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Top Notch Pest Control
231 E. Douglas Road
Suite 4
Oldsmar, FL 34677
813-855-9056
727-789-7292
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Greetings!
Welcome to the July edition of the Top Notch Pest Control Newsletter!
Summer is in full swing which also means dry wood termites are in full swarm! We've compiled some useful information to help you determine whether you're seeing ants swarm, or if you may be facing a potential termite infestation.
Don't forget, we've still got free tickets available to see the Clearwater Threshers play at home this season! Click on the baseball below to check out their calendar!
As always, we thank you for your business,
Michael and Mary Carli
Owners, Top Notch Pest Control |
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Hillsborough Co Ban Update
Commission Approves Regulations
As we told you last month, a Pinellas County ordinance became effective, thus banning the application and sale of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous during the summer months.
Hillsborough County was next to weigh the pros and cons of enacting a ban on the same fertilizers and yesterday, Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission approved regulations restricting homeowners from applying nitrogen-based fertilizers before heavy rains and at least 10 feet away from a body of water. 
Last year, the state Legislature passed a law requiring all local governments to adopt an ordinance that at least prohibited homeowners and commercial landscapers from applying the fertilizer prior to heavy rains. Counties with higher levels of polluted waters have the option to adopt even more stringent rules such as banning both the sale and application of fertilizer with nitrogen.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the summer-time ban or materials we use, don't hesitate to call us. We're more than happy to help answer any questions you may have.
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Dry Wood Termites
Swarming Season is Here!
As
a homeowner or building manager, nothing good can come from termites.
Termites
chew through billions of dollars in damage each year and this season, neighborhoods
are seeing a surge in dry wood termites.
While
generally difficult to initially detect, dry wood termites are more apt to
swarm during the warm summer months  of April to September. Swarming also occurs when reproductive
males and females exit the colonies in an attempt to build a new colony.
While
a homeowner may initially detect the presence of termites when they swarm or if
fecal pellets, wings or dead termites are discovered, inspecting for dry wood
termites and determining the extent of an infestation require experience.
Many
people think of the huge circus tents when they think 'termite treatment and in reality,
tenting an entire structure is considered a last resort. The accessibility to a structure's bare wood will best determine
the size of a possible infestation. Because dry wood termites feed on wood from
the inside out, damaged wood can be difficult to detect. Older homes are
especially susceptible to the mighty pests, since building  codes and
pre-treatment options have changed through the years.
There's been a flurry of activity, especially in the South Tampa region,
where homes are older and more likely to still have original wood. Building practices evolved
through the years and structures nowadays utilize pre-treated wood and
supplies.
Cautious
consumers are also paying attention to the warnings and often begin soil
treatments before laying a foundation.
While
dry wood termite colonies remain rather small and out of sight, they actually
take roughly 7 years to produce a swarm, which, by then, can cause some serious
structure damage.
Residents should inspect window sills and doorways for obvious signs of
destruction such as wings, dead termites, or their distinctive, hexagonal fecal
matter. If you suspect an infestation, there is never a fee for an initial inspection, but that residents
should be wary of common  misconceptions. One popular scheme is where a salesperson will come to your door and say that one of the neighboring homes is
being treated for termites and you need treatment as well because the
colony will jump to your property. This excuse has circulated for years. If a particular home or building is properly treated, the colony and its eggs
won't be alive to make the move.
If
you suspect a swarm may, in fact, be termites, reliable insect identification
is imperative. Dry wood termites
can vary from a light brown to dark, almost black-brown and will have 2 body
segments with a thick waist. They have 2 sets of equally-sized wings,
whereas ants on the other hand, are black in color, have 3 segments, a thin waist and 2 sets of
differently-sized wings. Their antennae will also differ slightly.
To schedule a termite inspection of
your home or property at no charge, call us at 813-855-9056 or 727-789-7292.
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Free Baseball Tickets
Tickets Still Available!
We've gotten great response to our offer of free Clearwater Threshers Tickets!
Seats are still available if you haven't been able to take advantage of our offer yet! Once again, we're offering free tickets to the Clearwater Threshers' home games.
Click on the Top Notch Baseball to the right to check their schedule, pick a date (or two - they're first come, first served!) and give Mary a call at either number (813-855-9056 or 727-789-7292) to reserve your seats!
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Top Notch is Top Notch!
Oldsmar Business of the Month
We're so happy to share our latest award with you!
On Tuesday, July 6th, the Oldsmar Chamber of Commerce named Top Notch Pest Control, Business of the Month for July 2010!
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About Us
Top
Notch Pest Control was founded in 1990 in Oldsmar, Florida and is dead
serious when it comes to safeguarding your family, home, business and
landscaping from Florida's wide range of invasive insects, roving rodents and
larger vermin such as squirrels, raccoons and birds.
Top Notch's professional technicians are passionate about
pest control while protecting and preserving your environment with a 'Less
Materials, Less Often' approach.
Our on-time Bug Experts pride themselves on dependable service with deadly
results.
Air
Force Veteran and Entomology expert Michael Carli and his wife Mary own and
operate Top Notch Pest Control out of Oldsmar, Florida, however their client roster
serves beyond the 7 counties of west central Florida.
Active in the communities they help to preserve, the Carlis
sit on the Advisory Board of Directors for the North Pinellas YMCA as well as
sponsor and participate in numerous fundraising and volunteering efforts
throughout the year. In 2001, the
Clearwater Chamber of Commerce named Top Notch Pest Control 'Business of the
Year.'
For more information
on services provided by Top Notch Pest Control, or to schedule a free estimate,
call 727-789-7292 or 813-855-9056, or visit their web site at www.WeKill.com.
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