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Turf Care Programs & Services

Let's face it, lawn care isn't as simple as it may appear. There is a true science around how a plant (grass) grows and thrives. At ILS, we combine understanding the complexities of the science, knowing the appropriate timing and delivery methods and base our products on our current environmental factors. That knowledge and experience along with our genuine care is how we provide you exceptional residential and commercial lawn care.

 

We specialize in fertilization, weed control, soil amendments, aeration, over-seed, tree and shrub health solutions, mosquito/flea and tick, insect/pest control along with vegetation control and other preventative and curative solutions for your lawn. 

At ILS we understand that not all lawns are the same, and therefore we use an "innovative" approach to tailor a solution that is best for the unique needs of your lawn. 

ILS is currently serving the areas of Adel, DeSoto, Earlham, Van Meter, Waukee, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Polk City, Ankeny, Norwalk, Panora and Lake Panorama.

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Make 'em
Jealous
Superior Program
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This program consists
of 6 Applications, Weed Control +2 Additional Services:
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​**Apps 2 & 3 are done on the same visit**
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  • Application 1 (Pre-Emergent)
  • Application 2 (Post Emergent)
  • Application 3 (Liquid Endurance)   
  • Grub Control
  • Application 4
  • Application 5            
  • Application 6                       
  • Core Aeration (Fall)
  Keeping Up
With The Jones'
Standard Program
​
This program consists
of 6 Applications and
Weed Control:
​
**Apps 2 & 3 are done on the same visit**
​
  • Application 1 (Pre-Emergent)
  • Application 2 (Post Emergent)
  • Application 3 (Liquid Endurance)   
  • Application 4
  • Application 5            
  • Application 6                    
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Size 'em Up
Custom Select
 
Select any of
the 6 Applications, includes Weed Control:
 
and/or 
Grub Control
and/or
Core Aeration
(Spring or Fall)

Program services continue from year to year unless otherwise notified in writing of the desire to discontinue receiving service. Any services performed before discontinuation notice is received will be billed and payment will be due upon receipt. Refunds for services paid for, but not yet performed, will be given less any discounts, credits, credit card or processing fees, and returned via the original form of payment. All prices for services and program are quoted at a per application price + applicable sales tax.

Additional Service Needs​
  • Grub Prevention and Post Control
  • Aeration 
  • Over-seed  
  • Soil Amendments
  • Crabgrass Preventative & Post Control
  • Disease Control
  • Vegetation Control
  • Tree & Shrub Health Solutions/Programs
  • Exterior Home Perimeter Pest Control
  • Mosquito/Flea & Tick Control
  • Many more preventative and curative turf, tree, shrub and pest solutions!

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ADDED SERVICES (INCLUDED IN THE SUPERIOR PROGRAM):

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Grub Preventative

Application containing an insecticide to prevent grubs from hatching and damaging the lawn. It is important to thoroughly water in this product for it to be effective.

 

Core Aeration

Core aeration removes plugs or "cores" of soil and thatch from a lawn. Core aeration reduces soil compaction, creating a channel through which oxygen, water, and nutrients can penetrate the soil. Core aeration is also a great time to seed the lawn.

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ADDITIONAL TURF SERVICES:

Over-Seed

ILS uses the highest quality seed that cannot be found at local retail stores. Over-seeding is typically done at the time of core aeration. It is an easy way to fill in bare spots, improve the density of turf, establish or improve existing grass varieties and enhance the color of a lawn. Shaded lawns are recommended to be seeded every other year.

 

Micronutrient Applications

This is an incredible compliment to your fertilizer program. Loaded with readily available minor elements in a fast-acting liquid form.

  • Iron and manganese support chlorophyll production and photosynthesis.

  • Zinc plays important roles in root initiation and antioxidant production.

  • Copper and manganese work as enzyme activators in the process of building proteins.

  • Boron is crucial for cell wall development by providing structural linkages in cell walls.

 

The Triple Threat (John’s favorite)

A combination utilizing three of our most popular products. With our Soil Revive aggregating tight soils and allowing atmospheric oxygen to enter the soil profile, it takes along with it the root mass and deeper rooting benefits of Total Bio and the robust microbial building benefits of our Thatch B Gone. An ag-gressive approach to getting stubborn soils to respond faster. More oxygen, more roots, more biology quicker. New construction-robbed soils can benefit anytime of the year to improve soil health, nutrient efficacy, increase root cycling and soil biology. This can also be used on the 1st and last round applications for quicker green-up from cold anaerobic soils.

