The Latest on the Zika Virus

You have likely heard all the news coverage recently about the spread of the ZIka Virus. Zika is a virus which little is known about, which is part of what makes it a threat. Spread by mosquitoes, it is causing one of the more pronounced public health issues in years, if not decades. The dangerous virus has been declared a public health emergency of international concern as of February 1, 2016. This declaration was made by the World Health Organization because there have been thousands of cases of infants being born with microcephaly (or, an unusually small cranium) in Brazil which has been linked to the virus. Now the virus appears to be spreading to states in the U.S. as people return from vacationing.

 

The Zika Virus in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced in February of this year that it was investigating two alleged cases of the Zika virus. The citizens being investigated had recently traveled to the Caribbean where they are thought to have contracted it. Louisiana is not alone in this occurrence as it is the 17th state in the US that has reported cases of Zika. The virus is becoming, in reality, a bit of an epidemic and should be of concern to all LA residents and homeowners.

Latest Zika Case in the Bay Area

Six people in the Bay Area of California have also been confirmed to have Zika. They had recently all returned from traveling overseas in countries where Zika is present. State officials believe they contracted the virus while traveling, and although the Aedes aegypti lives in the Bay Area, San Mateo and Alameda counties, they have no confirmed occurrences of a mosquito-transmitted Zika case.

How to Prevent the Zika Virus

So, how do we keep ourselves, our kids, our pets and all of our loved ones safe from Zika? The first step is to be aware of the risks when traveling to countries where the Zika virus is present. Second, even though no cases have yet been confirmed to have been caused by mosquitos in the U.S., it is better to be safe than sorry; especially for pregnant women. In Louisiana, the climate and general environment are quite hospitable to mosquitos and these types of viruses. This was evidence by the West Nile outbreak that happened just a few years ago. So, keep these 2 simple tips in mind…

1. It’s vital to find areas in your backyard where mosquitoes breed including damp spots and standing water and eliminate them.
2. You may want to consider creating a mosquito blockade if you will. This barrier should be sprayed within 10 feet of the home.

Contact Fischer Environmental Services today if you want to protect your home from mosquitoes. We know that this type of information can be a bit worrisome, but we are at your service. We have the best technicians as part of our team who can help to ease your mind. They will help you locate those areas where mosquitoes might breed and eliminate the risks. They can also help prevent mosquitoes by spraying a mosquito barrier around your home. The products we use are suggested for use around people, animals, and vegetation, are non-toxic to birds or other creatures, and are precisely formulated to only get rid of your pests. Contact Fischer Environmental today to help protect your home from mosquitoes. Click here to learn more about creating a mosquito barrier around your home. 

Termite Prevention

Tiny bugs swarming the wood in your walls and foundation, damaging your home, and terrorizing your family isn't quite a homeowner's dream. More like a nightmare. Termites are the bugs we are talking about here and they are stubborn, having no intentions of leaving without a fight as long as they have resources to live on. The goal for homeowners is to make your home unattractive to them and to take proactive steps to ensure they aren't making your home, their home.

group of termite wood eater

Termite Season

Though they are small and seemingly harmless, termites can be destructive. They are active all year so can cause damage at any time of the year. However, they do have seasons in which they are worst which depends on an area’s climate and other factors. Termite season can run anywhere from February to November, but spring almost always brings the heaviest part of the swarming season. If you would like to find out when termite season is in your area, you can contact a local professional for a free inspection. Your pest control expert will be able to advise you on the termite’s swarming season and will be able to help you decide the best course of action.

Now to avoid potential problems with termites, here are some steps you can take toward prevention.

Tips for Prevention

Termites will attack your home in an insidious manner so protecting the house from termite damage will require proactive steps. Waiting until you have an infestation may result in irreparable damage, not to mention that termites can also be exceedingly difficult to get rid of. So, the best thing that you can do when it comes to termites and your home, is to follow these simple and straightforward prep steps:

1. Eliminate sources of food near the home. Termites survive from eating cellulose in wood, so will likely set up a colony if your home is an abundant source. You will want to minimize the amount of dead wood you have on your property from old stumps to stacks of firewood. Even wood for landscaping or mulch can attract them.
2. Keep plant growth away from the home. Clear away leaves from the home and keep the area around the home free of debris. Termites are more likely to infest when brush and bushes are in contact with the house.
3. Seal moisture out of your home, especially near the foundation. Just as termites need food and shelter, they need water. If they are unable to access water, they will likely not set up shop in your home. Check for leaky pipes, drain spouts, etc. Inspect the chimney, roof, and windows for cracks and leaks.
4. You may want to consider having a new home treated for termites. The contractors can treat the soil as well as the wood in the foundation. This is an easy preventative step that may make sense if you are working on a new construction home.
5. Contact a professional: One of the best ways to prevent termites is to have a thorough inspection of your home by a trained professional. Many times, it is hard to identify a potential problem without being experienced with termite infestations. A professional will know exactly what to look for and where to look for it. Professionals recommend an inspection every other year to catch any potential problems early.

