Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Care & Pest Control in Birmingham, AL

TDI Services Birmingham provides complete lawn care and pest protection for residential properties. Our services include fertilization and weed control, year-round pest control, ornamental tree and shrub care, mosquito reduction treatments, and professional termite protection. Each program is designed for Birmingham’s warm-season grasses and local pest pressures, ensuring healthier turf and a safer outdoor environment.

View all our lawn and pest services.

TDI Services is both a lawn care and pest control company. Many customers appreciate our “no-contact” pest control approach, where we treat your lawn and perimeter pests during the same visit. This combined service saves you time, keeps your home protected, and allows us to offer high-quality care at a more affordable price.

Learn more about our Pest Control

Services.

TDI takes a soil-first approach that sets us apart from most Birmingham lawn care companies. Just like farmers rotate crops to improve soil health, we focus on enriching the turf’s growing environment, not just applying fertilizer. When your soil is balanced and healthy, your grass naturally grows thicker, greener, and more resilient. Our program is tailored to Birmingham’s warm-season lawns and changing weather conditions, giving your yard the best chance to thrive year-round.

See our Biological Lawn Solutions program.

Yes. Most products we use are safe once dry, which typically takes 15–20 minutes. For added caution, we recommend keeping pets and children off the lawn for at least one hour after any liquid application. All treatments are applied according to label guidelines and EPA standards to ensure safe use around your home and family.

Absolutely. Every lawn in Birmingham has unique soil conditions, grass types, shade levels, and weather exposure. Our technicians carry multiple fertilizer blends and treatment options so they can tailor each visit to your property’s needs. We also adjust our agronomic program based on seasonal conditions, for example, applying liquid treatments during drought or using slow-release fertilizers during rainy periods to prevent leaching.

Learn more about our Lawn Care Services.

Biological lawn care combines the benefits of organic and traditional lawn care methods. While we still use synthetic weed controls and pre-emergent products when needed, all fertilizers in our biological program are organically derived and free from harsh salts and chlorines. These custom-blended fertilizers improve soil biology, strengthen root systems, and promote long-term lawn health, ideal for warm-season grasses in Birmingham.

Explore our Biological Solutions program.

Our professional lawn care program includes everything your warm-season turf needs to stay healthy and weed-free throughout the year. Each service visit may include:

- Pre-emergent applications to prevent seasonal weeds

- Fertilizers and soil conditioners tailored to your lawn’s needs

- Treatments for turf-feeding insects

- Preventive and corrective disease control (as needed)

This comprehensive approach ensures consistent growth, strong roots, and a greener lawn in Birmingham’s climate.

See everything included in our Lawn Care Program.

Most Birmingham homes have warm-season grasses, which thrive in southern climates. Common warm-season turf types in our area include:

- Bermuda

- Zoysia

- Centipede

- St. Augustine

Some shaded lawns may have Fescue, but it's less common due to our heat and humidity. If you’re unsure, our technicians can quickly identify your grass type during your estimate.

Yes, Bermuda and Zoysia are the two most common warm-season grasses in Birmingham, and our lawn care program is designed specifically for them.

While we can treat Centipede and St. Augustine, these grasses prefer coastal climates and can struggle with Birmingham’s colder winter temperatures. Our technicians adjust treatments carefully to avoid stressing sensitive grass varieties.

See our Lawn Care Services for warm-season turf.

Most customers begin to see visible improvements within a few weeks. Here’s what to expect:

- Broadleaf weed control: Results typically appear in 7–10 days

- Grassy weeds: May take up to 4 weeks to show decline

- Difficult weeds (e.g., Dallisgrass): Can be extremely challenging to eliminate; even strong herbicides may not fully remove them

Persistent weeds like Dallisgrass may require multiple treatments or manual removal for best results.

Lawn care can improve thin or unhealthy grass, but the results depend on the underlying cause. Common reasons grass thins include:

- Excessive shade

- Compacted soil

- Poor drainage

- Heat stress

- Nutrient deficiencies

Our treatments strengthen the turf, but correcting environmental issues, like aeration for compacted soil or pruning to increase sunlight, may also be necessary to achieve a fuller lawn.

Our Lawn Care Program helps strengthen your turf.

