boy with his dog on a lush healthy lawn

Let’s explore how organic lawn care works, how it prevents pests, and how to tailor treatments for a healthy, pest-free lawn.

The Truth About Organic Lawn Care & Pest Control: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for ‘organic lawn care near me,’ you probably want a healthier lawn with fewer chemicals while keeping pests away. At JHL Turf Pros, we believe in smart, effective lawn care that blends natural treatments with proven science. Our approach ensures top-quality results while keeping safety a priority—whether for your backyard, a commercial property, or an athletic field.

How Does Organic Lawn Care Help with Pest Control?

Soil test

With so many pest control options, it’s important to choose solutions that keep your outdoor spaces safe and pest-free without harming the environment.

Putting a quick soil test kit to use is the first step in understanding what your lawn is dealing with and what products are needed to keep it healthy and pest-free.

Organic Lawn Care Can Support Natural Pest Control

A healthy lawn starts with healthy soil. A strong lawn with deep grass roots, balanced nutrients, and proper watering is more resistant to pests. That’s why we often begin with soil testing to understand what your lawn needs to thrive.


“Care about your soil’s long-term health and don’t put junk food on your lawn,” advises Andy Zook, Turf Manager of JHL Turf Pros. “The grass uses it up really fast, and in the end, it’s not as healthy for your lawn.”

For a healthy lawn and natural pest control, start beneath the turf to understand your lawn’s ecosystem.

Common Signs of Poor Lawn Health & Increased Pest Activity:

  • Brown Patches – Could indicate soil nutrient imbalances, fungal disease, or pest infestations such as a grub issue.
  • More Mosquitoes & Ticks – Lawns with standing water, poor drainage, or unbalanced soil can attract pests.
  • Bare Spots – If your lawn is thinning in areas where it used to grow, pests or soil issues might be the culprit.

Natural Pest Control That’s Safe and Effective

Although many pest control options may be natural, it doesn’t mean they are the safest option.  At JHL Turf Pros we use a 100% organic cedar oil to drive away pests like ticks and mosquitoes.  When choosing a pest control solution, whether it’s natural or not, these are some things to look out for:

  • Is it safe for pollinators?  While we want to eliminate pests like mosquitoes, it’s crucial to protect pollinators like bees and butterflies to maintain a healthy environment in Central PA.  Some pesticides kill everything that comes in contact with them, which may make your lawn a pest-free space, but at what expense?
  • Is it safe for your soil? Don’t sacrifice the long-term health of your lawn for short-term results.  Always assess the products you’re using to ensure they not only work, but aren’t doing long-term damage.
  • Does it work? You’ll find plenty of DIY solutions online, but while some may work temporarily, many end up being a waste of time and money.  If you’re ever unsure, you can always call a local professional to answer all your questions.  
happy homeowner with green grass

Hybrid Lawn Care: The Best of Both Worlds

At JHL Turf Pros, we use a balanced approach that combines natural lawn care with other science-backed treatments to get the best results from your lawn care service in Lancaster PA

  • We prioritize safer, low-impact solutions whenever possible.
  • We customize treatment plans based on your lawn’s unique needs.
  • We offer both organic and traditional lawn care options.

This means you don’t have to choose between organic and effective. You can maintain a healthy lawn while still protecting our local environment.

The Best Ways to Keep Your Lawn Healthy & Pest-Free

Even with professional care, your lawn maintenance habits play a huge role in prevention of pests and disease. Here are a few organic-friendly ways to keep your lawn strong:

  • Aerate & Overseed: Reduces soil compaction and strengthens grass roots to outcompete weeds.
  • Proper Watering: Water deeply but less often to encourage strong root systems.
  • Keep Your Lawn Clean: Remove standing water and debris, even if it’s organic matter like piles of leaves.    
  • Use Organic Fertilizers: Options like feather meal and corn gluten provide slow-release nutrients that support long-term lawn health.
  • Stay ahead of your lawn’s needs: Early detection and proper maintenance help prevent big problems later! It’s important to know what types of grass you have and treat accordingly. Tall fescue, for example, has different fertilization needs than other varieties.

Cool-season grasses need organic fertilizer at different times than warm-season grasses, so timing your feedings correctly ensures the best results.

For tips on year-round lawn care, check out this guide: 6 Essential Lawn Care Tips for Central PA Residential & Commercial Properties

Lawn care truck

What to Consider When Choosing Organic Lawn Care

At JHL Turf Pros, we believe in natural lawn care solutions, but we also understand that every lawn is unique, and sometimes other treatments are needed for the best results. So when making the tough decision on how to treat your lawn, here’s what needs to be considered: 

  • Are they effective?  Although there may be a natural DIY solution, do they work in our Central PA climate, with the specific types of grasses, and fight against pests that we encounter?
  • Are they harmful?  Even some organic weed control products and weed preventative treatments can kill off helpful vegetation and insects that our environment needs to thrive.
  • Are they backed by science with proven results?  At JHL Turf Pros, your lawn’s health is our top priority.  Assuring that every product we use is not only made up of the best ingredients for your lawn’s health, but also that they are backed by science and proven results.  We won’t use something that doesn’t work.
  • Have you talked to a local professional? Our customer, Mark Torborg says, “We truly appreciate how Andy at JHL Turf Pros considers exactly what our lawn needs versus the automated services from some other lawn companies.”  Local professionals know which products work best for our climate and conditions and when and how to apply them for best results.