 

Liquid Endurance  (This service can be done individually but is the 3rd application of both turf programs and is applied on the 2nd visit)

Application designed to help maintain turgor pressure in the cells of the plant, resulting in a positive influence on drought tolerance, cold hardiness, and disease resistance. This application also helps to unlock nutrients that are locked up in the soil so that they can become available to the plant. This application can be used any time throughout the growing season.

 

Root Fuel (Formerly Root Growth Stimulant) - Spring & Fall OR Program

Root Fuel is a specific blend of clean, powerful soil and plant stimulants that provide microbes the energy to multiply more quickly. As a food source, Root Fuel boosts microbial populations in the soil and increases effectiveness of Total

Bio. Promotes root growth and development, feeds soil microbes, aids in plant health during stressful situations.

 

Soil Revive (Formerly Liquid Aeration) - Spring, Summer, Fall or Program

Soil Revive improves soil texture, evens out soil texture, allows plants to increase root mass by helping soil tilth and increase water holding capacity. Soil Revive also gives roots the opportunity to go as far down as possible. This product not only reduces our carbon footprint but also has many additional benefits. Soil Revive jump-starts “new” ground where fertility levels are poor or unknown allowing NPK and micronutrients to be used to their full capacity.

 

Thatch B Gone (Formerly Liquid De-thatch) - Program available

Thatch B Gone is a consortium of bacteria and fungi that turn dead plant tissue into organic matter. Thatch B Gone releases bound nutrients within grass residue back into the soil. Aids turning thatch into organic matter, thereby improving soil health. Reduces effect of tip burn in cases of over application of herbicide. Organic matter enhanced root development

 

Total Bio (Program available)

Total Bio is our blend of biology that en-hances soil and plant health. Containing biology and a food source for that biology. Total Bio unlocks nutrients in the soil and aids plant and root development. Use less conventional fertilizer.

Beneficial fungi helps to fight off disease and keeps turf and ornamentals healthier. Enhances and maintains healthier, longer root growth.

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Moisture Manager

Moisture Manager technology is designed to reduce overall watering and trap moisture where it is needed most, the root zone. It consists of a group of hygroscopic and humectant components that attract moisture and make it available to plant roots reducing loss to evaporation. Irrigation immediately after application is recommended, however within 3-5 days is acceptable.  Additional applications may be required as the necessity for more frequent irrigation increases.

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Landscape Bed Pre-Emergent

The herbicide soaks into the mulch/soil when properly watered

  • Creates an invisible barrier in the mulch/soil area

  • Stops weed seeds from germinating

  • Kills newly germinated seeds

Benefits of Using Pre-Emergent in landscape beds

  • Using a pre-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to control weeds

  • Poses no danger to desirable plants

  • Use of pre-emergent in the spring and fall decreases the need to use weed killers throughout the summer

  • Pre-emergent herbicides kill the weed permanently

  • Prevents weeds for months

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Vegetation Control (Landscape beds, parking lots, driveway cracks and sidewalks)

Applications to eliminate weeds and grasses in unwanted areas such as driveways, sidewalks, patios, gravel paths, fence lines, landscaping and other areas where no vegetation is desired.

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Weed Control

As a single or individual application outside of a full turf program. We use a broadleaf Herbicide that contains four precise ratios of multiple active ingredients to provide effective cool-weather weed control. Kills the toughest broadleaf weeds on turf, including wild violet, ground ivy, oxalis, and clover.

 

Fungicide (Preventative and Curative)

Afternoon and evening rainfall, overwatering, mowing with a dull blade, infrequent mowing and hot humid weather are all things which can cause fungus activity on your lawn. Some fungi merely cause aesthetic problems to the turf. Others, however, will cause irreparable damage and death to your lawn. For this reason, we recommend protecting your lawn with our Preventative Fungicide Program. Our Program consists of 5 applications of contact and systemic fungicides. The treatments are applied at a preventative rate on a timely basis throughout the growing season. Curative action is taken when a disease is discovered on the turf. Curative applications will be applied at a heavier rate to help reduce further damage.

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ADDITIONAL PEST AND TREE/SHRUB SERVICES  

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PEST MANAGEMENT:  

Exterior Home Perimeter Pest Control - Individual, Custom or 5 Application Program

An insecticide perimeter treatment that serves as a first line of defense around your home and landscaping, stopping pests before they can enter. We offer five treatments per year and can customize the program to fit individual needs. Treatments start in April and go through October. 

 

Mosquito Reduction / Flea & Tick Control - Individual, Custom or 5 Application Program

Our Mosquito Reduction / Flea & Tick Control program will provide you seasonal freedom from pesky fleas, ticks and tolerable levels for mosquitos. Our full program consists of five applications (more are available upon request). Beyond a program, we can cover special events and activities such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, and holiday gatherings, just schedule 1 week in advance. Treatment periods are between April and October and typically last for one month (28 days) but are dependent on weather and rain.

