Does my landscaper need a license to put fertilizer on my grass?

Question:

Does my landscaper need a license to put fertilizer on my grass. I have been using the same person for the past 5 years I have never bothered to ask him as I did not think it was necessary, my husband mentioned this as someone who he works with said they need a license, if this is the case what happens when you buy fertilizer from the hardware store and apply it yourself?

Answer:
In Connecticut and Rhode Island you need a license if the fertilizer contains pesticides or herbicides and in Connecticut even homeowners must place warning signs that pesticides or herbicides have been used.
Remember if you put weed killers on your grass and then compost the grass for use on vegetables you will end up eating the poisons and perhaps killing the plants. Very may trees suffer damage from pesticides or herbicides being applied to their lawns. Many people don’t care but there will be a price to pay eventually.
So, ask the person who applies anything to your lawn if they have appropriate licenses. It’s your welfare that’s at risk.

Is it a Vole or a Mole?

Question:
I have so many Mole holes in my yard that my grass is going to be a disaster this year what can I do?
Answer:
At this time of the year they are most likely to be VOLES which look like mice but have mole like fur. Fortunately they prefer to live outside. They make trails just under mulch, grass and leaves. They feed most often on tiny roots of rhododendrons, Azaleas and lots of other similar shrubs. They eat the tender feeding shoots and slow down the plant’s growth. A non toxic repellent works great in stopping them damaging your plants. If indeed they are Voles they will not do too much damage to your grass. A similar treatment will get rid of Moles.

Last Snow Fall

Question:
Since we had our last snow fall I have several branches on my trees that are very low to the ground. Should I cut them back if I do will this harm the tree at this time of year

Answer:
This is not the best time of the year to prune trees, for some species it doesn't mattter too much. It can also be dangerous because of the ice and snow to work outside, however, if the tree limbs are damaged or pose a threat to you or your property then they should be safely trimmed or pruned and the sounds left to heal by themselves. This is a job usually best to professionals.

No ticks coming in my yard.

Question:
At the end of our yard there is a wooded area is there anything we can do to prevent ticks from coming onto my yard?
Answer:
Yes, the area between the wood and your lawn is known as the ecotone which is the transition area between differing types of landscapes e.g.. forest and field.
Ticks need the protection and use of scrubby plants so they hang out waiting for prey in these areas. Very few ticks actually live on your lawn, less than 2% of the population. Treating the above mentioned areas with super safe plant oils will ensure the tick population is sufficiently reduced to help make your yard a safer place to enjoy. Treatment should be done in early Spring.

Help I have Carpet Beetles

Question:
What are carpet beetles my friend was helping me do some cooking and opened up a container of curry powder and there were tiny insects inside. The date was good on the packaging, she said they can attack any dried foods, also clothing and dried flowers. Is this true and where do they come from?

Answer:
They are probably not carpet beetles but the larvae of the good old Indian Meal Moth.
They are certainly found in all sorts of dry goods especially pastas, pet food, bird seed and so on. The larvae are the things which cause the damage. The adults are moths which tend to fly around the home. They have usually laid their eggs (up to 300) by the time you see the adults. The trick here is to kill the eggs before they develop; so, if possible keep your dry goods in sealed containers in the fridge or at least the coolest place possible.
Now, Carpet beetles are another story; there are many varieties with names like carpet beetle, larder beetle, leather beetle etc., They can cause a lot of damage not only to rugs and carpets but pretty much any natural material. They often feed on dead rodents. I come across them in attics, most often when something has died there.
Identification is the key. Send or bring a sample to our office or call for a free inspection.
If you have or suspect you have any of these bugs don’t ignore them.

Skunk Trapped

have a question:
My neighbor had a skunk trapped in her basement window well, it managed to get out but I have very deep basement window wells. How could it escape from there?

Answer:
Skunks can be very inquisitive and often end up in strange places. Don't be overly concerned about being sprayed. Spraying is a last resort for them when they are being threatened.
I usually find a long piece of wood (plank) that I carefully put into the window well and then get out fo the way. The skunk will usually climb up the plank and go home. If it doesn't you will need to call a pest control operator.
Don't leave it there. it will die a horrible death and leave an awful smell.

Ladybugs

I have a question
I am starting to see many ladybugs on my windows again. What's the cause?
Answer:
Ladybugs and other pests start to look for places to spend the winter around Fall time.
Becuase of the warmth in you home and the lengthening of each day they get tricked into thinking it's Spring already. They start to look for exit points.
Gather them up and put them in a bag unmtil Spring and let them loose in your yard. If they are overwhelming and causing a mess you may need professional help call us if you are not sure. Remember they are beneficial and eat a lot of pesky bugs.