Fall Lawn

(ARA) – Most people view spring and summer as the peak time for lawn care, but it’s fall that actually marks the beginning of your lawn’s growing season. There are simple but crucial steps to take now to promote a strong, beautiful lawn through next season and beyond.

Whether you have the best yard in the neighborhood or you haven’t had much success with your turf, you can improve and maintain the condition of your lawn if you take these three steps:

Build a foundation
The ideal conditions that come with fall — cool nights and warm soil — make it the best time to feed your lawn. The autumn window of opportunity to repair summer damage and achieve long-term lawn success is small, but it’s also a critical time to build and strengthen the root system. A product like Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard helps build strong, deep roots for a better foundation in your existing lawn. The better the root system, the more robust your lawn will be next year. A good fall feeding will keep your turf strong and green throughout the fall, winter and into spring.

Encourage new growth
Fall is also the best time to seed your lawn. The soil is still warm, but the air is cooler, meaning weeds have less opportunity to compete. Trees are shedding their leaves so grass receives more sun, and diseases that attack grass seedlings are less active in the fall. Overseeding with Scotts Turf Builder grass seed promotes (or helps create) a thick, lush lawn at the start of spring, making it difficult for airborne weed seeds to root in the soil. Seeding autumn bare spots will thicken the lawn and make it more resistant to future bare spots.

To reseed your bare spots, dig up bare areas, mix in compost, sow your seeds and cover with more compost. If the weather is dry, keep the seeded soil moist until new grass begins to grow.

Leave the rake behind
Don’t spend time raking and bagging leaves this season. Mulching leaves into dime-sized pieces by mowing over them and leaving them on the lawn provides valuable nutrients needed to produce thick, green turf in the spring. Mulching helps build a better foundation and returns much-needed organic matter back into the soil.

For more information on fall lawn care, visit Scotts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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With a few simple steps you can put your lawn to bed knowing it will awaken healthy and super-charged for spring.

(ARA) – Summer is winding down and soon it will be time to drain the gas from the lawn mower and safely store the string trimmer. You may feel like summer yard work is done for another year. But don’t turn your back on your lawn just yet.

Take care of some essential lawn chores this fall and you’ll reap the rewards next spring – in the form of a lush, healthy, beautiful lawn. In fall, lawn grasses need to become especially strong as the weather cools. Give them some TLC now, and your lawn will reap the benefits over the winter and into next spring. During the fall, your lawn is getting ready to go dormant for the winter. Your grass will rely on its roots throughout the winter season to obtain nutrients until spring.

Following these five (surprisingly fast) simple steps will ensure a sensational start to lush lawns next spring.

1. Start with the soil and aerate

Healthy, aerated soil will make room for water, nutrients, air and roots to move with ease.

The healthier your soil is the healthier your grass will be. Good, aerated soil will make room for water, nutrients, air and roots to move with ease. Aerated, healthy soil will hold water like a sponge, but at the same time promote drainage. Aerating also creates a good environment for the micro-organisms, worms and other life forms necessary for healthy turf. Without good soil you will find yourself doing lots of weed control and over-fertilizing.

2. Don’t delay dethatching

Thatch is the layer of dead grass that settles in between the soil surface and the green foliage of the grass. Too much thatch interferes with nutrient and water absorption. To gauge thatch’s thickness, take a 6-inch-deep plug of sod and soil from the lawn and measure the thickness of the packed thatch. If your thatch layer is more than 1/2 inch thick, your grass will struggle to grow.

3. Supply soil conditioners

Also called soil amendments, soil conditioners added to soil improve plant growth and overall health. Soil conditioners are not fertilizers, but they do improve soil’s drainage and some will also increase the water holding capacity of your soil.

4. Sow your seeds

Sowing grass seed will increase turf density and improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. Seeding in the fall helps the lawn recover from heavy summer traffic and it influences the lawn’s look for the following spring. A dense lawn is also the best natural defense against weed and insect damage. For a wide variety of grass seed choices specifically formulated for your geographic region visit www.outsidepride.com.

An increasingly popular addition to backyard beauty is planting wildflowers instead of grass in hard to maintain, problem spots, like slopes and banks. Outsidepride.com offers a wide variety of blends for nine areas of the country, from the rainy Northeast to the dry Southwest. Adding wildflower seed this fall to your backyard will add beauty and diversity to your landscape next spring.

