The Essential Winter Lawn Care Guide

Just because the winter season is upon us, doesn't mean that you can stop taking care of your lawn. The cold weather and snow might cause your yard to go dormant, but in order for it to be the lavish property you are picturing come spring, you have to follow the right steps. Take a look at our Essential Winter Lawn Care Guide to fully understand what it takes to take care of your lawn after summer.

Prepare in Fall 
To reduce and possibly eliminate the amount of work you have to do over the winter, you should start preparing in the fall. Then, when spring arrives, the hard work will be done.

Some of the fall preparations include aerating, fertilizing, and mowing prior to the first freeze. Those pesky leaves should also be cleared away. If they get left on the yard, mold or moss can form underneath them. You need to keep the property clear of debris after you pick it up that final time. Make sure to tell everyone else in your household to do the same.



Overseeding to Stay Green
Keeping the grass green all winter long is possible with overseeding if you are located in a place where you can grow warm season grasses. Use a perennial or annual ryegrass before the first frost of the season.

Spot Treat Weeds
Having only a few weeds is a good thing. You can simply spot treat them with an herbicide weed killer. Just make sure it is one that is safe for the grass.

Mow to Control More Weeds
Living in an area that doesn't get snowfall leaves you with an advantage. You can continue mowing your lawn all year long, even if it goes dormant. This is a great way to control the weeds that are left over. The repeat mowing is tough for the weeds to live through, and many times they will die off after a few passes.

Stay Off Frozen Lawns
Make sure that people aren't using your frozen lawn as a walkway as walking across the grass can do some serious damage. In addition, keep all vehicles, trailers, and other large objects off the grass until the soil firms back up in the spring.

Rake Leftover Leaves Carefully
If after the first frost, there are still leaves on your lawn, you need to get them off. Make sure that you do so carefully. The lawn is going to be soft and possibly damp which means that the grass is going to lift off easily with a rake. Gently gather the debris to keep it from killing the grass underneath.

Repair Any Ruts
The cold winter weather will bring around rodents looking for a place to nest. If your grass is long, they will use it as a type of protection from the elements. As a result, you will end up with ruts in your yard. After the final snow or freeze, you will have to fill them with soil and cover them with grass seed.

Keep Glass Cleared of Debris
Continue to remove fallen branches, leaves, and other debris throughout the course of the winter. The weight of the object, no matter how small, can cause the grass beneath it to die.

We want you to have the best lawn on the block. Contact us today to take care of the lawn maintenance so that you don't have to.

5 Tips to Keep Bed Bugs out of Your Home this Winter!

It’s been established that bed bugs can not only survive, but also thrive in the winter months. So, how do you keep them out of your house? The insects like to live in a warm environment where they have access to food. When the temperatures drop that warm place for them is going to be somewhere inside of your house. Yikes! Learn how to keep the critters away from you and out of your family’s home with these five tips.

#1 Check the Bed Bug Registry Before Going Somewhere
You already know that a common way to pick up bed bugs is while you are traveling. How are you supposed to know where it’s safe to stay?

After a terrible bed bug situation in San Francisco many years ago, a bed bug registry was created. At www.BedBugRegistry.com, people can report bed bug infestations in hotels and in turn, you can look and see if the place you are planning to visit has any comments. This is available to you in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.



#2 Check Your Pets
Bed bugs prefer to feed on humans, but they will settle for a dog, cat, guinea pig, bird, or rat if that's what is available. If you think there are bed bugs biting your pet, do a thorough inspection of their skin. You will see small red bites close together, just like on a human.

Seeing the bites on an animal is not always possible. As a precaution, it is a good idea to wash all of the pet's bedding and toys and dry them with heat.

#3 Take Precautions at Hotels
As soon as you arrive at your hotel room, get out a flashlight and start looking for bed bugs, eggs, droppings, or blood smears. If you suspect there are bed bugs present, let the front desk know right away. They should have no problem moving you to a different room.

Keep your luggage up off the floor or in the bathroom to prevent the pests from sneaking a ride back home with you. When you get home, make sure you wash and dry everything  (with heat) that was in your hotel with you.

#4 Check Your Seat on Public Transit
Before taking a seat on the bus, train, or in the subway car, do an examination of your seat. This is a common place for bed bugs to live. In fact, they can stay in these spots for up to a year without ever needing to leave for food. It isn't common, but it can happen. If you have any doubt on whether or not your area is free from bugs, just stay standing.

#5 Place New Clothes in the Dryer
You went to a high-end retailer to purchase a few pieces for your wardrobe. Bed bugs were probably the furthest thing from your mind. Now, you have an infestation! How did that happen? They can live on clothing inside the store. Keep this tragedy from occurring by tossing your new purchases in the dryer for a half hour when you get home.

Those are just a few ways you can help prevent bed bugs from coming and staying at your home. In the event you think you are already infected, it may be time to call the experts. Contact us today for a free inspection! 

What is the Difference Between Mosquito Misting and Barrier Systems?

