Winter is coming to an end, spring is right around the corner, and with it comes some of the worst pests of the year. Biting insects, stinging pests, roaches, rodents, and everything in between can wreak havoc in and around your home if preventative measures are not taken. But here’s the good news: You can be ready!   By being proactive now, you can get a head start on eliminating and preventing these pests. Ultimately creating a pest-free environment for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy all spring and summer long.   Remove Any Standing Water Mosquitoes lay their eggs in ..read more

How many times has your backyard barbecue been interrupted by annoying insects either trying to get your food or get at you? We can prepare for this by buying commercial repellents but can you say with confidence you’ve had success with them. Not to mention, these commercial repellents use nasty chemicals with unknown long-term effects. Here are some DIY bug sprays that keep bugs at bay without any health risks. Ant Repellent Ants are a pain in the neck when they find their way into your home. You have to turn into a detective to find out exactly where they’re coming from. Thankfully there’s a ..read more

It’s hard to avoid salt in Ohio in the winter. We need it to keep our roads clear and safe but it also an annoyance as it gets tracked literally everywhere. But did you know that salt can damage our trees and shrubs? That’s right. Salt can lead to a host of problems for your plants. It Dehydrates The Soil When sodium chloride gets into the soil it can cause a lot of damage to your plants. Salt ions latch onto water molecules and hold on to them so that it cannot be absorbed by roots. It Poisons the Soil Salt also decreases the amount of potassium and phosphorous in the soil which leads to soi ..read more

Do you have water collecting in your yard after it rains? Is your soil so heavy with clay that water permanently sits on top? Don’t panic. There are several creative ways to get rid of standing water or to disguise it as something else. Here’s a list of some DIY landscaping ideas Draw up a Drainage Plan Depending on how complicated a task lies before you, you might need to draw up a sketch of your yard to better determine which course of action to take. Figure out the high and low spots of your yard to figure out the best place to drain water. Make a note with arrows to show which direction w ..read more

Are you looking to spruce up your house or looking for a great gift idea? Have you ever considered a houseplant? I know what you’re thinking: “I can’t remember nor do I have time to take care of a houseplant.” Well, you are in luck because here is a list of 5 hardy houseplants that can do just fine without your attention but give you all the enjoyment a houseplant can. Anthurium Anthuriums prefer well-lit areas but not direct sunlight. This is the perfect plant for a bathroom as they enjoy hot and humid temperatures. Its bright red, heart-shaped flowers can last for eight weeks or more, givin ..read more

Snow is beautiful to look at, but a pain to drive in. It’s fun to play in, but it’s a nuisance to shovel. You might get a snow day, or maybe your car gets stuck on your way to work. No matter how you look at it, there are benefits and there are drawbacks when it comes to snow. Now think about snow on your shrubs. Is it beneficial, or harmful? We’re here to answer that question. You have invested your hard earned time and money into your shrubs this year, so knowing how to best care for them in the winter is essential! Let’s first look at the benefits to snow on your shrubs: Benefit #1: Snow ..read more

As the cold temperatures roll in, your pets and home are at risk of a potential flea infestation. This is because there is no stage of life (egg, larvae, pupae, or adult) where a flea can survive in freezing cold temperatures for a sustained period of time. So, when it gets cold outside, the fleas look to come inside, using your pet as their host. Once inside, the female flea is able to lay around 50 eggs a day for over three months straight. At this point, it’s only a matter of time before you have a flea infestation on your hands. This is why it is important to know the signs of a potential ..read more

The days are getting shorter and colder. It’s that time of year when most of us wait out the cold months inside where it’s warm. Before you hibernate for the winter, there are some essential steps that should be taken in order to make sure your yard and your house are protected. Irrigation System A sprinkler system is the heart of any well-maintained yard. It provides year-round water ensuring your yard looks its best which is why it is important to call someone to winterize your pipes. Water expands when it freezes, causing the pipes to rupture and burst underground. This can be very costly ..read more

You have invested your hard earned time and money into some beautiful trees and shrubs. Your landscape is everything you’ve wanted it to be (and more!) But now winter is fast approaching and with winter comes harsh winds, heavy snow, frozen grounds, and all things harmful to your trees and shrubs. Here is some good news: Winter does not have to result in the demise of your trees and shrubs. Instead, there are measures you can take to preserve and protect them so they’re even more beautiful in the spring. Here are 3 of those measures: Add Mulch To Conserve Moisture And Protect Roots As the tem ..read more

What do Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Anaplasmosis have in common? They are all tick-borne diseases that are becoming more and more common in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, not all ticks slow down in the fall/winter. Some ticks, such as the black-legged tick (more commonly known as the deer tick) are only getting started in the fall. Deer ticks are out, active, and they are looking for a meal. Thankfully, you can be prepared! Here are some measures you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your beloved pets from coming in contact with ticks. By t ..read more