5. The easy way is the better way

When it comes to labor intensive fall lawn chores like aerating, dethatching, and soil conditioning, brute force isn’t necessarily the best, most efficient way to get the job done. You could rent a core aerator to pull up finger-sized cores of soil, but it takes a strong back and plenty of time to manage the heavy equipment. If your lawn is small enough, you can do the dethatching job using a thick-bladed thatching rake. But bigger lawns call for a power thatching mower. Soil conditioning is easier, yet still time-consuming.

Try a labor-free, easy, all-natural option that’s a liquid product, like LazyMan Liquid Gold. You can tackle the tasks of aerating, dethatching and soil conditioning with a hose-end sprayer in a matter of minutes.

Non-toxic and all natural, LazyMan Liquid Gold’s polymers penetrate hard soil and alternately attract or repel water molecules, opening pathways to allow free passage of moisture and nutrients. A brew of microbes feeds on dead plant tissue in the thatch layer, reducing thatch by half with just three applications at four-week intervals. Finally, humic acids and soil fungi promote soil fertility and plant growth.

After one-step spraying of LazyMan Liquid Gold, you’ve already accomplished three essential fall lawn care tasks. Now, all that’s left to do is seed and feed.

By following these simple lawn care practices in the fall, you can put your lawn to bed and sleep easily knowing that when your lawn awakens from winter it will be healthy and super-charged for spring. To learn more about lawn care, visit www.outsidepride.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Micro sprinklers apply water only when and where it is needed, conserving water and lowering your utility bills.

(ARA) – Even if your region is one of the few areas of the country not experiencing repeated drought seasons, it still makes sense environmentally and economically to conserve water as much as possible in your gardening and landscaping efforts.

“Nothing shouts ‘green’ quite like a thriving garden or a lush landscape,” says Susan Thayer, an irrigation and water conservation expert, “. . . except, perhaps, a beautiful yard or garden that’s been nurtured with green practices that conserve precious water.”

While drought in some mid-northern areas is expected to improve, dry conditions will likely persist in areas such as California, Texas, Florida and North Carolina, according the Seasonal Drought Outlook map. One thing that isn’t likely to change anytime soon, however, is the need to cut costs and conserve resources during an economic recession.

On average, micro sprinklers and drip irrigation use 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation.

Conserving water makes sense environmentally, and can also help your family reduce your water utility bill this summer.

It is possible to grow a thriving garden and nurture a lovely landscape while minimizing water consumption and saving money on your water bill. A combination of native-friendly plants, smart agricultural practices, alternative water sources and efficient irrigation can help keep gardens and lawns growing healthy throughout dry spells.

Here are some tips for conserving water and saving money by reducing your water bill in your corner of the planet.

* Choose drought-resistant native plants for your landscaping needs. Your options won’t be limited to cactus, either. From ornamental grasses to shrub roses, many drought-tolerant native species also offer bright color and visual appeal. Look for plants that do well in the driest conditions found in your geographic region. Your local Cooperative Extension office can help you identify plants that are right for your area. You’ll also find plenty of ideas online at sites like www.gardeners.com.

* Groom soil for optimum water absorption and retention. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends adding water-retaining organic material to your soil. You can also reduce evaporation by using mulch in landscaping beds.

* Look for alternative water sources other than the outdoor tap – such as collecting the water that drains from your air conditioner. Consider collecting roof runoff in a rain barrel for use in flower beds and vegetable gardens.

* Irrigate efficiently with low-volume irrigation systems and smart watering practices. Many communities now require all newly built homes to use low-volume irrigation in their landscapes. On average, micro sprinklers and drip irrigation uses 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation systems.

Irrigation manufacturers like Mister Landscaper are responding to increased consumer demand for low-volume systems by offering micro sprinkler and drip products that homeowners can easily install on their own. Mister Landscaper’s Micro Sprinkler Starter Kits efficiently and slowly irrigate flower and vegetable gardens, as well as areas where trees and shrubs grow. They are available in the plumbing department at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores or online at www.misterlandscaper.com. The system also offers a variety of retrofit products that allow you to replace or add on to an existing underground pvc sprinkler system so you can convert 120 gallons per hour (gph) heads to a 10 gph micro spray or 1-2gph dripper.

“The key is to apply water only exactly when and where it is needed,” Thayer says. Drip and micro spray irrigation provide optimum efficiency with minimum waste and over spray.