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Complete Property Pest Protection

This application covers the whole property. You can enjoy the protection against home-invading insects including ants, fleas, ticks, spiders and several more. It acts quickly to kill both above and below the surface Insects. This Insect Killer is safe for people, pets and for use on flowers or gardens. You may enter the treated area after the application is completed. It is guaranteed to work or your money back.

 

TREE & SHRUB HEALTH SOLUTIONS:

Fertilization

Our custom blend tree and shrub fertilizer provides a source of essential nutrients that plants need to grow normally and be healthy. Nutrients are also supplied by the soil and decomposing organic matter, but adequate quantities of certain nutrients may be lacking. Young shrubs and trees will especially benefit from fertilization. Our fertilizer blend will stimulate growth and improve the color and appearance of plants.

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Tree/Shrub Fungicide

Fungus is a common ailment for trees and shrubs. When fungal spores come in contact with a susceptible host they begin to grow, enter, and feed on the tree or shrub. Spores spread through the air on windy days, hard rains that splash the spores up onto trunks and leaves, garden tools and human movement. Fungicide applications help to stop or inhibit the growth of fungi on plants and can help you keep your ornamental trees and shrubs from succumbing to fungal diseases.

 

Insecticides

Countless insects live on, in, and around trees - many are harmless, while others can cause fatal damage. We offer a variety of methods and modes of action to deliver insecticides to trees and shrubs based on the specific target.

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Japanese Beetle (Preventative and Curative options)

This application consists of a broad-spectrum insecticide for prevention, maintenance, or control of an active infestation and treats over 75 pests including the Japanese Beetle. This product provides a barrier for crawling insects, protects ornamental plants, trees and shrubs from hazardous pests (Japanese beetle) and helps control nuisance flying insects. Please note that there is not a product that can stop the Japanese beetle from landing on the plant. The beetle will land on the plant and ingest the product resulting in death. This method will greatly reduce the damage to the plant compared to those that have not been treated. This product leaves a lasting residual and is odorless, non-staining, dries clear and is safe around children and pets.

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EAB Treatments (Emerald Ash Bore)

While the adult beetle causes little harm, only nibbling on foliage, the larvae cause considerable damage because they feed on the inner bark. While the process can take several years, EAB has killed millions of ash trees across the country by disrupting their ability to carry water and essential nutrients. EAB has been positively identified in residential trees in several Iowa counties (including our service area) over the last several years. Treatment for EAB is a systematic insecticide to control the pest population. Our process involves a trunk injection with TREE-äge (active ingredient: Emamectin Benzoate). The preventive treatment is effective for up to two full growing seasons and is typically performed from April through October.

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Evergreen (Rhizosphaera) Needle Cast Fungicide Treatment (Available in a 4-step program)

Rhizosphaera needle cast is a foliar disease of evergreens. Rhizosphaera needle cast causes needles to turn purplish brown and fall from the tree, usually from the inside of the tree working out and from the bottom of the tree working up. For effective control, infected trees should be treated once in May and again four to six weeks later, up to four applications. Fungicides do not cure needles already infected, but they protect the newest growth as it emerges.

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Iron Treatments

Iron plays a major role in producing chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves. A deficiency of iron reduces the amount of chlorophyll the leaves produce. When chlorophyll is reduced, a yellowing of leaves occurs. This is an early sign of iron chlorosis. On deciduous trees, iron chlorosis causes the leaf veins to remain green while the area between the veins is yellow-green to yellow. In advanced stages, twig dieback may be observed, especially toward the top of the tree and ends of the branches. We have several methods to correct iron deficiency depending on the condition and size of tree.

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Dormant Oil

Dormant oil is used on trees and shrubs to suffocate insects and their eggs nesting in branches. Using dormant oil on will not eliminate the problem with these pests, but it is the best way to cut off most of the population. Once the oil solution is sprayed on all the branches of a tree or shrub, it penetrates the surface of the insect’s hard outer shell and suffocates it by not allowing any oxygen to get through. This application is recommended early Spring and late Fall.

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Anti-desiccant

Dealing with environmental stress is a constant battle. Preventing damage brought on by freezing winter temperatures, exposure to salt and summer heat can now be addressed easily. This application forms a thin, flexible, water-repellent layer on plant surfaces. Our application will protect your plants against drought, extreme temperatures, wind and sunscald. Most applications are made late Fall prior to Winter.

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And many more!

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Be proactive
Anytime you think your trees or turf may be at risk, give us a call. We are certified experts that have the best interest of your property.

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