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.

Wood Burning Stove

I have a quesiton:
We use a wood burner everyday and yesterday I let it go out to clean the ashes and heard this scratching noise in the chimney I went outside and did not see anything. I was worried about lighting the fire incase an animal was in the chimney.
Answer:
A warm chimney is often too much of a good thing to miss for many critters especially raccoons, skunks and squirrels. Most of the time they find their way out unless they have fallen and injured themselves. There is a simple remedy to preventing this; just get a chimney-top excluder fitter. These can be life savers as a dead animal can prevent the escape of deadly gases. The gases could end up in your living areas especially if you have gas fires. If you think something is already in the chimney call us to take a look it's better to be safe than sorry.

Installing Old White Oak Beams

I have a question:
I have recently installed old white oak beams into my new home that were retrieved from a 150+ year old barn.
My question is do they need to be treated to prevent the introduction of wood borers in to my new home. The beams will be exposed in a vaulted ceiling. Thanks.

Answer:
The primary way that powder post beetles are introduced into new homes is from installing old wood that may already be infested.
These beetles can also be introduced from antiques and firewood so they need our help. The species that typically affect oak are multigenerational, they will keep reproducing until the food source is destroyed. You should certainly have the wood inspected at the very minimum. Remember that depending on species, heat, humidity etc., they can stay hidden deep in the wood for up to 10 years. A pre treatment in your situation would be very wise. Preventing the pests now is much easier than trying to treat them once they spread through you house.
Typically a generation emerges May-June.
It's best not to wait until them.
A treatment with borates will last as long as the wood lasts and is safe for you and your family, you don't even have to leave your home during the treatment.
Please email me with any questions.