Western Mountains and High Plains Check for lawn pests You can
detect the presence of lawn insects by watching the blackbirds
and starlings. Look for them feeding on the lawn, or for the
presence of small pecking holes every few inches. You may see
clipped grass and small piles of fecal pellets, or the insects
themselves. Sod webworms and cutworms can be brought to the
surface of the lawn using irritants. A drench of liquid
dishwashing detergent (one percent dilution) will irritate
caterpillars and make them squirm to the surface. Healthy lawns
can tolerate some feeding injury without apparent effects. If
the extent of injury warrants action, check with your local
Cooperative Extension office for information on appropriate
controls and their timing. For a nice supply of colorful blooms
that will attract hummingbirds and hawk moths, plant gladiolus
bulbs from mid-April through May. Set out groups of corms at two
week intervals to stagger blooming times throughout the summer
and early fall. It will be a sight t