Following the steps above, along with regularly scheduled inspections and vigilance, will help keep termites at bay. It is much less expensive to prevent termites than to repair the damage that they can cause.

Basically, your goal should be to make your home as inhospitable and unattractive to termite guests as possible. That’s your best bet. But, if they have already infested or if you are worried that they might be, then you should consult a professional who can advise you on the best strategy to get rid of them. Fischer environmental is well trained in the prevention and treatment of termites as well as many other common household pests in Louisiana. Click here for a free inspection today, and we can ensure your home is pest free.

Spring Lawn Care Tips

Nothing makes a great first impression quite like a well maintained green lawn. It is not always easy to keep your yard looking healthy and vibrant, which is why people who can are always the envy of the neighborhood. But, some basic knowledge and a little bit of elbow grease is all that you will need to get the best lawn on the block for this coming season.

City square. Sprinkler system is watering the lawn.

So, let’s start at the beginning…

Grass Types

Your lawn care plan and prep will depend on the type of grass that you have. There are 2 kinds:

1. Cool-season grasses have two times of growth – a moderate one in the spring, and then a larger burst of growth in the autumn. The grass goes dormant in the summer, so spring is an important opportunity to care for it.
2. Warm-season grasses thrive in the heat and go inactive in the winter. They begin growing in spring, but don’t really get going until the middle of the summer.

Cleaning Up and Repairing Your Lawn

Please do not do any unnecessary lawn work in the spring until you have allowed the soil to dry out. Soggy soil and foot traffic or raking can cause damaged grass that won’t grow or look lush. When the soil is dry, carefully get rid of leaves, etc. Then, rake the grass to “fluff” it and help it to stand straight and tall. If you live in area where snowfall is common, be aware that remaining snow mounds can suffocate the grass beneath. This will nurture mold growth and kill the plant life. Spread out snow piles to help melting.

Weed Control

You can use pre-emergent weed control in the spring. This will help to stop the weeds before they start germinating. Both cool-season and warm-season grasses benefit from weed prevention and both should be done in the spring. Pre-emergent herbicides will continue to work for about three months. Plan on applying more at some point in the summer months.

Seeding and Planting

Gardeners have to pick between weed control and lawn seeding in the spring. Pre-emergent herbicides will also keep grass from growing and prevent grass seed from sprouting, so you can’t use those weed control products if you are planting seeds.

Cool-season grasses can be planted as soon as temperatures get into the 60s. In addition, soil temperatures should be somewhere in the 50s. Give the seedlings a chance to get growing and established prior to the heat of the summer. Fall is a superior time to plant cool-season grasses. Spring planting should only be for patching bare spots.

Warm-season grasses can be established when the temps hit the 70s, and soil temperatures are in the 60s. Late spring is the best time to plant, as the threat of a late frost is gone.

Fertilizer

When it comes to cool-season grasses, do NOT heavily fertilize in the spring. Spring feeding will create rapidly grown tender shoots which will die in the summer sun. Heavier fertilization should be done during the fall. Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, should be “fed” in late spring as soon as the lawn starts turning verdant – usually April or May.

Mowing

Cut your grass often enough so that you're only eliminating the upper bit of the blades of grass. This is less stressful for the grass and the smaller clippings decompose quickly and easily and become fertilizer (avoid bagging the clippings, allow them to nurture the soil.

Lawn Care Equipment Maintenance

Follow these quick steps to get everything into working order for the spring.

1. Take out leftover gasoline that may be stale.
2. Disconnect the piece of equipment’s spark plug. That way it is not dangerous to work on your mower.
3. Take the blade off and sharpen it with a metal file.
4. Drain the oil, if there is any.
5. Clean the equipment and then reattach the blade if you removed it earlier.
6. Replenish the oil tank with new oil.
7. Switch the air filter.
8. Put the spark plug back. It is recommended to install a new one, even if the old one still works. It is cheap and easy to change, so it can never hurt.

