Service Pest Control

05/22/2023

Not only do dragonflies control mosquito populations – they help control other bugs:
https://gardeningsoul.com/10-plants-that-attract-dragonflies-for-mosquito-control/

04/04/2023

🚲🚦🚶‍♀️🛑 As we celebrate , let's remember that bicyclists are subject to the same road rules motorists.

It's important to go with the traffic flow, obey all signs/signals, & watch for pedestrians. Let's keep our roads safe for everyone! 🌟👍

12/31/2022

Some knowledge for after the recent cold spell.

TREATING COLD - DAMAGED PLANTS
Wondering how to care for your plants that may have been damaged by the recent freezes. You may be tempted to prune them, but please,DON’T PRUNE them yet. Read below to see the best way to help them recover from any cold damage.
Water
After a freeze, check the soil around your plants. Plants may not be getting the water they need if the soil has dried out or if the water in the soil is frozen.
Watering the area can help defrost the soil and provide your plants with an available source of moisture. Even injured plants need water.
Fertilizer
While you may be tempted to add a little fertilizer to your plants to help speed their recovery hold off. If you fertilize too early you could encourage new growth before cold weather has gone. It's best to wait until spring to begin fertilizer application. Once the danger of frost has passed, an application of fertilizer can help speed recovery.
Pruning
Don't prune cold-damaged plants right away. The dead foliage looks bad, but will help insulate plants from further injury. In the spring, assess the extent of the damage by scraping the bark with your fingernail. Cold-injured wood will be black or brown under the bark. To be certain where to prune, wait until plants begin to sprout new growth.
Herbaceous plants like impatiens and begonias that are damaged by the cold may collapse. If this happens, it's best to cut them down and remove the plants to prevent fungal or bacterial problems from arising as they decay.
Lawn
Seeing your lawn turn brown during the winter can be worrying for some homeowners; however, this is a normal part of your lawn's winter dormancy. Come spring time your lawn should rebound and begin producing new green growth.
But when hard freezes hit, your turfgrass may be injured. If temperatures suddenly fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, your lawn may be permanently damaged. The grass may initially appear wilted, and then turn to a whiteish or brown color. It may mat to the ground and smell putrid. If your lawn does not recover in the spring, you may have to replace some of the grass with sod pieces or plugs.

Learn More at Gardening Solutions: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/treating-cold-damage.html?fbclid=IwAR3Yjaqq1h9ohqcBAgrk1RX3ZYGkWz5q8cOabNpkcK9aqh1FLy9bzTKaJks

12/10/2022

Something very interesting not to share!

Did you know that if holly (Ilex aquifolium) finds its leaves are being nibbled by deer, it switches genes on to make them spiky when they regrow? So on taller holly trees, the upper leaves (which are out of reach) have smooth edges, while the lower leaves are prickly. Cool info and photo from u/dirtybird971 on Reddit.

08/13/2022

It's Summer Time! One of the best childhood memories of summer is fireflies!!! There are 56 species found in Florida. These amazing creatures are actually beetles.
The firefly is able to produce bioluminescence—its famous light—with chemicals in its body, luciferin and luciferase. They use this light to attract mates, and each species has a different pattern of flashes.
Here are some tips to create an firefly-friendly environment.
Learn more about Fireflies on Gardening Solutions:
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/gardening-with-wildlife/fireflies.html

08/09/2022

Cute and fuzzy to look at but don't touch this puss caterpillar as it has venomous spines. Photo: Joel Mathis Learn more about this curious creature in our EDIS document: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN976

07/31/2022

Great illustration from Just Keep Thinking showing the differences between a butterfly and a moth. Click on the link to read more: http://butterfly-lady.com/differences-between-butterflies-and-moths/

06/26/2022

It's Pollinator Week! Bats also help with pollination!

06/22/2022

Some of the pollinators favorite  flowers 🌺  hummingbirds and butterflies cannot resist these 🎊🌸❤️🌺

06/14/2022

Know the difference! Be safe.

🥵 The summer weather is here and for the next three days, our heat index is over 100 degrees. Here are a few tips to stay safe from the heat:

☀️ Drink water and wear sunscreen.
☀️ Wear light clothing.
☀️ Avoid high energy activities during the midday heat.