about lawn care chemicals, PIP-36,
by R. Bellinger and R. Polomski, Pesticide Information Program,
Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson University, by Karen Nash,
Consumer Horticulture Intern, Virginia Tech.)