Think Spring!
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.
A 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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