* Design your landscaping to minimize evaporation. Windbreaks and fences slow the movement of the wind over the ground and the evaporation it causes, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

To learn more about low-volume irrigation, visit www.misterlandscaper.com. For more information on water conservation, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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“Maintaining a thick healthy lawn is one of the best pro-active measures homeowners can do to help in the battle against the dreaded dandelion,” says Martin. An optimized lawn maintenance program includes an application of corn gluten in early spring to prevent weed and crab grass seeds from germinating, followed up by four fertilizer applications throughout the season in early spring, late spring, early fall and late fall.

The key to successful lawn fertilizing comes from choosing a product with an All In One Particle that is guaranteed not to burn your lawn. Products like Scotts Turf Builder and Scotts Turf Builder Pro Lawn fertilizers.

Multiple feedings not only thicken established lawns but also promotes denser and deeper roots, which result in lawns that require less water as compared to unfed lawns.

You may not know it, but your backyard oasis contributes to our quality of life in many important ways:

• Cleaning the air by neutralizing pollutants and trapping dirt, dust and other airborne particles

• Keeping us cool – the front lawns of eight average homes have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning – the equivalent of central air for 23 average-sized homes!

• Reducing noise levels by 20 to 30 per cent – in cities

• Diminishing soil erosion and flooding by absorbing rainwater

• Recharging our groundwater supply by reducing run-off to impermeable surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks, parking lots and patios.

Remember the healthier the lawn, the bigger the pay-off! The lawn care experts at Scotts Canada offer homeowners a number of tips to help keep your lawns healthy this season:

Visit www.scotts.ca or for more information about healthy lawn maintenance.

- News Canada

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(NC)—If the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, it may be time to rethink your lawn-care strategy. Brown, patchy or weed-ridden lawns are often the result of improper care. You too can have lush, green grass by employing some lawn care fundamentals. A real estate agent will emphasize the added benefit of curb appeal when selling your home so follow these need-to-know tips to get your lawn in tip-top shape this summer:

• Never cut more than one third of its height. Cutting grass too short weakens the plant, lowers weed resistance and it becomes susceptible to scorching from the sun. Opt for longer grass during times of intense heat or drought.

• Leave the clippings on the lawn as a frequently mowed lawn produces short clippings that release important nutrients as they decay and reduce water evaporation.

• Mow your lawn in varying patterns and do so in the evening to allow the grass a chance to recuperate before exposure to the sun.

• Water in the early morning to allow for proper penetration, avoiding excessive evaporation from the afternoon sun.

• Your lawn should receive enough water to penetrate to the depth of the roots. A well-watered lawn will spring back. Signs of an under-watered lawn include drooping grass, a bluish/grey colour and footprints that remain visible in the grass.

• Maintain a thick coverage of grass – this is the best defence against weeds.

• Reseed your lawn every spring to help encourage thicker growth.

• Get rid of weeds by using herbicides. Manual weeding is also an option, but the entire root must be removed or the weed may return.

• Healthy soil is an essential requirement for a healthy lawn. Although soil composition varies dramatically by geography, most lawns can benefit from fertilization. Use a soil test kit to determine which fertilizer (if any) will help your lawn.

• Ensure your lawn has an even layer of topsoil. A lawn with too many bumps or depressions can cause water to run off high areas and collect in lower areas.

More information is available online at www.royallepage.ca.

- News Canada

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The pesticides and fertilizers available at local hardware and home improvement stores are designed specifically to help with these tasks, but choosing the right products and using them correctly is something every homeowner must consider. 

“Nothing is more rewarding than picking healthy, home-grown vegetables, or enjoying a healthy lawn or a pest-free outdoor space with family, friends and pets,” says Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products. “The range of products available to homeowners is vast, but you have to use the ones that are right for your specific situation and use them responsibly.” 

Here are some basic guidelines to help homeowners choose the right products and use them correctly: 

* Identify the problem — Different pesticides and fertilizers are formulated to work in various ways, so positively identifying the problem is vital. If this is unclear or unknown, ask a qualified expert or local extension agent. 

* Determine the best method of control — Research the best, most effective, most economic solution to the specific problem at hand. Sometimes pesticides or fertilizer products are the answer, other times a different solution might be appropriate. 

* Read and follow all label directions — If pesticides or fertilizers are needed, remember the label is the law. Read the label carefully for mixing and application instructions, as well as other precautionary information such as wearing proper clothing or product drying time after application. 

* Use only what is needed — Measure, mix and use the right amount of product needed for the task at hand. Don’t over-apply, but don’t under-apply either. Read the directions and follow them to the letter. 

