TechNotes Tips - 03.07.02

Rainfall along the east coast earlier this week brought some relief to the current drought conditions. Along the entire east coast seaboard, drought conditions exist. Although most forecasts predict relief this spring, some areas like parts of South Carolina face severe drought conditions.

The cold snap that has hit most of the Midwest and southern United States this week may have set a few things back, but forsythia bloom is just around the corner for most of the Midwest. This is a sign that crabgrass germination is not too far off.

How did the major lawn insect pests respond to this cold snap? If you think that the cold weather tricked the insects and that large populations died, you are most likely mistaken. The cold snap at this time probably had little effect.

This spring be on the lookout for Pine Needle Miner larvae. Feeding on pine needles by this insect occurs during the spring. Damaged needles turn yellow and shrivel up.