Our Standard Lawn Care Program includes 8 applications per year, typically spaced 5–7 weeks apart. Seasonal timing may result in some visits occurring as soon as 4 weeks apart, ensuring your lawn receives the right treatments at the right time.

See details of our 8-application Lawn Program.

Yes, our lawn care program includes both broadleaf and grassy weed control. Some grassy weeds are more challenging and require repeated applications, but our technicians work aggressively to reduce them throughout the growing season.

Learn more about our weed control as part of Lawn Care.

Yes. We offer targeted solutions for difficult weeds, but results vary by weed type:

- Nutsedge: Responds well to specialty herbicides and is relatively easy to control

- Bulb-based weeds (wild onion/garlic): Not affected by pre-emergent and require selective post-emergent treatments

- Grassy weeds like Dallisgrass, Johnson Grass, Torpedo Grass: Very difficult to control; no product fully eliminates them

Our technicians use the best available treatments and will advise when manual removal is the better option.

See how our Lawn Care Program targets problem weeds.

Yes. We offer a full tree and shrub care program designed to protect your ornamentals from insects, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Our treatments support healthier growth and year-round plant vitality, especially for landscapes in Birmingham’s climate.

Explore our Tree & Shrub Care Services.

Our Tree & Shrub Program includes 8 professionally timed applications each year. Every visit may include:

- Fertilizers designed for ornamental plants

- Systemic and topical insecticides for pest prevention

- Fungicide treatments to protect against common diseases

- Soil-enhancing products for better nutrient uptake

We perform these treatments during your regular lawn care service, saving you time and money.

Learn more about our Tree & Shrub Program.

Our tree and shrub treatments provide dual protection using both topical and systemic products:

- Topical treatments stop insects and diseases on contact

- Systemic treatments are absorbed into the plant, creating long-lasting internal protection

This layered approach keeps your landscape healthier and prevents damage before it starts.

Yes. Proper fertilization and nutrient-rich soil play a major role in plant performance. Our program includes:

- Balanced fertilizers for vibrant growth

- Micronutrients that support flowering

- Products that enhance root strength and overall plant health

Consistent care promotes stronger plants and more abundant blooms.

Absolutely. All products in our Tree & Shrub Program are safe for ornamental plants when applied correctly. Our technicians are trained to protect sensitive species and use environmentally responsible application methods.

We recommend 8 treatments per year, spaced 5–7 weeks apart, for reliable protection and optimal plant health. If you ever notice an issue between visits, we offer free service calls for full-program customers to diagnose and treat problems promptly.

See our full Tree & Shrub Care schedule.

No. We do not treat weeds inside flower or shrub beds because the herbicides that kill weeds can also harm your ornamentals. For safety, we focus on plant health and recommend hand-pulling or mulching for bed weed management.

Core aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil from your lawn to relieve compaction and improve turf health. This allows:

- Better air exchange in the root zone

- Faster movement of water and nutrients into the soil

- Stronger, deeper root growth

Aeration is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia in Birmingham’s dense clay soil.

Learn about aeration as part of our lawn services.

Yes. Birmingham’s heavy clay soil becomes compacted very easily, especially with mowing, foot traffic, and rainfall. When clay compacts, it:

- Restricts root growth

- Prevents water from draining properly

- Limits nutrient absorption

Aeration creates pathways that help the soil “breathe,” making it essential for healthy Bermuda and Zoysia lawns in our region.

Aeration is included in our Lawn Care recommendations.

We recommend aerating your lawn at least once per year. Many golf courses aerate multiple times during the growing season because consistent aeration dramatically improves turf density, color, and overall performance.

Aeration immediately improves soil structure and supports long-term turf growth. Key benefits include:

- Healthier root development

- Reduced soil compaction

- Better water penetration

- Improved fertilizer efficiency

- Stronger, thicker turf

Aeration helps your lawn withstand heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic.

Yes. Aeration is one of the best methods for reducing thatch and relieving compaction. After aerating:

- Soil relaxes and expands, helping roots spread

- Plugs left on the surface break down naturally and return nutrients to the soil

For best results, let the plugs dry for a few days, then mow over them to help break them down.

For Bermuda and Zoysia lawns, aeration is usually the better choice. These grasses rarely require dethatching, and in most cases, core aeration provides all the benefits needed to reduce thatch and improve turf performance.

