Insect activity is a serious problem for Leyland Cyprus trees, according to pest control experts. Because this tree is a conifer and not a deciduous tree, it makes it an uninviting host for most insects. However, it is not altogether out of harm’s way when it comes to insects. Bagworms and spider mites are two of the most menacing bugs. Their presence can cause discoloration, defoliation and sometimes even death if they are left untreated and allowed to continually feed and breed on and within the Leyland Cypruss.

Bagworms are a real problem because with each generation, the infestation becomes larger and larger. A female bagworm lays between 500 and 1,000 eggs before she dies. When the bagworm larvae emerge, they either remain on the host tree or they will spin a silken thread and “fly” to a nearby tree or plant. Because of their ability to transfer to other plants, bagworms not only pose a threat to the Leyland Cyprus, but to all nearby trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, only a few generations of bagworms can annihilate an entire landscape. While the larvae cocoon in the bags they create, they feed on the surface of the leaves, stripping the leaf of its epidermis, or the skin of the leaf.

As they develop into caterpillars, entire branches of the Leyland Cyprus can become completely defoliated. Pest control experts say it is easier to control bagworm infestations by manually removing the bags they form in the early spring or fall before the larvae have hatched. However, if the Leyland Cyprus is too large for this to take place, the tree can be sprayed with an effective insecticide to eliminate current populations. If the bagworms have already hatched, they are more difficult to control with sprays, which makes preventative care so important.

Call your local pest control authority for more information on protecting the Leyland Cyprus from bagworms.

Ants can be a frustrating problem when it comes to them invading your home. Ants can smell food from many miles away, so if there are any crumbs, food left out or spills, ants will find a way into your home to clean up after you. You can always rely on baits, but if you have children or pets in the home, here are a few natural remedies that are effective but safe for the entire household.

Grits. Yep, that’s right. Use more food to get rid of ants by using quick grits. The end result for the ants isn’t pleasant, as the grits expand in their stomachs and cause the ants to die. You can sprinkle the grits in any area where you have notice ants and voila! They will be gone.

Boric acid. Boric acid can is effective, but Detroit pest control specialists warn that you should be careful not to inhale the fumes from the acid as it can cause breathing problems. The toxicity is low to humans, but if you have asthma or other breathing complications, you may want to try one of the other methods. Janitorial experts recommend mixing two parts of something sweet with one part boric acid.

Lemons. Make a concoction of half lemon juice and half water in a spray bottle. Spray around areas where ants frequent, and as well as areas where they may gain entrance to your home such as windows, doors, etc.

Spices. Pest control experts say there are a wide variety of spices that can be used to eliminate ants; however, you have to strategically make a line of the spice that will make it hard for the ants to travel around. Peppermint oil, black pepper, cayenne pepper and cinnamon can all be used to get rid of your ant problem.

Pest control authorities say all these remedies will be effective, but the best way to keep ants out is by cleaning up crumbs and spills as soon as possible and not leaving food out.

Anyone who is an animal owner probably knows that dogs and cats will eat the strangest things – including bugs. In fact, in my house, if there’s a fly, all I have to do is alert my cat to this fact (if he isn’t already on the job) and he will flit about the house until he catches that fly with his paw and quickly maneuver the insect into his mouth where he happily chews this buzzing treat. It’s gross, but honestly, I have no problem with it.

Letting our pets do our bug hunting for us is an all-too-easy task and you may not see any harm in the habit. In most cases, you both win – you get rid of the bug and the pet gets an apparently tasty snack. However, we may not consider that these insects could be hazardous to our furry friends.

If you or your neighbors have your lawn or landscape treated by a Detroit pest control company, there may be areas where you need to keep your family pet away from so he doesn’t come into contact with the chemicals. But what if insects that have had contact with the treated plants get into your home? They may have remnants of the Detroit pest control spray on them which could pose a serious threat to a cat or dog if ingested.

If your yard is being treated by a Detroit pest control company, you may want to ask about child- and pet-friendly applications. If those aren’t available, take steps to ensure your pet stays away from the area and for the time being, and dissuade them when possible from eating insects. This might mean you’ll actually have to do the bug-squashing yourself and your pup or kitty might get angry that you took away the hunt, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Mowing might seem like the simplest of Detroit lawn care tasks, but it is actually quite important to know how to properly mow your Detroit lawn to ensure the best results. Over-mowing or mowing at the wrong times or height can have detrimental effects on your Detroit lawn. Here are some Detroit lawn care tips on proper mowing procedures.

