Winter Fertilization

A healthy lawn is not something that just grows in a matter of a few days or even a few months. You may have spent the spring and summer working hard to provide your lawn with the conditions that it needs to a achieve great health and a beautiful appearance, but still find that you are somehow coming up short.

It could be that your lawn is not coming in the way that you like, or you might feel like you have made progress, only to find that it seems like you are starting all over again in the next spring. If this sounds familiar, then you might want to think about what you are doing in the winter to set the foundation for a good lawn in the spring.

Looks Can be Deceiving

So you get out there every spring and summer to fertilize the lawn, and you’re taking all of the right steps to produce that nice green grass that is pleasing to the eye. Understandably, you get the impression that you have a lawn that is strong and healthy, but appearances can be deceiving.

While you may have a top growth that is green and healthy, it’s important to consider what is going on beneath the surface. There is more to a healthy lawn than good top growth. For the lawn to be healthy, it needs a strong root system and density to go along with that nice looking top growth.

Care for Grass Roots in the Winter

For many people, the winter is where they fail to provide their lawn with what it needs. You might think that since the lawn is not growing during the winter, that it does not need any special care, but this is where you would be wrong.

While the growth may slow and eventually stop during the winter, the roots are still working beneath the surface. As the temperatures begin to drop, the roots start to absorb nutrients in order to develop a strong root system, and then they use these nutrients that they store away in the winter to help bring the plant out of dormancy in the spring.

This is why the winterizing application of fertilizer is so important. It will provide your lawn’s root system with the nutrients that it needs to sustain the plant in the winter, which helps to get it ready for the spring. With a healthy root system that develops all year round, your lawn will be much more resilient.

Best Time for Winter Fertilizer

The best time to apply winter fertilizer can vary depending on the conditions, but for most lawns, the right time is during the late fall. Around the end of November to the beginning of December, the grass is still green, and the root system is still active. By providing your lawn with fertilizer as it is going into the winter, the root system will have a chance to absorb the nutrients that it will need. This will get it ready for a strong start to the next growing season.

If you want to ensure that your lawn is as a green and as healthy as it can be, then it will require care that runs throughout the year. Our lawn care specialists can develop a program that will ensure the optimal health and appearance for your lawn. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Do you have wildlife scurrying around your home? Maybe you see a raccoon here or a squirrel there? However, the problem is that as the weather gets colder, they will often try and work their way into your house; seeking shelter and food.

While they may seem harmless, these furry creatures can actually be more than just annoying. They can pose some serious risks when sharing space with humans and domestic pets. Surprised? Read on to find out the dangers posed from wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, and squirrels, and what to do to safely remove them from your property.

Raccoons

A raccoon can spread a variety of diseases that could affect your family. Some may require direct contact like a bite or a scratch, but there are others that can spread through indirect contact, so it is important to keep these animals under control. Here are a few common diseases you should know about. 

•      Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that is spread from an infected raccoon’s droppings and urine. Humans can contract the disease if an open cut or wound comes in contact with the raccoon waste. The symptoms include fever, anemia, meningitis, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

•      Rabies: Raccoons can carry the viral infection of rabies which can be fatal for humans.  It is transmitted through a bite or scratch. Look out for signs of rabies in raccoons which include stumbling, frothing at the mouth, acting violent, and lacking fear of humans.

•      Raccoon Roundworm: Roundworm eggs can be found in the feces of raccoons and can be passed to humans through inhalation. They attack the central nervous system and can cause tiredness, loss of vision, lack of coordination, coma, and death.

•      Salmonella: Raccoons can carry this bacteria which is spread from their feces. When humans are infected, they will experience high fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Opossums

An opossum is another animal that you are likely to see around the homes of you and your neighbors. For the most part, these animals will try to keep their distance from humans, but sharing the same environment means that close contact does occur. As with many other animals, an opossum can spread disease through biting or scratching, and their urine and feces can contain harmful bacteria that can have serious health consequences for people.

The diseases they can carry and transmit to humans include the same three that raccoons carry Leptospirosis, Rabies and, Salmonella. Additionally, they can transmit diseases to your domestic pets including the following:

•      Tularemia: This is a disease that can cause ulcers, glandular issues and respiratory problems.

•      Coccidiosis: Transmitted by feces, this causes diarrhea.

Squirrels

Since they are not aggressive and they avoid human contact, few people see squirrels as a threat. However, they do also present some risks. They can carry and transmit Leptospirosis, Rabies, Salmonella, Tularemia, and Lyme Disease.

•      Lyme Disease: This is spread by ticks which squirrels carry. The symptoms include inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, stiffness, and nerve pain.

Call Fischer for Safe and Thorough Wildlife Control

For safe, effective, and humane wildlife control, contact Fischer Environmental. We have more than 60 years of experience in the pest control industry, and we can provide solutions for any wildlife problem that you may be facing.

Our team can come out to assess the situation, remove animals from the home and the property, and take steps to prevent the infection of disease. If you have animals that are coming into the home, we can also take steps that will keep the animals out once they are removed.

At Fischer Environmental, we appreciate the wildlife that lives in the Louisiana area, but we also understand the need to keep these animals from spreading diseases to humans. If you believe that some of these animals are a risk to your home and family, don’t try to handle the situation yourself, play it safe and contact our experienced professionals today.

Tips for Keeping Pests Out of your Home During Winter

As the weather starts to cool, you may be noticing a few more pests  inside your home. Just like you, they want to find a warm spot away from the cold. However, they are annoying at best and a damage-wreaking, health hazard at worst. Here are a few tips to help you keep them out.