A well maintained and green lawn is the pride and joy of many families and businesses. It takes work and commitment to create a beautiful, green lawn that is lush and healthy, but it can be done with just a little bit of effort and know-how. If you want further advice or assistance, click here for a free consultation.

How to Aerate your Lawn 101

Aeration is sometimes considered difficult but it is simply perforating the soil with small holes. Those holes are designed to let air, water and nutrients down deep into the soil. There, they are able to saturate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.

Why Aerate?

The main goal of aeration is to lessen dirt compaction which may lead to a high amount of solid particles in the soil. This prevents proper water, air and nutrition from getting to the roots of your lawn. Excess lawn thatch or heavy biological debris hidden under the grass surface can also make it difficult for the roots to get the nutrients that grass will need to grow and thrive.

Who Should Aerate?

You should aerate your soil if it is an area which receives high traffic. Constant weight on the soil causes it to become more compact. Also, soil under newly constructed homes often has its topsoil stripped away leaving compacted soil. There are also barriers which can cause problems such as soil layering and thatch which will benefit from an aeration treatment.

Tools Needed

When it comes to aerating tools, you basically have two ways to go. You can either get a spike aerator or a plug aerator.

With a spike aerator, you just punch holes into the earth with a hard point at the end of the tool.

Woman aerating the garden lawn with a digging fork

Plug aerators remove plugs of lawn and dirt from the turf. These aerators tend to produce the best results. Poking holes with a spike aerator can, in reality, cause further compaction in the areas near the holes that have been punctured.

Note: Look for a tool that pulls up soil plugs around 2 — 3 inches down into the ground, approximately 0.5 — 0.75 inches in diameter, and just about 2 — 3 inches from one another. This type of equipment can be rented at your local garden store or your big box home improvement warehouse. The most important thing is that you follow the directions provided, particularly if you go the rental route.

Steps to Aerate Your Lawn

There is far more involved in aerating a lawn than just perforating the soil. You have to be aware of soil and grass conditions which will guide your decisions about where to puncture the earth, and when to aerate. Different types of grass flourish and thrive at different times of the year. If you are going to ventilate a lawn, you want the treatment to correspond with the lawn’s prime best time of year for growth. Typically cool season grass should be aerated in early spring and warm season grass at the end of spring. Here are a few steps to aerating your lawn.

Try to eradicate or treat all of the weeds that may be in the grass before you aerate.

Before getting underway, make sure the earth is saturated enough with water. There's nothing more annoying than trying to aerate soil that is parched. Try aerating a day after a rain shower, or water your lawn the day before.

Most aeration equipment is designed to cover only a small fraction of the soil surface with each pass. 

Make certain to make several passes over the most compressed parts.

The unearthed masses of dirt should be permitted to dry and then you should break them up and spread them across the lawn so that it has an even surface. You can easily break them up by running them over with a lawnmower.

Of course, after you are done aerating, it's vital to carry on with all of your basic lawn care practices such as proper composting, cutting and watering.

Fischer Can Help

If you'd like to talk to experts with a great deal of experience in lawn care, Fischer is here to help. Aeration is but one of the numerous lawn care services that we provide. We will strategize to restore and improve your lawn and are committed to helping you get it in tip top shape from aerating and seeding to fertilizing and watering- click here to get started!

Early Spring Maintenance Tips For a Healthy New Orleans Lawn

To get the perfect lawn, the homeowner needs to put some effort into cultivating healthy grass. To grow the best lawn that you can, you need the right equipment and you also need to know the different steps for care that need to be applied at different times of the year. Spring happens to be one of the most important seasons for lawn growth, and the steps that you take during this time of year can make a significant difference in the quality of your lawn.

Here is what we recommend:

Sharpen Mower Blades
A lot of homeowners do not realize the importance of keeping the blades on their mower sharp and many will unknowingly keep running their mower with blades that are too dull. The problem is that a mower with dull blades will still make the grass shorter, so the person doesn’t even identify the problem.

The problem is when the blades are not sharp enough, they rip the grass instead of making a clean cut and this can damage the health of the lawn. At the beginning of the season, make sure to get the blades on your mower sharpened to ensure a nice clean cut.

Buy New Gas
The old gas that has been sitting in your mower all winter may have accumulated moisture while the machine was stored away. This accumulation can damage the engine of the mower and cause performance problems. Empty the tank and buy fresh gas to protect the mower against damage. Additionally, you want to make sure to dispose of the gas properly.

