Natural grass has many enemies. In addition to weeds, constant foot traffic and the devastating effects of dense shade, there are what many in the landscaping industry call the “diggers”. Diggers are the pests, or pets, that dig holes in the soil or burrow through the ground creating tunnels, weak spots and mounds of dirt that end up becoming unsightly, tripping hazards. There are ways to protect your lawn. If natural grass is seemingly taking more and more of your time and money to maintain, you may want to consider the benefits of artificial grass.
Intricately Woven Base Fabric
The intricately woven fabric that makes up the base of the artificial turf is designed to resist the most persistent scratching and digging. Dogs and cats, alike, tend to dig, especially if they are anxious, curious or just plain bored. Dogs can end up damaging large areas of a natural grass lawn if their digging is not brought under control. Cats tend to only dig when they are finishing up with their “duties”, but will often time dig if they find something they want to eat or play with. While cats rarely have the strength to do excessive amounts of damage, their claws are kept extremely sharp and may, after time cause the sturdy fabric of the turf to begin to fray or tear. Chipmunks and other rodents may also present a hazard. For the most part, they are easily distracted and don't stay long enough to do too much damage, especially if you have larger pets.
Multi-layer Foundation
The multi-layer foundation helps to keep moles, groundhogs and other animals that burrow underground at bay. When the ground is prepared for the installation of artificial grass, several things occur that will prevent diggers from getting close to the surface. The lowest layer closest to the soil is made up of a natural subgrade material that forms a barrier between the geotextile matrix and the actual dirt. The geotextile matrix is the layer in which the drainage system is located. The next layer is made of drainage stone that acts as a leach bed allowing moisture to gradually make its way to the drainage pipe and so it can be carried away. A “leveling' layer is used to smooth out any dips, creases or crevices in the ground. The energy pad allows for the dissipation of heat and works to keep the artificial turf cool in the summer time. The backing layer of the turf (with tiny drainage holes), the infill and the turf's grass blades make up the final three layers.
Construction and Materials
The materials used in the construction of artificial grass make it practically unpenetrable by small animals and rodents. The polyethylene fibers used to make the backing layer and the actual blades of turf grass are highly resistant to almost all types of wear and tear. Even the claws of the family dog may not be able to weaken or damage the fabric. Although some types of turf use different strengths of fibers, most artificial turf companies guarantee their product against this type of damage. The thick rubber and other forms of geotextiles used to create the lower layers of the turf are also resistant to most types of damage caused by scratching and clawing.
Keeping your lawn beautiful sometimes mean protecting it from things you can't always see. Controlling the animals above the ground is easy when compared to fighting those that sabotage your lawn from underground. When you convert your natural grass lawn to artificial grass, you are placing a 6 to 8-inch barrier between the pest and the surface of your lawn. Artificial turf is sometimes the only effective barrier when it comes to protecting your lawn's beauty and vitality.
