Most homeowners know what services are necessary for good Nashville lawn care: proper mowing, aeration, overseeding, adequate hydration and fertilizer. Aeration is one of the most beneficial Nashville lawn care services, especially if you live in an area that experiences episodes of little to no rainfall. Aerating your Nashville lawn will allow the water from your irrigation system to reach the grass roots directly and be immediately absorbed. However, even though aeration ensures that your Nashville lawn and soil are manipulated, you should go one step further and also have your soil periodically tested by a Nashville lawn care professional.

A soil test is a fairly simple procedure and many Nashville lawn care companies offer the service for free in conjunction with their Nashville lawn care programs. The Nashville lawn care technician will take a small soil sample and have it sent to a lab. A qualified soil expert will examine the sample and look at the pH level (acidity); the presence or absence of such macronutrients as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen; the presence or absence of such micronutrients as iron, calcium, zinc, boron, manganese, copper and other nutrients that deter weed growth and enhance the Nashville lawn’s resistance to insect and disease infestations; the soil type, which can help your Nashville lawn care technician create a preventative plan to reduce the incidence of compaction; and levels of decomposed plant material, also known as thatch.

Once the results are back, your Nashville lawn care specialists can consult with you on what the best plan of action is regarding your Nashville lawn care regimen. To schedule a soil analysis, call your local Nashville lawn care company today.

Ants can be a frustrating problem when it comes to them invading your home. Ants can smell food from many miles away, so if there are any crumbs, food left out or spills, ants will find a way into your home to clean up after you. You can always rely on baits, but if you have children or pets in the home, here are a few natural remedies that are effective but safe for the entire household.

Grits. Yep, that’s right. Use more food to get rid of ants by using quick grits. The end result for the ants isn’t pleasant, as the grits expand in their stomachs and cause the ants to die. You can sprinkle the grits in any area where you have notice ants and voila! They will be gone.

Boric acid. Boric acid can is effective, but pest control specialists warn that you should be careful not to inhale the fumes from the acid as it can cause breathing problems. The toxicity is low to humans, but if you have asthma or other breathing complications, you may want to try one of the other methods. Janitorial experts recommend mixing two parts of something sweet with one part boric acid.

Lemons. Make a concoction of half lemon juice and half water in a spray bottle. Spray around areas where ants frequent, and as well as areas where they may gain entrance to your home such as windows, doors, etc.

Spices. Pest control experts say there are a wide variety of spices that can be used to eliminate ants; however, you have to strategically make a line of the spice that will make it hard for the ants to travel around. Peppermint oil, black pepper, cayenne pepper and cinnamon can all be used to get rid of your ant problem.

Pest control authorities say all these remedies will be effective, but the best way to keep ants out is by cleaning up crumbs and spills as soon as possible and not leaving food out.

Anyone who is an animal owner probably knows that dogs and cats will eat the strangest things – including bugs. In fact, in my house, if there’s a fly, all I have to do is alert my cat to this fact (if he isn’t already on the job) and he will flit about the house until he catches that fly with his paw and quickly maneuver the insect into his mouth where he happily chews this buzzing treat. It’s gross, but honestly, I have no problem with it.

Letting our pets do our bug hunting for us is an all-too-easy task and you may not see any harm in the habit. In most cases, you both win – you get rid of the bug and the pet gets an apparently tasty snack. However, we may not consider that these insects could be hazardous to our furry friends.

If you or your neighbors have your Nashville lawn or landscape treated by a Nashville pest control company, there may be areas where you need to keep your family pet away from so he doesn’t come into contact with the chemicals. But what if insects that have had contact with the treated plants get into your home? They may have remnants of the Nashville pest control spray on them which could pose a serious threat to a cat or dog if ingested.

If your yard is being treated by a Nashville pest control company, you may want to ask about child- and pet-friendly applications. If those aren’t available, take steps to ensure your pet stays away from the area and for the time being, and dissuade them when possible from eating insects. This might mean you’ll actually have to do the bug-squashing yourself and your pup or kitty might get angry that you took away the hunt, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Mowing might seem like the simplest of Nashville lawn care tasks, but it is actually quite important to know how to properly mow your Nashville lawn to ensure the best results. Over-mowing or mowing at the wrong times or height can have detrimental effects on your Nashville lawn. Here are some Nashville lawn care tips on proper mowing procedures.

