Yellow spots quickly look unsightly on well-maintained lawns. They can also be an important warning signal. However, ants in the lawn soil are often not directly to blame for the discoloration. Here you can find out what's going on and how you can take action.
Do ants cause yellow spots in the lawn?
Yellow spots in the lawn are usually not caused directly by ants, but rather by a lack of nutrients, drought or pests. However, ants can promote the spread of pests that cause yellow spots. To avoid ant infestation and yellow spots, measures such as garden relocation or plant manure treatment can be used.
When do yellow spots appear in the lawn?
Yellow spots in the lawn can be caused bynutrient deficiency, drought orpest infestation. The change in the lawn can have various causes. If you also observe heavy ant traffic on the meadow, you should take a closer look. With proper lawn care and occasional mowing, ants are otherwise not too attracted to meadows. So you should check what attracts the ants to the meadow and where the animals come from. The surface may also not be moist enough.
Are the yellow spots on the lawn caused by ants?
Ants contribute to thespreadof certainpests which then cause spots in the lawn. Yellow spots in the lawn are often not caused directly by ants. However, if pests such as root lice or certain grubs are found in the soil, ants can promote their spread. This often happens, especially with lice. The root louse also excretes honeydew. Ants use this as a nutrient. If you discover lice under the lawn, protect and care for them.
How do I deal with yellow spots on the lawn?
Dig up a piece ofsoilat the affected spot andsift the grass, soil and root area of the plants. Follow these tried and tested methods:
- Is the soil dry and without fertilization? Then you should water properly and apply fertilizer.
- Is there white, waxy powder on the grass roots? Then there is an infestation by root lice. Treat the lawn with nettle broth.
- You found an ant nest? You can relocate ants using a clay pot and wood shavings.
How do I avoid ant infestation and yellow spots in the lawn?
You can border the lawn area withlime or treat it with plant manure. Garden lime has a basic pH that neutralizes formic acid. The powder is therefore not accessed by the animals. In order to effectively deter the ants from entering the meadow, you must sprinkle the lime generously on the border areas. Yells like the following are more effective:
- Stinging nettle manure
- Lemon Manure
- tansy manure
The liquid deters ants by smell. If you apply this a few times, you will even fertilize the meadow.
Tip
Use nematodes for pest control
Have you discovered other pests besides ants that you suspect are causing the yellow spots in your lawn? You can get nematodes from specialist retailers that are effective against various animals. The nematodes eat the offspring of the pests directly. Ask your dealer and you can also solve the problem in this way.