Most Detroit lawns are dormant during the winter months, so once spring rolls around, it is time to drag the mower out and get back into the routine. But when you should begin mowing? Lawn care technicians recommend keeping the mower stored away until the ground is thoroughly thawed. Once the ground is soft, that means that grass is growing and mowing it will not cause any damage to the crowns or the shoots.

Most people know that allowing the excess clippings to remain on the Detroit lawn is beneficial because as the clippings deteriorate, they become natural fertilizer for the soil below. However, for the first few cuts, attach the bag and gather the clippings. Allow your Detroit lawn to grow and breathe without the weight of clippings on top of it.

Lawn care professionals recommend mowing your Detroit lawn at a slightly shorter height than you may typically have your mower set. If you normally mow at three inches, take it down to two. This will allow your Detroit lawn better stimulation to get the season started off right.

If you have any questions about spring mowing, contact your local Detroit lawn care professionals.

Pest control professionals often find that when they’re called out to a job where the homeowner is complaining of excess bugs, the simple is actually quite simple: be mindful of your garbage can.

Even if your garbage can in under a sink or somewhere else that isn’t out in the open, bugs can find a way in because the odors are still being emitted. Pest control experts recommend never throwing any organic material into the waste bin. If you are not able to dispose of the material outside, place the food in a sealable plastic bag (such as a freezer bag) and then dispose of it. Even better, you can place these materials in a plastic bag and add them to your compost pile later on. If you choose this option, however, make sure your compost pile is far away from your home and cover the food scraps with leaves or dirt to prevent attracting unwanted animals.

Make sure you change your garbage bag often. Do not simply empty the contents and leave the bag inside the can. Replace the bag with a new one that will not have food particles on it that will further attract bugs.

Pest control experts also recommend cleaning out your garbage can with bleach from time to time. If the bag has leaked or a piece of food missed the bag and went down the side, the odors are still present and can send out an inviting signal to Detroit pests.

Pest control against bugs can be as simple as making that extra effort to be choosy about what garbage goes into your garbage can.

As the cooler temperatures arrive and you’ll soon be exchanging your leaf rake for snow shovel, consider a few simple leaf raking tips that will help winterize your Detroit lawn while increasing your chances for a better spring green-up.

How well you maintain the leaves in your Detroit lawn is a large indicator for how healthy and prepared your Detroit lawn will be for next season. When neglected, leaves can suffocate and rob turf of sunlight, water and other essential nutrients. For every leaf that lies on top of your turf, multiple blades of grass beneath it run the risk of browning or even worse, developing patches of mold or fungus depending on how low temperatures drop in your area.

Depending on your yard, raking once a week should be sufficient in at least warding off fungus and disease from developing in your Detroit lawn. If you do step up to twice a week, try to keep it to a light raking as it will be gentler on your Detroit lawn. Raking is a natural form of dethatching but a little layer of thatch build up is actually healthy for your turf. Just be sure the second raking doesn’t over do it.

If you want to save time and utilize leaves for compost, a mulching mower is a smart investment. A mulching mower can be very beneficial to your Detroit lawn as it will chop up and shred leaves to easily decompose in the soil. This granulizes leaves into a natural fertilizer to be absorbed into your Detroit lawn.

Check back next week for more information about the absorbing of nutrients in your Detroit lawn.

Termites are not the only insect that can cause serious damage to the structure of your home; woodworms will bore into the wood of your house, furniture and other areas where they are afforded a woody protection.

Pest control experts say woodworms often go undetected for years because the adults, also known as Furniture Beetles, will lay their eggs in the wood of your furniture. Once the larvae have emerged, they will bore into the wood and remain there for a few years. They will also leave the furniture and get into the structural wood of your home, where their boring can cause serious damage.

The best pest control method to protect against woodworms is to not bring used furniture into your home. Pest control specialists say this is typically how most homes become infested with woodworms. However, the adult woodworm can fly and if a window or door is left open, they can easily fly into your home. If you notice that woodworms are present in your home, your local pest control company can apply a special insecticide. They can also apply or suggest polishes that are designed to protect your furniture from woodworm invasions. If you have windows that you like to keep open, make sure they have screens so adult woodworms cannot fly into your home.

If you notice holes in your wooden furniture, that is a sure sign that woodworms are present. It is important to contact your pest control company quickly before these insects can cause problems for your home’s structure.

