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Fall, 2011 News for Homeowners 

In This Issue
ANTS IN WINTER
PLEASE DON'T TRANSPORT FIREWOOD!
FALL WEED CONTROL
OLD FASHIONED BEEF STEW
DO YOU KNOW THAT MOST HOME INSURANCE
DOESN'T COVER TERMITES?

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Greetings!

Contrary to what some folks may assume, pests don't just go away during fall and winter.  Bed bugs, ants, rodents, stored product pests, roaches, many species of spiders (including the Black Widow), just to mention a few, overwinter as adults and many remain active during those times.  The articles in this newsletter discuss some of the issues that you may face this year as unwanted guests, with bad manners, attempt to move to your home for warmth, shelter, water and food.
 
We've also included some helpful information, showing you what you can do to protect your yard and landscape from invasion by Fall and Winter germinating weeds.
Ants Invading in Winter?
Shouldn't they be hibernating? 
Argentine Ants on Horse Fly Carcass
Argentine Ants on Horse Fly, Image by Álvaro Rodríguez Alberich, Seville,  Spain
The short answer is no.  In California, like other mild winter states, ants continue on with reproduction, scouting, foraging and all their other activities, albeit at a slower pace.  Driven by a need for food and warmth some species of ants move into human habitations, where they take up residence.  It isn't uncommon, for instance, to find entire colonies of Argentine Ants living in walls or under slab read on
Please Don't Transport Firewood! 
FireplacePests and Diseases are Spreading Via Transported Firewood 

 

This fall and winter, as in the past, folks are engaging in the familiar tradition of gathering firewood to warm their homes with the glow of real wood fires.  It's a wonderful time honored activity but it does have a dark side:  Firewood can contain serious plant pests and diseases with the potential to wipe out entire species and forests.  These dangerous organisms are easily transported when firewood is moved from place to place, sometimes over long distances.

 

The problem of imported, exotic pests and diseases has attained alarming proportions.  In the Eastern and Midwestern United States it isn't unusual to see entire stands of dead and dying trees, victims of the emerald ash borer, Gypsy Moth, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Wooly Hemlock Adelgid and other pests.  In California large numbers of large, stately, native oak trees are dying, Read entire story

FALL WEED CONTROL
An ounce of Prevention.... 

Dandelions In Field

In northern California Fall and Winter are mild seasons during which a wide variety of seeds germinate and become established.  Since most of us spend these times indoors and pay little attention to our landscapes, these invasive plants grow and develop, unnoticed, providing us with a lot of yard work in Spring.  Here are some things you can do to reduce or prevent excessive weed growth on your property:

Read the full article

 

Contact us to schedule an evaluation and quote for weed and vegetation control treatment program.
Old Fashioned Beef Stew
One of the dishes I enjoy this time of year is beef stew.  And my favorite is an old family version that my grandmother used to make.  I've embellished it a bit.)  This is a true comfort food that's sure to warm you up on those crisp Autumn days.  The recipe incorporates some nutrition-packed ingredients popular since the first European settlers arrived on the North American continent.
 
Ingredients:Beef Stew
3 quarts beef stock 
2 lbs. beef stew meat
2 stalks celery
6 carrots
6 stewing onions
6 medium potatoes, not peeled
2 medium rutabagas
2 medium turnips
2 medium parsnips
1/4 cup parsley (if desired)
red wine
fresh chives
sour cream

 

Preparation:
Peel onions, carrots, rutabagas, turnips and parsnips and cut into desired sizes.  Cut potatoes in half.  Cut celery stalks to desired size pieces.

 

Cooking:
Brownstew meat in large pot (5 quart recommended).  When meat is browned add beef stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1/2 hour. Add wine vegetables, potatoes and parsley.  Cover and simmer for one hour or until desired tenderness.  If you wish, add rue to thicken.

 

Serve: garnished with a tablespoon of sour cream and a pinch of chives. 
 
Freeze left-over stew in serving size containers for quick meals.
 
 
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