Most Nashville lawns are dormant during the winter months, so once spring rolls around, it is time to drag the mower out and get back into the routine. But when you should begin mowing? Lawn care technicians recommend keeping the mower stored away until the ground is thoroughly thawed. Once the ground is soft, that means that grass is growing and mowing it will not cause any damage to the crowns or the shoots.

Most people know that allowing the excess clippings to remain on the Nashville lawn is beneficial because as the clippings deteriorate, they become natural fertilizer for the soil below. However, for the first few cuts, attach the bag and gather the clippings. Allow your Nashville lawn to grow and breathe without the weight of clippings on top of it.

Lawn care professionals recommend mowing your Nashville lawn at a slightly shorter height than you may typically have your mower set. If you normally mow at three inches, take it down to two. This will allow your Nashville lawn better stimulation to get the season started off right.

If you have any questions about spring mowing, contact your local Nashville lawn care professionals.

During the winter we prepare for harsh weather by piling on layers of clothing and wearing heavy coats, gloves, hats and scarves; unfortunately, not many people think about how the living things in their yards and gardens react to the cold.  Trees and shrubs are vulnerable to cold weather just like we are.  If new growth in the early  Fall doesn’t have enough time to harden off, experts say the sudden drop in temperatures can create ice crystals that can rupture cell walls, resulting in dead branch tips and branches.

Officials at a state cooperative extension service say one of the biggest problems for trees and shrubs is the sharp temperature change from day into night during the winter.  They say that dramatic change can actually freeze the water in the trunks of trees, causing them to explode or split open.  That reaction is called frost cracking.  Sometimes these cracks can close when warm weather returns, if the damage isn’t that severe.  Many shrubs can suffer from something similar, called bark split.  Extension service officials say those particularly susceptible are many cultivars of evergreen azaleas.  In most cases plants close over the cracks with no treatment necessary.

During this winter there are some things you can do to protect your trees and shrubs.  You can wrap the trunks with burlap strips or commercial tree wrap.  Experts also recommend painting the trunks white or shading them with a board to prevent bark splitting.  These methods reflect sunlight and reduce temperature fluctuations, like the buildup of heat during the day, that cause splitting.  All wraps should be removed after one season to stop insect or moisture damage.

Pest Control Tip: Make a Plastic Ziploc Bag Trap

• Place a few slices of an apple or other sweet fruit inside a freezer bag.
• Open that bag about an inch to allow the fruit flies to enter and surround the fruit.
• Zip the bag closed, trapping them inside and release them outside.

Vacuum Cleaner Method

• Pest control experts say fruit flies tend to congregate in certain areas, so if your vacuum is powerful and has a good filter you can easily suck up lots of them and eliminate them from your home.
• Use the vacuum cleaner attachment and to suck the flies into the shaft.
• Trick the flies. Dip a couple pieces of paper towel or cotton swabs in jelly or cider vinegar and then securely tape them inside the vacuum cleaner attachment. When the flies start going inside, turn on the vacuum cleaner and get them by surprise!

Pest control experts recommend disposing the dust and other contents of the vacuum outside or get rid of the inner bag in order to keep these flies from getting back into your home.

Termites are not the only insect that can cause serious damage to the structure of your home; woodworms will bore into the wood of your house, furniture and other areas where they are afforded a woody protection.

Pest control experts say woodworms often go undetected for years because the adults, also known as Furniture Beetles, will lay their eggs in the wood of your furniture. Once the larvae have emerged, they will bore into the wood and remain there for a few years. They will also leave the furniture and get into the structural wood of your home, where their boring can cause serious damage.

The best pest control method to protect against woodworms is to not bring used furniture into your home. Pest control specialists say this is typically how most homes become infested with woodworms. However, the adult woodworm can fly and if a window or door is left open, they can easily fly into your home. If you notice that woodworms are present in your home, your local pest control company can apply a special insecticide. They can also apply or suggest polishes that are designed to protect your furniture from woodworm invasions. If you have windows that you like to keep open, make sure they have screens so adult woodworms cannot fly into your home.

If you notice holes in your wooden furniture, that is a sure sign that woodworms are present. It is important to contact your pest control company quickly before these insects can cause problems for your home’s structure.

