It’s a natural: as lawns come out of winter, helped by the application of fertilizers (appropriate or not), the accompanying weeds spring up and grow, too. And while weeds are easiest to treat in mild temperatures, the best defense against them is a thick and healthy lawn. And that requires the use of the correct herbicide to control each type of weed.

Before you join the many homeowners that run right out to the nearest store to buy the newest and most touted herbicide, remember that accurate identification of the type of weed. While they don their yard-warrior armor and declare war on anything remotely looking like a weed, They can be killing the wrong thing…or, maybe worse, nothing. In fact some even attack bugs with their herbicide…after all, if it can kill weeds it certainly can kill bugs, right?

Not really.Often all you kill or burn is the healthy grass, especially since not all weed products should be used on all types of grass. Think the manufacturer will tell you? Not necessarily…they want to sell their product. So, before you ride out and into battle, it’s up to you to read and follow all the warning instructions carefully.

Yet, if you don’t, and your lawn suffers from an overly eager, weed-spraying frenzy, we also offer sod replacement. It’s your back-up plan to assure victory.

The best move: call Brandon today and get a professional and free lawn evaluation. Make sure your lawn gets the proper treatment in the first place.

The males often exhibit aggressive behavior as they  hover close to their nests and will approach nearby animals. However, males are harmless, since they do not have a stinger. Female carpenter bees are capable of stinging, but they are docile and rarely sting unless caught by hand.

Protect your home from carpenter bee damage by painting and varnishing  exposed surfaces regularly to reduce weathering. Fill unoccupied Carpenter Bee holes with steel wool and caulk to prevent their reuse.

Not sure if you have them?
Visit our Pest Library to see what Carpenter Bees look like.

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And they are still causing billions of dollars in property damage each year.  Often those termites that do the most damage to a home are never seen.  Termite detecting dogs can smell through walls to find problems before much of the damage is done.  Have your home inspected by a professional every year.  There are many effective and environmentally friendly treatments available that are reasonably priced as well.

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We recommended that you have a licensed professional pest control operator evaluate your lawn and shrubs to insure an effective eco-friendly treatment.

To learn more about what’s important to your lawn, including how often to water, check out our FAQ’s.

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Now is the time to have your home inspected by a professional.  With this mild winter, swarming termites are here earlier than usual.  As termites prepare to swarm there are many signs that termites leave to let you know of a possible infestation.

Look for:

• Exit holes in the baseboards, window casings, and sheet rock
• Mud tubes and bubbling paint can also be found in and around baseboards and wood trim.

These are signs of termite activity and should be taken very seriously.  It’s important to act quickly if you see any signs of possible termite infestation because active termites will cause damage 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

See what termites look like:

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Winged subterranean termites called alates or “swarmers” leave their colonies when conditions are favorable.  These conditions usually occur around March and consist of spring like days with temperatures in the 70’s and usually after rain has occurred.  Swarmers then make their escape out of exit holes about the size of a pin hole, but swarming termites are not good flyers and have to travel with the wind.  Termites will come out by the hundreds at a time and will commonly fly towards a window or light.  Peak swarming times are generally around 11 am to 4 pm.  Fortunately they do not bite, but it is a sign that a termite colony is present.

If you see a swarm, call a professional immediately and have a thorough inspection performed.

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