May 2014

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Nicholas Neboshynsky, President/CEO
Imagine this. You're tired; it's been a long day. You crawl into bed, turn out the light and suddenly you hear it. Incessant buzzing in your ear makes it impossible to fall asleep. One mosquito has found its way inside your home. Or, you wake up one morning and find a line of ants marching across your counter. Yes, as much as we love nicer weather, it also brings not-so-nice bugs into our home. We've included safe and environmentally safe ideas to squelch the encroaching hoards.

 

You can always call us to seal up any bug entry points or trim the bushes near your home - or for those other projects you've been putting off!

 

We will be closing the office at noon on Friday, May 23 and be closed on Monday for Memorial Day. We return to work on Tuesday, May 27.

 


Nicholas Neboshynsky

Improvement Zone

(443) 221-4661




 

Can Your Home Weather the Swarm?

  

    

(BPT) - People are welcoming spring with open arms after the mountains of snow and freezing temperatures experienced across much of the country this past winter, but along with the sunshine comes the other less desirable signs of the season. Mosquito eggs start to hatch, termite swarms look for new homes, and stinging insects begin buzzing.


The National Pest Management Association reminds homeowners to pest-proof their homes this season 
and to learn more about the most common pests in their area and what attracts them. Whether it's ants, mosquitoes, ticks or wasps, the NPMA suggests these tips for preventing a wide variety of pests from sneaking indoors.

* Trim trees and bushes around the home. Low hanging branches and overgrown bushes can act as bridges for ants, termites, rodents and even nuisance wildlife. When plants start to grow in the spring, be sure to trim back areas where they might touch the home's exterior or the roof.

* Repair small cracks and damage in the siding and roof. Pest proofing is one situation when you should sweat the small stuff. Rodents can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and they are one of the biggest household pests. Also, damage from snow and ice may only be seen weeks after a storm when the last snow pile melts.

* Keep garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. Nuisance wildlife and stinging insects are attracted to garbage if it is not properly sealed. All trash should be in bags or sealed bins and taken regularly to the curb or dumpster for disposal.

* Partner with a pest professional. Whether you have experienced a pest infestation in the past or not, consider working with a professional to establish a maintenance plan to prevent pests or help find and seal possible entry points. If you suspect you have an infestation, a professional can inspect your home, properly identify the problem and recommend the best course of action.

Visit pestworld.org to find a licensed pest professional in your area.

 

 

Create a "Bug-Resistant" Planter

 

 

There are a number of plants that are known to help repel bugs. A great way, for those you with a green thumb (and those with only a lighter-shade-of-green thumb) to make your patio or yard more peaceful, is to give these plants residence on your property.

 

1. Lemon Balm: This hardy herb can also be crushed and rubbed on your skin to act as insect repellent.  It is part of the mint family, and has a 

Planter contains citronella, catnip, marigolds, ageratum, and other plants in this homemade planter. Click the image for more information.

number of herbal uses. For more information of lemon balm's many uses, go to Gerson Institute.

 

 

2. Citronella: Citronella is especially helpful in preventing flies from invading your space (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_oil).  It can be planted as a grass, but beware, this grass is a spreader and can take over your area if not contained (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbopogon). 

 

3. Catnip: In 1999, CBSNews published a story claiming that a study found Catnip to be 100 times more effective in roach prevention than DEET. City dwellers, this could be something to note as summer (and roaches) creep into our lives... http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cats-bliss-is-roachs-blight/

 

4. Marigolds: These annuals are helpful in deterring mosquitoes. Keep them in a planter that gets a lot of sun near your doors or windows to help ward mosquitoes from flying into your house.  http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/)

  

5. Ageratum: This is another good one to keep nearby if mosquitoes are a problem.  These annuals can be planted in poor soil, and emit a particular offensive smell for mosquitoes. (http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/ 

 

About Improvement Zone

Improvement Zone, LLC is a family-owned company catering to the discerning homeowner seeking quality home repair and maintenance work. Our ties to Annapolis reach back over 30 years and we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area. We strive to establish ourselves as the premier home maintenance company in the area through excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service.

 

We have the knowledge, expertise and experience needed to make your home the best it can be. As we work with our customers, we offer that most precious commodity, the gift of time. We understand that superior customer service must be the center of our business and strive to exceed expectations every day.

 

Improvement Zone
(443) 221-4661
[email protected]
www.improvement-zone.com