Question
QUESTION: We moved to Mobile 2 1/2 years ago. Tried Centipede and St. Augustine sod. Centipede in the sunny front, St. Aug. in shady back. Just informed we have mole crickets and two other pests. What is an optimal grass for lawns in Mobile AL? What is the best way to control lawn killing/eating pests?

ANSWER: MOLE CRICKETS eat Grass roots here and there.  But these are carnivores; most of their dinner menu is built around smaller insects in the Soil.  It's their search for food, their plowing underground while they hunt, that causes damage to Lawn roots.

See this lovely close-up photo of this pest courtesy of University of Florida Dept of Entomology:

molecrickets.ifas.ufl.edu/mcri003e.htm

UFS explains that 'Southern Mole Crickets are much more active than Tawny Mole Crickets on the Soil surface and underground.  Probably for this reason they are more susceptible to Steinernema scapterisci, a parasitic nematode.  A third difference is that the flights of Southern Mole Crickets begin and end slightly later in the evening.'

Getting rid of them is easy thanks to modern science.  UFS tested the aforementioned S scapterisci Nematode on Mole Crickets, and report the results: 'Initial tests showed that S. scapterisci killed all Southern Mole Crickets exposed to it.'

There are others described in the UFS -- all of them perfectly reasonable choices to solve your Mole Cricket and other pest problems.

No fuss.  No muss.  Just pure American ingenuity.  Tell me your other Lawn pests and perhaps I can guide you to a source for moderately priced, state of the art insect control.  Fight fire with fire.

This system is called 'Integrated Pest Management', and it is the ultimate way to annihilate a species of pest that you do not want, chemicals-free.

Now, let's talk about your Centipede and St Augustine Lawngrass choices.

St Augustinegrass is an incredibly popular species, notable for its comfort level in Shade.  Centipedegrass tolerates moderate Shade, but is better in Sun.  So I support your floorplan of Centipede in Sun, St Aug in shade.

Centipede does not complain much even if you grow it in Poor Soil.  It needs little maintenance.  And it resists an entire range of grass pests. If you want to make growing and keeping a lawn as simple as possible, toss a handful of centipede grass seed down and watch it thrive.  Remember, however, that Centipede cannot take long droughts.  Short droughts or cold waves have potential for severe damage and will definitely stress it.

Note also that Centipede is a Grass that NEEDS Acid Soil -- a pH between 5 and 6.  You would not know that however if you have not taken the most important step you can take in Lawn Care: A SOIL TEST!

Your Grasses need things that you may have in your Soil.  No need to purchase more fertilizer if you have N, P and K.

Your response my friend.  Any thoughts?   Ever gotten a Soil Test befor?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. We also have nematodes, chiggers and chinch bugs.I believe a prior soil sample showed a 6.0 or 7.0 PH and we have had fertilization once or twice. We have been told that seeds will NOT grow here, DOA. Last year sod patches mostly dead or sparse. Any more helpful ideas? Your prior explanation was great and clear. Thought Argentine Bahia might be a great choice but can't get anything BUT Centipede and ST. Augustine sod, that's all that's stocked locally. I appreciate your enlightened help.

Answer
This does not sound like an impossible dream at this point whatsoever, Henry.  Just because someone has written it off ('seeds will not grow here') doesn't mean you can't make it work.  If seeds are going to have it rough, what makes you think Sod will do any better?

There is definitely something wrong with your Soil.  But you have to get a Test done to find out what it is.  Don't spend another dime on fertilizer or seed or sod until you know what's up.

Most people drag their feet on this exercise.  Let me ask you something: When you drive, do you close your eyes and head down the street in your car?  When you bake a cake, do you just turn the oven 'on' and leave the cake pan in at any lucky temperature, for any lucky time?  When you're walking on the sidewalk, do you look at where you're stepping, or do you walk backwards and look up and over to the side?

You have NO IDEA where you're going without a Soil Test.

Worse, you have NO IDEA where you are right now!  You have a vague idea -- a pH reading.  But you do not know anything else -- the Cation Exchange Capacity, the organic matter, the Phosphorus, the Salt, the minerals down there (or not).  You've got to open your eyes and look where you're going.  You've got to see the stop signs, the speed limit, the turns in the road -- and ALL of these things are what you get when you order a Soil Test.  A GOOD Soil Test.

Which you can get for a modest fee at your County Extension Service, which will submit it for a complete, top grade analysis by scientists at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala.  Your County Service's contact information:

Thomas Henry Daugherty, Regional Extension Agent
Jon Archer Agricultural Center
1070 Schillinger Rd., N.
Mobile, AL 36608-5298

Now, I have to warn you: Be VERY careful about following instructions on 'how to take a Soil sample'.  These people in the Coop Extension are first rate in this field, but they can't give you a valid report back if you don't give them a valid Soil sample.  So be careful when you go out in the garden to do that.

While you're waiting for the results of that Soil Test, go out and get yourself a few bags of Compost and Humus, and mix these lightly into the Soil (top 4 to 6 inches).  It never hurts to put a little punch in your Soil with Organic Matter.

I want to ask you, Is there any possibility that your Soil has been contaminated with some chemical?  A spilloff, perhaps, from a drain?  The ghosts of leftover oil or soil contaminants from a previous life?

I'd also like to know -- if you can tell me -- what Weeds are growing there.  If you know how to read the Weeds, you can learn a lot about your Soil.

Seriously, you have got to get the Soil Test.  This holds the keys to your beautiful Green Lawn.  Let me know on the other details, and give Thomas Dougherty a call this week to get the procedures on submitting a Soil sample.