* Store products in a clean, dry area — Always store any unused pesticide or fertilizer products away from weather or direct sunlight. Make sure all products are stored out of reach of kids and pets. 

“The right pesticide or fertilizer can make all the difference, but each situation is unique,” James says. “We have the right to choose the products we use, but we also have the duty to use them responsibly.” 

Pesticides and fertilizers are designed to improve quality of life. If used properly, they are a helpful tool. They control, kill or moderate unwanted and dangerous pest populations ranging from stinging insects to vegetable-destroying fungus to noxious weeds, and they help to minimize the risks posed to homeowners, families, pets and property. 

When used according to label directions and applied as directed, they have the potential to make a substantial positive impact on the productivity and usability of gardens and green spaces around the home. Improper use and careless handling can cause unnecessary, avoidable complications. Make sure all products are selected and used with care. 

For more information on the proper application of pesticides and fertilizers, visit www.pestfacts.org. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Identifying fire ants and their mounds
Fire ants are small insects. They range in size from 1/16 to 1/5 of an inch long and are dark red and brown. A fire ant mound can be identified by its dome-shaped, soil-based structure that forms the upper most part of a fire ant colony. Their mounds can reach up to 12 inches or more in diameter and height and are usually found where water is nearby and the soil is damp.

Fire ants are hard workers and compile loose soil and other contents in the surrounding area to build their mounds. Mounds are typically visible in yards as soil granules form a “mound” shape, but are small and often hidden in grasses, weeds, under rocks and other landscaping. Mounds can pop up almost anywhere, but common places to watch for them include: Lawns and ornamental planting areas, patios, sidewalks, curbs, flower beds, compost piles, under trees and around electrical equipment. Be sure to keep an eye for fire ant mounds when you are enjoying parks, on golf courses, sports fields and any other places you, your kids or pets may walk through or play in.

Two-Step Method
There are two common approaches for effectively controlling fire ants — broadcast treatments and mound treatments. For large yards and early season prevention, use a broadcast treatment, such as Over ‘n Out Fire Ant Killer or AMDRO FireStrike to treat the entire yard. For smaller areas when visible mounds are present, use a mound treatment such as AMDRO Fire Ant Bait directly around individual mounds.

For the most comprehensive control, especially in the case of severe infestation, experts recommend a Two-Step Method using both broadcast and mound treatment. First use a broadcast spreader to treat your entire lawn. Then, treat particularly stubborn mounds you see with AMDRO Fire Ant Bait to eliminate fire ant activity in as little as one week.

It is an ant’s nature to pick up food and bring it into the colony to feed to the queen and other ants. Ants believe that bait and AMDRO Fire Ant Bait are food. You feed the worker ants and they in turn, feed the queens. As the bait works, it destroys the colony.

Quite the opposite, but with the same results, fire ants unknowingly pick up Over ‘n Out Fire Ant Killer on their bodies, carry it back to the mound, and distribute it to other colony members including the queen. Fire ants ingest it or absorb it through the cuticle, killing them and destroying the colony.

By using both a mound treatment and a broadcast treatment together, you achieve season-long control.

Neighborhood programs
The best way for homeowners to prevent fire ant infestations is to coordinate treatment with neighbors. A coordinated effort among neighbors maximizes the treated area, making it harder for fire ants to find a place to re-colonize. A neighborhood Two-Step Method is the most effective way to control and prevent fire ants for season-long control.

Studies show that areas with diligent neighborhood fire ant control programs, where multiple homeowners treat their lawns at the same time with the same fire ant control product, can reduce the number of active mounds by as much as 96 percent.

Treating fire ant stings
Fire ants bite and then inflict painful stings, which cause small blisters or pustules on the skin, typically up to 24 to 48 hours later. If you, your child, or your pet is stung by fire ants, it is important to follow first aid guidelines and to seek medical attention immediately if there is any suspicion of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions include severe swelling, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, headaches and sweating.

If blisters occur, make sure they are clean and avoid any action that might further irritate the area, such as scratching or rubbing. Rinse the sting area with cold water and gentle soap to avoid infection and elevate the affected area of the body. You can use a cool compress or ice to reduce swelling and alleviate pain and itching.