We do not offer sand top-dressing, but adding sand after aeration can be beneficial. The sand fills the aeration holes, improving drainage and reducing compaction by creating a more porous growing environment.

Aeration can damage sprinkler heads if they are not marked. We notify customers at least one week before the aeration date so you can mark your sprinkler heads with lawn flags. You can purchase a pack of flags at Lowe’s or Home Depot for less than $10.

Yes. We offer two types of fire ant control for Birmingham lawns: a 90-day treatment and a full year of protection. Both options are highly effective at reducing fire ant activity, and each application must be watered in for best results.

See our Fire Ant Control options.

Fire ant treatments can be applied anytime, but late winter is an ideal starting point. Applying treatment early places the insecticide in the soil before ants become active, helping prevent new colonies from entering your lawn.

Our fire ant programs provide either 90-day or 12-month protection, depending on the option you choose. Your technician can recommend the best fit based on your yard’s activity level and your desired level of prevention.

Yes. We treat the entire lawn and all shrub beds. Treating the beds is essential; if the landscape beds are not included, fire ants will simply relocate and continue building mounds in those areas.

If fire ant mounds appear within your treatment window, call us and we’ll return to spot-treat them at no additional cost. Our goal is to keep your property fully protected between applications.

Learn about our guaranteed Fire Ant Control treatments.

No. Fire ant control is a separate service. While our pest control program protects your home from insects, fire ants do not damage turf or feed on grass, so they are not included in the Standard Program. If you want complete yard protection, adding a fire ant plan is recommended.

Yes. We offer professional flea and tick treatments to protect your yard and outdoor spaces. This is an additional service that targets the entire property, helping reduce pests that pose risks to both pets and people.

See our Flea & Tick Treatment Services.

Our flea and tick applications provide up to 90 days of protection. If you notice fleas or ticks within that 90-day period, we will return and re-treat the affected areas at no extra charge.

Yes. Treating your lawn significantly reduces the number of fleas and ticks your pets can pick up while outside. After treatment, we recommend bathing your pets with a flea- and tick-specific shampoo to remove any insects already on their fur.

We treat the entire lawn, including landscape beds and areas where pets commonly rest, hide, or travel. This ensures full coverage and better long-term control of flea and tick populations.

Yes. While our lawn treatment greatly reduces outdoor pests, your pets should also be treated to remove any existing fleas or ticks. Bathing them with an insecticidal shampoo or using veterinarian-recommended preventatives ensures complete protection.

Yes. We provide highly effective mosquito control services in Birmingham, with treatments applied every 21 days to keep mosquito populations low throughout the season. Our program is designed to help you enjoy your yard again with fewer bites and less annoyance.

Learn more about our Mosquito Control Services

Our mosquito treatments target the areas where mosquitoes live, rest, and breed. During each service, we:

- Treat landscape areas, tree lines, and shaded zones

- Apply a combination of insecticides, growth regulators, and essential oils

- Create a protective barrier around your home’s exterior

This combination significantly reduces mosquito activity and provides consistent relief between treatments.

See details of our Mosquito Control Program.

Mosquito treatments are applied every 21 days. Treating every three weeks disrupts the mosquito life cycle, controls breeding, and maintains a steady level of protection throughout the warm months.

Mosquito season in Alabama typically begins in March and extends into the fall. After the first significant cold night, mosquito activity drops sharply. However, if warm weather returns late in the season, additional treatments may be needed to maintain control.

Yes. With consistent applications every 21 days, our mosquito program significantly reduces mosquito populations around your home. Seasonal weather patterns can affect mosquito pressure, but regular treatments help keep activity manageable throughout the year.

Eliminating standing water is the most effective way to reduce mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in extremely small amounts of water; even a bottle cap is enough. To help reduce breeding:

- Remove standing water in buckets, toys, gutters, or plant trays

- Keep bird baths clean and refreshed

- Ensure drainage areas flow properly

- Dump water from outdoor containers after rain

Simple steps like these enhance the effectiveness of your mosquito treatments.

No, mosquito treatments do not control gnats. Gnats are highly mobile, rarely land long enough to contact treated surfaces, and respond poorly to traditional mosquito control products. At this time, there is no reliable treatment for eliminating gnats outdoors.