It’s not just an old wives tale; vinegar really does get rid of weeds, if you know how to properly use it.
Vinegar is a popular choice among homeowners who are in favor of a more organic method to get rid of pesky weeds. Lawn care specialists offer organic weed control products, but when weeds sprout in between applications, you may have to take weed control into your own hands.
So what kind of vinegar is effective against weeds? If you’ve tried this method before, you may have been disappointed when the only result you got was a very vinegary garden. The reason your previous attempt may have been ineffectual was because you didn’t use the right kind of vinegar. Lawn care studies have shown that in order to be effective against weeds, the vinegar must possess a 20 percent concentration of acetic acid. Now that you know what kind of vinegar to use, how should it be applied?
Most people spray organic weed control products directly on the plants, thinking it won’t do any harm. In most cases, this is probably true. However, when using vinegar, you’re using an acidic liquid that can remove the waxy layer of defense plant leaves have, leaving the plant susceptible to dehydration. The second application alternative is to drench the soil directly below the plant. However, this also presents complications as the pH level of the soil is lowered to a level that plants cannot survive. The plants won’t immediately die, because the acidifying effects will last for up to a year. The plant may have one last period of bloom, which is when you should apply lime to neutralize the soil.
Vinegar might take a little more planning than some other organic weed control products, but it is still an inexpensive method to eliminate weeds without posing harm to the environment. Lawn care experts suggest applying the vinegar on warm, dry days. If it happens to rain immediately after you apply the vinegar application, you’ll need to re-apply because the original application will have been washed away.
If you aren’t sure if this is the right solution, consult your local Detroit lawn care company for the best organic weed control solution.

Most people have heard of the West Nile Virus (WNV), but may not know exactly what it is, how it is transmitted, what the symptoms are and who is more at-risk.

West Nile Virus is found in the majority of temperate areas of North America and mostly affects birds. WNV is transmitted from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes; however, mosquitoes can also infect humans through their bites. Pest control specialists say although you should take being infected by WNV seriously, only one percent of those individuals who have been infected will incur severe symptoms.

Most cases of WVN occur in the late summer months and early fall. Pest control experts say those infected will likely experience a fever, skin irritations, swollen lymph glands, headaches and body aches. More severe cases will suffer from a high fever, neck stiffness, tremors, confusion, a dazed state, convulsions and possibly paralysis.

Most people will only experience mild symptoms, but individuals with a weakened immune system, people over the age of 50 and infants are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms because of the inability of their immune system to fight off the infection. Regardless of your age or the state of your immune system, if you have been bitten by a mosquito and begin to feel any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately.

Unfortunately there is no vaccine against West Nile Virus. Most infected individuals will have to be hospitalized until the infection subsides. To avoid possible infection, contact your local Detroit pest control company to find out how you can protect your property against mosquitoes.

Pest control specialists say neem oil is a popular choice among homeowners who prefer an organic Detroit pesticide that targets harmful insects. The oil is derived from the seeds of neem trees and is used as a Detroit pesticide, in skin care products, as fertilizer and for many other uses. When used as a Detroit pesticide, it is safe and effective, and is an ideal choice when you want to protect other animals or children who could possibly be exposed.

Pest control professionals say neem oil is also preferable because it typically does not affect beneficial insects such as ladybugs or bees. Its benefit comes from deterring specific insects from propagating or completing their life cycle by affecting their hormone cycle, but it also kills whiteflies, Japanese beetles, mites, aphids and other foliage-ingesting insects. As the neem oil works to eliminate nuisance Detroit pests from your garden, it also acts as a fungicide. Neem oil has been proven effective in preventing or correcting mildew, leaf spot, rust, black spot and many more fungi that can have detrimental effects on your plants.

Neem oil is pretty simple to make, but there are some places that sell it so you don’t have to find the ingredients yourself. However you decide to get the neem oil, it is important to apply it in the early morning or late afternoon so as to avoid hurting valuable insects. Pest control experts say neem oil can suffocate them or cause serious harm. It is recommended you spray neem oil when bugs are inactive just to be on the safe side. Once the neem oil has completely dried, it will no longer be a threat to the bugs you want in your garden, but only those insects that chew or suck on the foliage. When you spray the neem oil, be sure to thoroughly spray all plant surfaces, including underneath leaves until the plant is completely saturated. This process needs to be repeated every seven to 14 days.

Call your local Detroit pest control company and inquire as to whether they use neem oil or other organic Detroit pesticides.