Summer is the season to enjoy the outdoors. Now is the time to educate yourself and family on fire ants. Being able to identify fire ants and their mounds, proper treatments and handling stings are all extremely important to avoid fire ant infestation. Take time to educate yourself and family and enjoy a fire ant-free season.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Caring for the environment means caring for a full, green lawn. Properly maintaining your lawn will produce strong grass and can help protect and conserve water resources at the same time.

Regular care and lawn maintenance is especially important if you live near large bodies of fresh water like the Great Lakes. Containing more than 90 percent of the fresh surface water in the United States, the Great Lakes provide more than 40 million Americans and Canadians with drinking water.

To enjoy a great lawn and protect fresh water resources for generations to come, follow these lawn care tips from the experts at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and the Alliance for the Great Lakes:

* Strong, dense lawns can help reduce run off and erosion, and filter rainwater to recharge groundwater supplies. The foundation of a good lawn is rich soil, so use a mulching mower to return grass clippings to the soil where the clippings break down and recycle nutrients back into the grass.

* Generally, only new lawns require additional phosphorus for root growth. For mature lawns, choose a fertilizer that is low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free, unless a soil test shows a need for more.

* The best time to fertilize is in the spring and fall. Never fertilize when the ground is frozen.

* Use a drop spreader or rotary spreader with a side guard to keep fertilizer on the lawn.

* Sweep any grass clippings and fertilizer that land on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn to help keep nutrients out of waterways.

* Set your mower to its highest setting to build strong, deep grass roots that can find water and nutrients. Longer grass can also better withstand periods of heat and drought.

* If your lawn is dry, the best time to water it is in the morning. Water easily evaporates in the afternoon and watering at night can cause fungus and disease.

* When lawn problems arise, select the right product for the task. For small problems, use a spot treatment. For numerous problems throughout the yard, use a broadcast application.

* Use native plants in your landscape and garden. These plants are adapted to your area and better able to tolerate adverse conditions and resist disease.

* Avoid application when rain is in the forecast, as heavy rainfall can overwhelm soils and cause fertilizers to be washed into waterways.

* Storm sewers often lead directly into streams and lakes. Never dispose of clippings or pet waste in or around sewers or water resources, such as rivers, lakes and streams. Make it a habit to sweep up any fertilizer, grass clippings and leaves.

For more information and water-safe lawn care tips, visit LawnsandLakes.com.

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(ARA) – Warm weather arrives with the melodic chipping of songbirds preparing their nests. What? Can’t hear them? The steady rumble of lawn mowers not only drowns out nature’s melodies, it disturbs wildlife and sleeping neighbors, and is an unhealthy source of summertime air pollution.

Gasoline-powered lawnmowers will soon have to be dramatically cleaner under new rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The long-awaited regulation requires a 35 percent reduction in emissions from new lawn and garden equipment beginning in 2011. The reductions will be the equivalent of removing one out of every five cars and trucks on the road, according to the National Association of Clean Air Agencies.

The EPA said the new rules will save about 190 million gallons of gasoline each year.
Environmental awareness of gasoline engine pollution has sparked a renewed interest in reel mowers. This, coupled with the growing trend of smaller lots and lawns, greatly reduces the need for large, heavy, gas-guzzling mowers.

The new reel mowers in the marketplace today are not your granddaddy’s heavy, hard-to-push, blunt-edged mowers of time past. They’re state-of-the-art, lightweight and give your grass a gorgeous grooming.

Reel Mowers Are:

Environmentally Effective: Reel mowers don’t add any pollution, noise or emission levels into the atmosphere. And, thankfully, there are no gasoline fumes or smell.

Small Size and Right Weight: Reel mowers don’t have many working parts, so they’re smaller and lighter than electric or gas mowers. They’re actually relatively easy to lift, store and push.

Energy-boosting Exercise: They’re a great form of exercise while you accomplish a much-needed outdoor task. You can burn about 400 calories an hour mowing the lawn with a reel mower.

Economically Attractive: Reel mowers are considerably less expensive than gas, electric or battery-powered mowers. And, again, because you’re not using gasoline, they continue to be budget friendly.

Quality of Cut: Reel mowers tend to deliver a superior cut. The sharp blades make clean cuts much like scissors. Traditional rotary mowers actually tear the tips of your grass off, leaving jagged edges that often turn yellow.

Quell the Noise: Because reel mowers don’t have an engine, they make virtually no noise at all. You can mow the lawn whenever you want to without disturbing your family or neighbors.

If you’re ready to “get reel,” a good mower choice is the German-made modern classic Brill Mower 38-reel-mower. The mower offers several benefits:

* It features five blades, the optimal number for superior cutting and ease of pushing.

