Hi C.J.

 

My question for you is about some of the alternative grub controls such as milky spore and nematodes. I have read that if you use synthetic fertilizers on a lawn with these organisms you will end up killing them with the chemicals. Is this true? These methods are quite expensive and I wouldn’t want to spend the money if after all I’d be wiping them out! I know that I could use organic type fertilizers, but I’m not all that happy with the results. In defense of the synthetic fertilizers, the books that are making the claims are of the “hippy tree hugger, all organic, go green” mentality.  PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS (that is if you know?) Do synthetic fertilizers kill beneficial microorganisms in the soil? Do pesticides (insecticides and herbicides) kill beneficial microorganisms? It’s hard to tell which side is telling the truth or just trying to further their cause. It’s so confusing! Please help!

 

Thanks! Dave – a lawn coach junky since ‘08