Pest control specialists say neem oil is a popular choice among homeowners who prefer an organic Nashville pesticide that targets harmful insects. The oil is derived from the seeds of neem trees and is used as a Nashville pesticide, in skin care products, as fertilizer and for many other uses. When used as a Nashville pesticide, it is safe and effective, and is an ideal choice when you want to protect other animals or children who could possibly be exposed.

Pest control professionals say neem oil is also preferable because it typically does not affect beneficial insects such as ladybugs or bees. Its benefit comes from deterring specific insects from propagating or completing their life cycle by affecting their hormone cycle, but it also kills whiteflies, Japanese beetles, mites, aphids and other foliage-ingesting insects. As the neem oil works to eliminate nuisance Nashville pests from your garden, it also acts as a fungicide. Neem oil has been proven effective in preventing or correcting mildew, leaf spot, rust, black spot and many more fungi that can have detrimental effects on your plants.

Neem oil is pretty simple to make, but there are some places that sell it so you don’t have to find the ingredients yourself. However you decide to get the neem oil, it is important to apply it in the early morning or late afternoon so as to avoid hurting valuable insects. Pest control experts say neem oil can suffocate them or cause serious harm. It is recommended you spray neem oil when bugs are inactive just to be on the safe side. Once the neem oil has completely dried, it will no longer be a threat to the bugs you want in your garden, but only those insects that chew or suck on the foliage. When you spray the neem oil, be sure to thoroughly spray all plant surfaces, including underneath leaves until the plant is completely saturated. This process needs to be repeated every seven to 14 days.

Call your local Nashville pest control company and inquire as to whether they use neem oil or other organic Nashville pesticides.

No one wants to get stung by a wasp. Their stings hurt tremendously and if you’re allergic to them, a sting can be detrimental to your health, especially since they’re not like bees that can only sting once. Wasps are capable of stinging multiple times and don’t necessarily need a reason to sting you. Since wasps tend to build their nests close to homes, sometimes INSIDE homes, it is very important to get rid of them before they become a hazard to you and your family.

Pest control experts say there are right ways to remove wasps and wrong ways. Wrong ways might include hosing them down with water during the middle of the day. Definitely going to incur the wrath of these wily wasps with that method. Pretty much any kind of removal activity that occurs during the day is going to be a bad idea. Wasps are very active during the daytime and are going to be on guard to defend their nest.

Pest control technicians recommend planning an all-out evening or nighttime assault when wasps are dormant and will be caught off-guard. The key to getting rid of wasps for good is to eliminate the nest. Pest control specialists recommend spraying the nest with an insecticide to make sure the wasps within are either dead or severely incapacitated. Once you are able to access the nest safely, remove and destroy it as soon as possible.

Once the nest has been removed and all signs of these stinging insects are gone, create a barrier to ensure that future nests are not constructed. This might mean caulking cracks or crevices or fixing holes in your attic (wasps often like to build nests in attics). If you’ve managed to get rid of the nest but aren’t sure how to keep them from coming back, contact your local pest control company. They will know how to efficiently protect your property from further infestations and will have a perimeter pest control product to help stave off wasps.

If you choose to have pets, you will more than likely experience an unpleasant flea infestation at some point. Almost impossible to kill with your bare hands, at the first sight of fleas immediate action should be taken. Everyone knows the standard treatments of topical medications for your pet’s fur and aerosol bombs to let off inside your home to kill flea infestations, but the most underused and unrealized weapon in depleting fleas once and for all is the vacuum.

Fleas find your pet’s fur and skin an ideal place to lay their eggs, however, more than 90% of the fleas-to-be will fall from the fur onto your carpet, the pet’s bedding or other surfaces where your furry friend frequents. Since flea bombs kill only existing insects, the eggs will eventually hatch and start the cycle anew.

Before and especially after treating your pet and using aerosol sprays, vacuum along the edges of all rooms, especially those in which your pet lays. Make sure to use the vacuum extension to reach under all furniture, couch and chair cushions, beds and in closets. After you have thoroughly vacuumed all affected areas, discard your vacuum bag or vacuum canister contents in a plastic garbage bag, closing it tightly, and place in an outdoor garbage bin, preferably far from your house.

Don’t put that vacuum away just yet, though. Those eggs mentioned earlier could have been left behind and have since hatched, meaning you have a few new fleas. Thorough vacuuming should take place every day for about two weeks.