* Weighs only 17 pounds, light enough to hang on the garage wall or pick up with one hand.

* Eight-inch diameter wheels make it easy to push over tough terrain.

* The manufacturer offers a two-year warranty.

Keep in mind that manual reel mowers don’t cut tall weeds well, but they do great on grass. Because of the design, the reel will roll over tall weeds without cutting much. So they aren’t a good choice to mow a vacant lot, or overgrown areas of the landscape.

You can also go gas free but add a little power to your push, opting for cordless electric reel mowers. Like the manual reel mower, no gasoline is required, which makes for a much quieter mowing experience without the pollution of the gas mowers.

Brill also makes the Brill Razorcut Accu 38, the newest addition to the Razorcut line of reel mowers. It has a 24 Volt cordless electric motor, can cut up to 2,500 square feet of grass when fully charged, and weighs just 29 pounds.

Reel or electric, your lawn will love it. A good sharp reel mower will leave your lawn in beautiful shape. You can also get bag attachments for many of the models.
For more information on reel and electric mowers as well as environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies visit www.cleanairgardening.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Spring is here, and we can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones. Because when nature springs back to life, so do cockroaches, grubs, and a myriad of ants including fire ants and carpenter ants. If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t want to share your house and yard with damaging insects, but you may also worry about using pest control products around your house.

A recent survey of homeowners, commissioned by the Professional Pest Management Alliance, reflects these concerns. According to the survey, “green service” is the second-most important consideration — after pest elimination — when choosing a pest control provider. Forty-four percent of respondents defined the term “green” as meaning “not harmful to humans or pets.” Homeowners today want the best of both worlds — fast and long-lasting pest elimination as well as more comfort in their use around the house.

Thankfully, there are now options that allow you to control pests in ways that are both effective and gentle on the environment.

Get the facts
If pests are damaging your lawn or entering your home — despite your best efforts at prevention — don’t take matters into your own hands. It’s easy to misidentify the insect or misuse a pest control product. Homemade concoctions and off-the-shelf products, when used incorrectly, could have unintended harmful consequences.

Call a local lawn-care or pest-control company and have them do the hard work. They’ll assess the pest, conduct thorough inspections and apply the necessary pest control products. By understanding insects and how to treat them, professionals can actually minimize pesticide usage. These pros can share their knowledge of environmentally-friendly products and techniques, saving you time, money and damage to your home and lawn over the long term.

One great resource is www.callyourpro.com — it provides information on the behavior and biology of the most common household and outdoor pests. Just enter your ZIP code and you’ll instantly have a list of local professionals at your fingertips that are controlling pests with environmentally-friendly products.

Ask the right questions
It’s reassuring to know that the Environmental Protection Agency registers all professional pesticides to the same high regulatory standard, and also encourages the development of “reduced-risk” pesticides that meet a set of criteria that may include a lower mammalian toxicity profile, reduced toxicity to birds, fish and plants, and/or a lower potential for groundwater contamination (among other criteria).

Professionals also have access to products that, due to their low toxicity, do not require first aid language on their label. This means that no first aid intervention is required if a person or pet accidentally has skin exposure or ingests the pesticide.

Chances are that your local pest control and lawn care professionals are using the latest pest control products from DuPont. DuPont is a leading company pioneering the creation of high-performing pesticides specially engineered to be environmentally friendly.

It’s also a good idea to make sure any individual handling pesticides has the Required Pesticide Applicator License. Ask for referrals from customers that live in your area. And if a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.

Prevent future infestations
You have successfully rid your home and lawn of these pests. Now what? There are a number of ways to prevent future infestations. Outside, caulk cracks and crevices in the foundation where pests may be getting in. Make sure lids are sealed on trash containers and that the area is clean from spills. Clear any unnecessary boxes sitting around, as they are a big breeding ground for roaches. And be sure to get rid of sources that may be collecting water, such as containers or tires. Standing water is a favorite breeding ground for many insects, and in hot weather, will attract insects looking for a drink.

And don’t forget about the inside of your home: Seal crevices in your food storage areas and store sweets, including sugar, cereals and syrup, in sealed containers. Also, since many insects are looking for moisture, fix leaky pipes and don’t overwater indoor plants.

By implementing these preventative measures, and using the services of a professional who specializes in environmentally-friendly pest control, you will create a pest-free environment for outdoor entertaining and family fun.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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