Clean Up the Lawn
Over the fall and winter, a lot of debris can build up on the lawn. The accumulation of leaves and twigs that are left over from the cold season, can deprive the lawn of sunlight and inhibit the flow of water to the soil. Early spring is an important time of year for the grass to grow, so you want to get out the rake and make sure that the lawn is nice and clear.

Give Mower a Tune Up
Make sure that your mower is in good working order by giving it a yearly tune up. Change the oil, replace the air filter and put in a new spark plug. It doesn’t cost that much and it is a job that can be done relatively quickly. A mower that is well cared for will perform better and it will have a longer operating life.

Control Weeds
The early part of spring is also the most important time of year for weed control. Following the winter, the grass is at its weakest and this is when weeds can really take root. Applying a spray program in the beginning of spring will be critical to ensuring that your lawn is weed free. If you wait until it is too hot and too far into the summer, the weeds may have really taken root, and it will be much harder to get them under control without damaging the turf.

Test Soil
You can put all the work in the world into your lawn, but if you do not understand what is going on with the soil, it could all be for naught. Knowing the soil pH will tell you in what ways the soil might be lacking and it can help to inform your decisions regarding a fertilizer. Testing the pH of your soil is relatively simple and the knowledge that it provides can make a major difference in your lawn care strategy. The test kits are readily available at most hardware stores and lawn care centers and they don’t require any specialized knowledge or equipment to use.

Water as Needed
One of the biggest mistakes that many homeowners make at this time of year is to overwater the lawn. Overwatering can damage the root system and make the grass more prone to disease. Carefully manage your lawn’s water needs and make sure not to go overboard.

The steps that you take in the early spring set your lawn up for the rest of the growing season. A failure to plan accordingly and take the necessary steps, can seriously diminish the quality of the lawn. The lawn care experts at Fischer Environmental understand the importance of this season and we can help to build a custom plan that will get the most from your lawn. Click here for more information about our lawn care services.

5 reasons that make New Orleans different from anywhere else

One of the first things that is going to make an impression on any visitor or first timer to the city is how different it is from the rest of the nation. New Orleans has its own feel and cultural vibe that helps to set it apart from cities in other places, and much of this is due to the peculiar history that this city has. While the history of New Orleans may be intertwined with the rest of the United States, much of it is very independent of events that occurred in the rest of the nation.

Remained an Outpost of French and Spanish Empires until 1803
Part of the reason that New Orleans has a history and cultural landscape that is so different from the rest of the United States is because it wasn’t established as a British colony like the other early states in the union. This sort of secluded it, and set it apart from the rest of the outposts that had been established in what is now the US.

Being set apart from the rest of the English settlements, and a long way from Canada, it was a place that developed its own culture. People from various cultural traditions shared the city, lived together and their cultures mixed to make something that was different from anywhere else on the planet. Even after the city became a part of the US in the Louisiana Purchase, it maintained this feel, and new groups of people came. The new cultures that they brought with them became a part of the mix.

The French Quarter
The French Quarter is a place romanticized in the minds of many. The unique architecture, the dining establishments, and the people, help to make the neighborhood a place that is truly enchanting. Being the oldest neighborhood in the city, it is full of history, and visitors can experience the past when they participate in many of the city’s cultural events and tours. If you want the authentic New Orleans experience, then the French Quarter should take a central place in your plans.

Diverse Population and Neighborhoods
A big part of what helps to make New Orleans so special is, as we mentioned, the people. In this city, you have people that come from all sorts of cultural backgrounds, and different groups from all over the world have helped to put their cultural stamp on the city.

From its days as a Spanish settlement and as a French city, the population has always been diverse. You have the Cajun and the Creole traditions, a strong African-American influence, a Latino community and the various cultural traditions that have come with generation after generation of Europeans who made this city their home on their arrival to the New World.

Creole traditions and food
One of the most distinctive elements that you will find in New Orleans is that of the Creole culture. Originally, this term was used to describe the free black or mixed race individuals that inhabited the city. However, as more Americans started to come to the city, it became a term that was also used to identify the city’s residents of French heritage. The influence that Creole culture has had on New Orleans cannot be overstated, and it touches everything from the architecture and the accents, to the art and the food. In New Orleans, you can still experience authentic Creole cuisine, with its rich flavors and a sophisticated blend of ingredients.

