Fervently Looked Forward To Fall Issue:
This
fall, keep your home maintenance costs down by planning your annual
budget early. “The easiest way to stay within your budget and keep your
home safe and looking great is to spread your home maintenance costs
throughout the year,” says Bill Duggan, host of Curb Appeal on HGTV.
Keep
plumbing running smoothly by making sure that all pipes are well
insulated before the dropping temperatures increase the risk of
freezing. If gone unchecked, repairs can be expensive, particularly in
winter when plumbing services are in high demand. Prevent the cold
from coming indoors by ensuring that your house is weather-tight. Caulk
the joints around doors and windows, or add weather stripping to keep
out chilly drafts.
Fall is also the best time to enhance your
landscape by putting trees and shrubs in the ground. Spruce up your
yard by planting pansies or bulbs and discover a colorful surprise when
springtime arrives. While beautifying your lawn, don’t forget to take
care of pests too. Fire ants alone cause over $2 billion in damage a
year. Prevent these pests this fall with professionally applied
TopChoice and enjoy a fire ant-free lawn for up to a full year.
Wet
weather from an active hurricane season means increased insect
activity, particularly fire ants. Homeowners and hurricane clean-up
crews should be aware of the increased risk of fire ant attacks this
season.
One of the most flood-resistant species in the world,
fire ants flourish in hurricane conditions. As water rises, fire ants
form a “survival ball,” with the queen safely protected inside, and
will float until they hit dry ground, sometimes miles away from their
original colony.
Research shows that fire ants use moist,
loose soil to create foraging tunnels throughout the top level of soil.
Active fire ants near the surface create the risk of severe stings.
Wet
soil helps activate TopChoice fire ant control, so that when wet
weather entices them to the surface, fire ants are more likely to come
into contact with the product. Exposed fire ants then transfer the TopChoice to the rest of the colony.
As
the new school year begins this fall, parents prepare their children by
purchasing pencils, notebooks, new backpacks and other classroom
necessities. Don’t forget your children’s walk to school where pesky
insects can be lurking beneath their feet.
When fall cools down,
fire ant activity heats up as temperatures become more bearable. In a
recent survey of medical professionals, four out of five said that fire
ant injuries they treated occurred in the patient's own backyard. By
treating your yard with TopChoice fire ant control, it will be a better
place to walk and play all school year long!
This
Halloween, fire ants will be up to their old tricks, turning lawns from
green to ghastly. While kids cut through lawns and sidewalks to
showcase their festive costumes, they may not be aware of the critters
lurking beneath their feet. An evening of fun while walking lawn to
lawn can quickly turn dangerous in the Southern states where fire ants
currently infest more than 325 million acres.
By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and happy Halloween:
- Investigate your lawn for eerie insects
– Visually inspect all areas of your property for fire ants cleverly
hiding their mounds on the edge of sidewalks and in mulch beds.
- Prevent fire ant tricks by hiding treats
– Fire ants can quickly blanket unattended food, especially pet food
bowls and any leftovers on the lawn or picnic table. Be sure to store
any birdseed or other animal food in airtight containers.
- Keep play areas fun, not frightening
– Place jungle gyms in an area of your yard that is away from dirt,
grass, trees or plant beds. Store firewood away from your house and
areas where children play.
- How to treat a ghastly sting –
Apply a cold compress and wash the area with soap and water. It is
normal to see a small blister or pustule at the site of the bite after
a few hours. He/she may be allergic if there is a breakout of hives, a
shortness of breath or light-headedness and should seek medical
attention immediately.
- Keep children free of boo-boos, seek professional advice
– If you think you have a fire ant problem, contact your local lawn
care or pest control professional and ask for TopChoice insecticide.
- Don’t let fire ants petrify your pets!
Just like young children, pets are defenseless to the sting of fire
ants. Feed pets and store foods in areas away from where fire ants
live, and check for mounds near pet kennels and play areas.