If you are looking for a quick, affordable, and effective way to get rid of the pesky mosquitos that are taking over your property, there are different options including mosquito misting and barrier systems. What’s the difference between the two? How do you know which one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at what you should know about each of these options.



Comparing Systems
What’s the difference between the two systems? A mosquito misting system involves a recurring misting spray that works through a setup of equipment which is placed on your property. A barrier system on the other hand is applied directly on the yard by a professional.

How They Work
The misting system is one that gets installed around a house or commercial building. During specific times, a spray is released to kill off the mosquitoes and keep them from breeding. As the chemical sprays get used up, you have to refill them to ensure the system stays in operation.

The barrier system is a little different. You are not responsible for any part of the operations as it is all done by the installer. There are no chemicals to refill or any type of upkeep on your end.

Length of Effectiveness
If you are looking for the treatment type that is going to last the longest, you will want to go with the barrier system. This system stays on the yard for anywhere from 30-60 days, depending on the level of coverage you choose. The misting system, on the other hand, only lasts for about 10 minutes after the spray is released. As mentioned before, you also have to constantly refill chemicals to keep it running.

Coverage Area
You might think that having a misting system is best because it keeps the mosquitoes away from where you are, the home. The truth is, these insects actually live in the lawn area. Knowing that, it’s easy to understand that a barrier system is most likely going to be more effective.

Cost
The most important question is always, how much is it going to cost? The misting method requires a decent sized set up price with all the equipment that has to be installed along with the chemicals. You have to keep purchasing more chemicals too as you run out.

The barrier treatment is one that does not require any additional costs after the installer leaves. The lawn is treated, you pay the bill, and you’re good to go for at least 30 days.

Risks
There are a few dangers that you should be aware of if you are considering the misting form of mosquito prevention. Remember that there will be chemicals consistently spraying all around your home. These can be hazardous if inhaled and can also cause further damages to the body.

The chemicals are also just sprayed out with no real direction. There is a chance that they are not even hitting any mosquitoes thus wasting your money.

Additionally, scientists are questioning these resilient critters and their ability to come in contact with the chemicals and not even be effected.

The Verdict
In the end, barrier systems are most likely going to be the best option between the two. Not only are they easier on the homeowner, they are also cheaper, more effective, and more safe. You can treat a mosquito problem knowing that you are not exposing yourself or your family to dangerous chemicals.


Now that you know which type of mosquito prevention treatment is recommended, it is time to spring into action. Contact us today with any questions or to set up your services.

Is the Zika Virus still in the US?

The Zika Virus was very big news in the media not too long ago but has faded in coverage which may have you wondering, is the Zika Virus still in the United States? The short answer is yes. Learn more about this disease, especially dangerous for expectant mothers, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.



The CDC is Taking Action
The Zika Virus is located currently in a small region around Miami, Florida. The CDC is stepping in to ensure that it doesn't spread any further than that. They are keeping a very close eye on the large pools of water in the area where they could potentially breed. These water sources are being flushed out regularly.

Additionally, the CDC is creating mosquito control plans. These involve spraying nets, education, and getting rid of breeding environments. They are also working to inform people of what signs to watch for in relation to being infected so that they can get treatment right away.

What to Watch Out For
There are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for if you think that you could have been infected. The symptoms are very similar to that of a cold or flu. You will likely get a fever, red eyes, a rash, and a headache. There is also commonly muscle or joint pain that will occur.

If you are feeling any of these and you are pregnant, doctors will check for Zika right away. If you are not pregnant, testing isn't commonly performed.

How-to Protect Yourself
The easiest way to protect yourself from the Zika Virus is by avoiding being bitten by a mosquito in the first place. Well that's easy to say, but not so easy to do. However, there are several preventative measures that you can take in order to keep yourself from being bitten.

• Before going outside, cover yourself in clothing that prevents insects access to your bare skin. Pay special attention to your arms and legs.
• A strong mosquito repellent should also be sprayed on the skin to keep the pests at bay.
• If you sleep in an outdoor space or somewhere that a mosquito could potentially get into, put a mosquito net up around your bed. Do the same for your children's beds.
• At home, make sure that if your windows are open, they all have screens that will effectively keep mosquitoes out. If you have rips or tears, get them replaced and keep the windows shut until the job is completed.
• Finally, keep your air conditioner running and the inside of your living space cold. Mosquitoes like temperatures of 80 degrees or higher so if your home is cool, they will likely go somewhere warmer to feed.

Fischer Can Help You Prevent Zika
One sure-fire way to keep the Zika Virus at bay is by preventing mosquitoes from inhabiting your personal space. Our professionals know what type of treatment you will need just by coming to your home and inspecting your property. We can custom create a plan that will be the most effective for your specific situation.

Just 24 hours following the application around fences, the perimeter of your house, and in landscaping, the population of mosquitoes will be at zero. You can rest easy knowing that the Zika Virus is not going to get to you or your loved ones.

With over 60 years of experience, you can be sure that your treatment is going to be effective. Contact us today to get a free inspection!