Mardi Gras Festivals
If you are going to talk about what makes New Orleans unique, then you have to mention Mardi Gras. While it does have its roots in the city’s French Catholic history, just like everything else in New Orleans, the blend of cultures has left its mark on the festival. On Mardi Gras, you have the wonderful parades, the interesting costumes and a celebration that cannot be recreated anywhere else on the planet.

Any person that has ever been to New Orleans knows that this is a city that moves to its own rhythm. You have a mix of culinary styles that cannot be matched, the various cultural influences, the over the top celebrations and festivals, and of course, the history. With so much to offer, it is no wonder that so many people over many generations have fallen in love with New Orleans.

We at Fischer Environmental love where we live and we hope that you visit New Orleans- you’ll fall in love, too!

New Orleans Festival Season 2016 Guide

New Orleans is a city that is known for its celebrations and festivals. Every year, the community comes together for a variety of events that celebrate the local culture, the food and a range of other things. As the festival season approaches, knowing what is happening when can help you be prepared for the events that you want to attend.

March 5-6, 12-13 – Spring Fiesta
The cultural heritage of New Orleans is one of the things that will attract many visitors to the city. With the Spring Fiesta, the first two weekends in March become a time when people can really experience this history up close. There are parades to attend, walking tours through different historic neighborhoods and tours of some of the historic homes.

March 11-12 – Buku Music and Art Project
For music, art and local culture, there are few events like the Buku Music and Art Festival. The event features music from local and national artists, and it also celebrates the history and culture of New Orleans. Watch the paddleboats go down the river, experience the authentic local cuisine or get the premium experience by taking advantage of the VIP packages.

March 20 – Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday
The Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday is another big event that provides a great cultural opportunity. Various tribes from the Mardi Gras Indian Council get together to hold a parade to celebrate their history. Dressed in elaborate costumes and performing cultural chants and dances they march through the streets for an event that is truly unique and interesting.

March 11-17 – St. Patrick’s Day Parades
St. Patrick’s Day has deep roots in New Orleans and every year the city celebrates these roots by hosting more than a week’s worth of events. There are a total of three parades and various block parties to mark the holiday and of course, the celebration has a touch of the local flavor. At the biggest of the parades, float riders throw beads and other trinkets just like they do with the Mardi Gras parades.

March 19 – St. Joseph’s Day
The celebrations for this Catholic saint are very important to many of the city’s residents and the events associated with it are a local favorite. The tradition is to commemorate the memory of St. Joseph and the relief that he provided Sicilians during the famine. By tradition, people will build alters to show thanks and share food with those in need. Additionally, there is the parade organized by the American Italian Marching Club.

March 19-20 – Congo Square New Worlds Rhythm Festival
This festival is a celebration of the rich cultural tradition that has helped to give the music of New Orleans its unique sound. It is a free event organized by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and it features all sorts of music and dance including that from the Afro-Caribbean tradition and the Gulf Region.

March 26 – Crescent City Classic
The Crescent City Classic is a 10k race held annually in the city. It runs through many of New Orleans most iconic neighborhoods and it is popular with local runners and competitors from all over the world. In addition to the race, you have the post-race festival, which includes music food and beverages.

TBA – Wednesday at the Square Concert Series
Running from March until June, residents and visitors can enjoy the different acts that take part in this 12-week concert series held at Lafayette Square.

SAINTS AND SINNERS LITERARY FESTIVAL: March 30-April 3 2016
Combined with the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, this LGBT literary event is host to various speakers, readings and workshops. It runs from the end of March to the first few days of April and it is made up of different events and contests.

French Quarter Festival: April 7-10 2016
With 20 performance stages and over 90 food and beverage booths, this is the largest free music festival in the South. It’s a celebration of the local culture and music, plus there are tons of attractions that are organized in association with the festival.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SHELL: APRIL 22-MAY 1, 2016
People come from all over the country to experience the New Orleans Jazz Festival. While it may be a festival to celebrate city’s connection to jazz, the event features artists and acts from every style of music that you can imagine. It’s a big event with big names and it only happens in New Orleans.

With the New Orleans festival season, it seems like there is another exciting event every day. It’s a great time of year and there is lots of fun to be had. Come to the city, have a good time and experience some of the events that help to make New Orleans a one of a kind city.

Fischer Pest Control is proud to be a part of the local New Orleans community for more than 50 years. We hope to find this guide helpful and we’ll see you out at the festivals this spring!