Seal Openings to the Home

One of the first steps in protecting your home against pests is to exclude them from the structure. Now, there is no way to make your house 100% pest proof – pests do have a way of finding a way in – but there are some things that you can do to help.

•      Entryways: Inspect all of the doors in your home to make sure that they are properly sealed. Check for damaged or worn weather stripping, and look to see if there are any gaps that need to be caulked.

•      Windows: Inspect all of your windows and screens. If the screens have holes or don’t fit well, get them repaired. If there are gaps or cracks around the frame, then you may want to consider caulking.

•      Foundation: Look for small cracks around the foundation or spaces where the foundation meets the home. If you find any, seal them up.

•      Attic: Check the attic vent to make sure that it is secure and undamaged. If it is loose, then you need to tighten it. If it is broken, it needs to be replaced.

Dry Out Wet Areas

Next, pests need water to survive, and as the winter approaches, they are going to be looking for a good source. You don't want them relying on your home for water all winter so dry out wet areas using these tactics.

•      Fix Leaks: If you have any leaky pipes or dripping faucets, get them repaired.

•      Remove Standing Water: Don’t leave glasses of water around or water standing in sinks/showers/toilets. Dry them out and keep toilet lids closed.

•      Roof: A leaky roof can be another water supply, check to ensure you don’t have any wet spots.

•      Dehumidify: If the air in your basement has a lot of moisture, this can condense and provide water to pests. Get a dehumidifier and remove the moisture from the air.

Eliminate Attractive Habitats

Another key step in keeping pests out of the home in the winter is to eliminate potential pest habitats. If their outdoor habitat is far from the home, then they are much less likely to try to come in when the weather turns cold. Here are some tips:

•      Move Debris: If you have something like a pile of bricks or a woodpile near the house, move it away from the structure.

•      Trash Cans: Keep your trash cans sealed and move them away from your house.

•      Gutters: Clean all of the leaves and debris from your gutters. You also want to make sure that the downspouts are channeling the water away from the structure.

•      Mulch: If you have mulch in the yard, move it so that it is not resting against the home.

•      Plants: If you have bushes or plants outside the home, try to move them away from the structure.

Call Fischer For Professional Advice

If you have concerns about pest control this winter, the team from Fischer Environmental can help. We can provide your home with effective pest control solutions that will keep the pests out.  If they are already in your home, we can thoroughly remove the problem. From ants and termites to rodents and even snakes, we have the knowledge and experience to keep your home pest-free. Contact us today for a free inspection.

When rats and mice come into the home, they can cause some serious problems. They can get into your food, damage your property, and subject you to different diseases. Not exactly a welcomed house guest!

You may think you keep your home clean, so you will never get infested, but it doesn’t matter how clean you are, rodents will come into any home they can get access to. The bad news is once they are in, they begin to multiply rapidly. In order to prevent your home from being infested, here are signs to look out for, causes of infestations, and how you can prevent them.

Signs of Rats and Mice

•      Droppings

•      Gnaw marks on wood

•      Chewed food packaging

•      Rustling noises in the walls

Of course, there is the possibility that you may actually see one of the rodents in the house, but they tend to work at night. They could be there for a while before you ever see them.

Causes of Infestation

When the weather gets colder, rodents look for a place they can nestle in, stay warm, and grow their family. Even better if that place has a source of food! Unfortunately, human homes offer both of those things. The main factor that allows for an infestation is open access.

Rats and mice can come into your house through small cracks and gaps in the exterior of the home, drainpipes, and windows and doors. They are quite clever and can squeeze through spaces that appear to be much smaller than their body size.

Prevention

While rats and mice can be good at finding their way into the home, there are steps that can be taken to prevent an infestation or to eliminate one once they have arrived.

Close Up Any Openings

Inspect around your house for any cracks or openings and seal them all up, even if they are small. Be mindful of leaving doors or windows open. Ensure all of your screens are in good condition without rips or tears.

Snap Traps

These are the conventional spring traps that every person associates with the word “mousetrap.” You bait the trap with some food, and it uses a steel bar that comes down to kill the rat or mouse when they trigger the spring.

Glue Traps

With these traps, you basically have a piece of board or a tray that has an adhesive substance on it. When the rodent walks on the board, it gets stuck and eventually dies from hunger or thirst. These traps can be effective, but many people do not use them because they are inhumane.

Live Traps

The live traps catch the rodent in a cage, and you can release it later. It is a good option because it does not harm the animal. You just need to make sure to release it far enough from the home so that it does not return.

Poison

You also have the option to use rodent poison. If the mouse or rat eats enough, it will spend the next few days dying from internal bleeding. Along with being inhumane, another potential downside is that one of the rodents may go into the wall before they die, and the smell of a dead rat in your wall is sure to be unpleasant.

Electronic

An electronic mousetrap works by delivering a shock to the rodent that stops its heart. They are effective and easy to use, but they can be expensive.

Sonic

These are devices that emit a high-frequency sound that will irritate rats and mice. The sound has no effect on humans and it is also safe for animals like cats and dogs. While they can work to provide a less inviting atmosphere, studies have found that these devices are not as effective as the manufacturers claim.

Professional Rodent Control

If you aren’t sure how to handle a rodent problem and would rather call in a professional, Fischer  Environmental Pest Control can help. We are very experienced with treating mice and rat infestations in a humane and thorough way. Contact us today to learn more!