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Steve's Lawn & Landscaping  Service, Inc.  Newsletter

Spring                                                                                       April 2011

Think Spring!

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I'm not even going to mention the weather!

  

Any day now. . . 

Below is some information about our spring services. Go to article.  First, however, I want to pass along some important information that might save you some suffering.

   

Ticks 

When we had that too-short stretch of nice weather a couple of weeks ago, my kids came in with ticks!  Then, a number of customers called me with the same story. Morris County ranked number one in New Jersey in 2009 for the number of Lyme disease cases and I count among those cases.  I've had Lyme Disease, and it was not fun!  Luckily, I have no lasting after effects, but I've heard many horror stories about chronic problems caused by Lyme Disease.  All tics carry diseases.  Lyme is the one we hear about the most, but there are many others that are similar.  

 

TickA few years ago, Morris County held a workshop for Certified Applicators on the best control practices for ticks.  We attended this conference.  I was fascinated to learn that the people who study these things conducted  tests over the course of many years on remote islands in the Carolinas.  Scientists were able to study ticks under isolated conditions on the island, to better understand their lifecycle and to test methods on how to control them.

 

Ticks don't die in the winter. They overwinter in organic matter, like leaves and brush, in the shady areas bordering your property, around old wood piles, and under decks.  They also favor ground cover plants, particularly pachysandra.

 

On the first warm days of Spring, and then all summer long, they crawl out from under the leaves and start looking for a host so that they can go back into the leaves to lay their eggs.  People, dogs, cats, deer, birds, chipmunks, squirrels  etc. are all ideal hosts for ticks.

 

So, how do you fight back?  A few timely sprayings of their favorite hiding places with a safe, stable insecticide and by cleaning up the brush, woodpiles and leaves, will help keep your yard tick free.

 

Just remember, when you and your family are out working or playing in the yard check yourself, your kids and your pets when you come inside.  And don't be fooled by the season,  I got Lyme disease on a warm day in February. 

 

Take your clothes off in the garage and shower or bathe right away.  Use a scrub brush on the areas of your body you can't see and have someone perform a scan before you dress. (You usually can't feel them crawling on you!  I had 11 on my arm at once and could not feel them.)

 

If you find a tick embedded in your skin, you have about 12 hrs before they infect you, but always play it safe and call your doctor. You can save the tick in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for identification if necessary.  You don't always get a red bulls-eye rash and you don't always get really sick.  I just felt tired and depressed, but never missed a day of work.  However, I know of someone who's mind was affected so extremely that although she's only in her 40's, she is permanently disabled and needs home health care because she can't remember to eat.

 

A few notes: 

  • When you go for a physical, have them check for Lyme.
  • I use K9 ADVANTIX for my dog because it's a repellant.  I found with Front Line, another tick product for cats and dogs, that my dog brought them in to the house then they jumped off the dog and hopped onto us!  I found one on my baby's neck!
  • Get your leaves cleaned up early and make an 8ft to 10ft clean border along the wood line.
  • I spray my yard a few times a year; not the whole yard, just the areas that need it.  Ticks do not generally live in a maintained lawn or mulch bed.  
  • Below is a coupon to get you started!
     

Our trained applicator will spray your yard at the correct intervals over the course of the year and usually for less than $100.00.  It's well worth protecting your family from the sometimes irreversible effects of tick-borne diseases.  I'm very concerned about using sprays in my yard  with my four kids and our beloved dog, but I'm confident that when applied correctly, at the right dosage, the benefits out weigh the risk of getting Lyme disease.

 

Enjoy the Spring, whatever it brings!

Thanks,

Steve

 

This is what we use: Synthetic Pyrethroid Insecticides

Man-made Pyrethrins

Natural pyrethrin products pose far less risks to mammals than Organophosphate, Carbamate insecticide chemicals, but have no residual or long term control qualities.  This combination of safety and no residual is great for fogging warehouses and restaurants, using in bug bombs and animal control products (flea shampoos, flea sprays). Over the last few decades, chemists have been able to improve on Mother Nature's pyrethrin insecticides in better, odorless and more stable pesticide formulations.  

 

Please check out our website for additional information, pictures of recently completed projects, and special offers!  www.steveslandscaping.net 
 

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Spring Plans!
It's been a slow start this Spring - Mother Nature, as usual, just won't cooperate with our business plans!  But we've learned to make the best of whatever weather conditions we face, and really, what choice do we have?
 
SpringSpring Work-   

The crews are out working whenever the weather permits!  Our technician is in the process of applying the first application of fertilizer to green up your lawn and prevent weeds.  Lawn cutting will begin later this month, depending on the weather, and the sprinkler contracts are in the mail.

 

Contracts - 

Please return your maintenance contracts as soon as possible.  We're setting up our routes and we don't want to miss anybody!  Plus, the earlier we get the first fertilization and weed-control application down, the better. 

Help us save trees by allowing us to automatically debit your checking or credit card accounts - our transactions are secure and are administered by a trusted third-party.  Please contact us for more details.

 

Spring Services -

This was a tough winter on lawns.  If you are looking to overseed your lawn, we have  to wait until the weather warms up so that the ground temperature is above 60 degrees.  That means that we are on time for applying the pre-emergent fertilizer treatment and for clean-ups and de-thatching (in fact, it is still a little wet for de-thatching in some yards).  Let us know what you want and we will make sure the timing is appropriate.

 

Estimates -  

We are in the process of completing estimates for many types of work - everything from cutting the lawn to building a patio and outdoor kitchen/living space.  Please call today if you need an estimate.  If we can complete our review of your property without requiring you to be present, we will do so and provide a written estimate via email.  If not, the appropriate individual will call you to set up an appointment to meet and discuss your project.  In either case, we appreciate your patience!

[email protected]

catcher's mitt
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.
~Maya Angelou
In This Issue
Spring Plans
Facebook
Reminder!
New Service!
Phone:
973-627-2797 x1
Fax:
973-586-4888
  

List of Services 

  Seasonal Lawn Service

Fertilization Programs

 Outdoor Living Spaces

Tree & Shrub Sprays

 Flower Bed Maintenance

Fire Pits, Outdoor Fireplaces, Pizza Ovens

 Spring & Fall Clean-Ups

Putting Greens

 Personal Gardening Service

Mulch, Stones, Top Soil

Landscaping & Plantings

Sprinkler Installation & Service

 Retaining Walls

Patios, Walks, Driveways

 Sports Netting

Landscape Lighting

 Electric Dog Fences

Grading & Drainage Solutions

Snowplowing

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 NJ Licenses:
Pesticide:
#94563A
Contractor: #13VH03889600
Irrigation:
#0017528
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Please return your Seasonal Lawn Maintenance Contract as soon as possible to hold your place on our schedule!  Contact us if you have any questions or concerns!

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New! Pay by check, online!
 
We have contracted with Intuit to allow you to set up a secure account to pay by check, online.  This saves you a check and a stamp.  It's convenient and free.

 

Just enter the following URL in your browser:

 

https://www.intuitbillpay
.com/steveslawnlandscapi
nginc.

(Please note: the final period must be included in the address or the link won't work!)


Save
$10.00 
 
On First Tick Spray
Sign up for tick control spray and save $10.00 on your first application. Five applications over the course of the season, timed with the weather and the life cycle of the ticks, are recommended.   coupon
Offer Expires: May 1, 2011   Top