We treat a wide range of crawling and flying insects that commonly invade homes in Birmingham. Our exterior pest control creates a protective barrier around your home, and once insects come into contact with the products, they typically die within 24 hours. You may occasionally see insects indoors after treatment, but this is normal; they have already made contact with the product and will not survive long.

See our full Pest Control Services list.

Our exterior pest control service is extremely effective at preventing insects from entering your home. However, if you’re still seeing activity inside, we can schedule an interior treatment.

For best results, we also recommend keeping indoor areas clean, especially around:

- Pet food

- Kitchen counters

- Crumbs or spills

- Trash areas

Eliminating food sources helps maximize the effectiveness of your pest control treatments.

Learn about our exterior perimeter pest control.

Perimeter pest control creates a 3–4 foot treated barrier around your home that insects cannot cross. During each service, we:

- Apply long-lasting insecticides around your home’s foundation

- Knock down spider webs around eaves (reachable from the ground)

- Prevent new spider webs from forming for 30–45 days

This approach stops pests before they ever reach your living space.

If insects appear inside after your service, contact us and we’ll schedule an interior treatment. Seeing insects “belly up” indoors is actually a sign the product is working, they’ve crossed the treated barrier and are dying from exposure.

Our treatments are applied according to EPA guidelines and are safe for people and pets when used correctly. While insecticides are designed to target pests, our trained technicians apply them carefully and responsibly to protect your home and the surrounding environment.

No. For exterior pest control, you do not need to be home. This makes the service convenient and flexible; you’ll always stay protected without needing to schedule an appointment around your day.

No. Our exterior pest control keeps pests from entering your home, but it does not treat fire ants in the lawn. Fire ant control is a separate service designed specifically for yard treatment and mound elimination.

Yes. We provide professional termite protection using the Trelona® Bait Station System, a proven and highly effective method for preventing and eliminating termite colonies around Birmingham homes. This system offers long-term protection and peace of mind for homeowners in a high-termite-risk region.

Learn more about our Termite Protection Services.

The Trelona bait system is designed to protect your home for up to 5 years. After that period, the bait cartridges inside the stations need to be replaced, but the stations themselves remain functional and do not need to be removed.

Yes. Each Trelona bait station contains enough active ingredient to eliminate up to four termite colonies. A typical home uses around 17 stations, which means the system can eliminate dozens of colonies around your property and prevent future infestations.

Yes. The bait stations are designed to be safe and discreet:

- They can only be opened with a special tool

- The active ingredient is underground, away from kids and pets

- The gray-and-black design blends naturally into your landscape

Trelona stations also use attractants to draw termites away from your home. Once termites feed on the bait and return to the colony, the active ingredient spreads through the colony and eliminates it over time.

Scheduling service is easy. Just call 205-426-6909, and one of our trained representatives will visit your home to evaluate your turf, shrubs, and landscape needs. You do not need to be home for the estimate, we can leave a detailed quote at your front door. If you prefer to meet in person to discuss specific concerns, we are happy to schedule a time that works for you.

Contact us to schedule your service.

Yes. All estimates are 100% free with no pressure and no obligation. We know you have choices when it comes to lawn care and pest control, and we believe in earning your business through honesty, transparency, and quality service, not aggressive sales tactics.

Request your free estimate.

Pricing is based on the specific needs of your property. We consider:

Square footage of turf areas

Number of shrubs for tree and shrub programs

Flat-rate pricing for pest control services

This ensures fair and accurate pricing tailored to your home

Yes. All of our programs automatically continue from season to season for your convenience. If you need to make changes or pause service, simply contact our office, and we’ll update your account right away.

Yes. Our technicians receive thorough ongoing training, and many hold an Alabama OTPS state license. We follow strict industry standards, continuing education, and best practices to ensure safe, effective, and knowledgeable service on every visit.

TDI Services is built on old-fashioned values; you’ll always receive honest service, personal attention, and care as if your lawn were our own. We take pride in:

- High-quality treatments at a fair price

- Friendly, knowledgeable technicians

- Reliable communication and consistent service

- Customized recommendations to improve your landscape

Our goal is to treat every customer like a neighbor, not a number.

Learn more about why customers trust TDI Services.