Orlando Pest Control News

What is Fast Growing?  Difficult to Control and Unpredictable?

No, not your teenager…crabgrass!

Crabgrass is a tenacious weed, however it can be controlled with the proper treatment.

Crabgrass is an aggressive fast growing weed that attacks St. Augustine and other turf grass with a vengence. Crabgrass grows laterally covering turf leaf blades starving it of sunlight needed to thrive. Crabgrass is extremely difficult to control because it grows 8 times faster than St. Augustine easily overwhelming a lawn in very little time.

Crabgrass seeds can remain dormant in the soil for years. With the proper conditions, moisture and humidity, dormant seeds will germinate and crabgrass spreads. A single crabgrass plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds that grow at a rapid pace.

Crabgrass thrives in sunlight & moisture, which is why it is such a recurring problem in Florida. The climate and conditions in Florida are the perfect setting for this pesky weed.

Homeowner, Lori of Oviedo writes:

“I’ve been with the same lawn company for years and been very happy with the service. However, when a large section of my lawn was taken over by crabgrass, I called them out to my home.  My technician told me that they do not treat for crabgrass & that I could try to treat it myself or I could pay for them to round it up and re-sod.  Needless to say, I’m extremely disappointed”.

Unfortunately, Lori’s story is common.

Most lawn companies do not treat for crabgrass for a couple of reasons:

1) Crabgrass is difficult to control. It takes multiple follow-up applications to control crabgrass once it’s germinated and actively growing.

2) Crabgrass is timely and expensive to treat. Treating crabgrass typically takes longer than a lawn without crabgrass. There are specific products in the industry that professionals use to control crabgrass. Most companies do not use these because of the cost factor.

A healthy lawn is the best prevention for crabgrass. This includes having the correct treatments at the correct times of year with proper watering and mowing.

Tips for maintaining a healthy lawn and preventing crabgrass:

Irrigation: Water your lawn less frequently but more deeply into the soil. Crabgrass thrives in shallowly watered lawns.

Mowing: Mow your lawn high ideally leaving 3.5” to 4” of turf.

Bare spots: Don’t leave bare areas of lawn. Re-sod bare areas quickly. Bare areas are an ideal place for crabgrass to spread into and thrive.

Proper Fertilization: Properly fertilize your lawn with a 2:1 ratio nitrogen and potassium in the spring and fall. Pre emergents are the best defense in preventing crabgrass seeds from germinating in the first place. These are best applied in late winter and early spring.

Heron is one of the very few companies in Central Florida who treat crabgrass. While crabgrass is an aggressive weed, it can be controlled with the proper care. If you have any questions, please call the Lawn Hotline at 1-800-81-HERON.

Owner Steve Okros, Mayor Fred Costello & the Ormond Beach team cut ribbon to commemorate Grand Opening of the Volusia County Office.

HERON ANNOUNCES THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW BRANCH IN ORMOND BEACH

For many years now, each time a referral came into the office for a potential customer just outside the “original” Heron service area, we took the request seriously, and were anxious to do the right thing. As time would soon make very clear, the good people in Volusia County were about to become a growing customer base for Heron.

Once we begin servicing these areas, we become very motivated to do more than just commute in and out of the county. We seek to employ people who live in Volusia County, support vendors who do business there and contribute to the local economy by establishing a presence in Volusia County.

On June 1, 2010 Heron Lawn and Pest Control proudly opened the doors to the new Ormond Beach facility. We held a grand opening celebration & ribbon cutting ceremony. Thank you to Mayor Fred Costello for attending! The Ormond Beach Pest Control branch, now fully staffed and functioning, covers our customers from Volusia & Flagler Counties including: Palm Coast, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Flagler Beach, Daytona Beach and surrounding areas offering pest control, lawn fertilization, shrub care, palm care, termite control & sod installation.

The Ormond Beach team wishes to extend a heart-felt thank you to all our existing Volusia and Flagler County customers. You may rest assured we will continue to provide you with all the things you have come to expect from us, and we thank you for your many referrals and kind words of support.

Fresh Healthy Sod cut daily! Delivered to your home & installed by a professional sod installer.

Why is Heron’s Sod the best? It’s all in the health of the soil & growing conditions of the sod before it ever reaches your lawn. Heron sod is grown in healthy soil that is high in nutrient concentration. The soil has been pretreated for fungus, insects, mold, has the proper PH & nutrient concentration. Quality growing conditions produce top quality sod right off the sod farm using muck a based process.

Heron’s sod is superior quality!

All Sod is NOT Created Equal! We see it time & time again where homeowner’s have bought sod only to see it die within weeks. Often times in these cases, the sod hasn’t had proper pretreatment or healthy growing conditions. We’ve seen numerous cases where the new sod is untreated and arrives to your home with brown patch fungus, pythium root rot & sod web worms. After the sod is laid, these damaging insects, fungus & diseases spread infecting the rest of your lawn. You may save some money on the front end by purchasing cheaper sod but lose thousands by having to replace your entire lawn. Be sure to ask how your sod has been treated prior to it arriving at your home.

What type of sod does Heron offer? The most common sod is St. Augustine including shade varieties & Floratam. We also have Zoysia and Bermuda. If you have a special request, we can typically meet your needs.

How does Heron’s sod cutting & delivery process yield thriving sod with best results? Heron is one of few companies that cut the sod at night, completely cover it & deliver the next morning. This ensures the least amount of time from when the sod is cut until being installed. This is key to keeping the sod fresh & moist so it’s in the healthiest condition upon arrival. After the sod is cut, it never sees sunlight before it’s laid in your lawn. This gives your sod the healthiest start & best opportunity to thrive.

It is common practice in the sod industry to cut sod in the mornings, load it on a truck & deliver the next day. This is not ideal because the sod has set in the sun often times for 24 hours or more to wilt, dehydrate all day long & endure immense stress. It’s difficult for distressed sod to take root & thrive.

Why is muck based sod more resilient than sand or loam based sod? Heron uses muck grown sod as opposed to sand or loam grown sod which is an unparallel difference in quality. Muck based sod refers to the type of soil the sod is grown in. Muck based soil holds water & nutrients better yielding the healthiest sod as opposed to sand or loam grown sod. Because sand is so porous, it lets both water & nutrients flow out. Sod grown in sand doesn’t maintain the proper hydration or nutrients. Muck based sod is grown in nutrient rich soil with a healthy organic makeup and tends to take root better when laid giving your sod the healthiest start & best results.

How is muck based sod more economical? Because muck based sod holds in water better than sand or loam based sod, it requires less watering costing you less to irrigate.

When do I water my sod? Before sod is even laid, soil should be moist. It is crucial that your new sod gets watered immediately after installation. Note there are no watering restrictions on newly laid sod. New sod should be watered at least twice a day receiving ¼ to ½” of water each time. For the best accuracy, set out cups & measure the amount of water hitting the sod to ensure your sod is receiving proper amount of water. This is critical and often overlooked. Improper watering can result in your sod deteriorating.

Why is a locate service prior to sod installation important? Heron arranges a locate service before installation. This ensures that we are aware of cable & internet lines running underground in your lawn. If you are using another sod company, request that they use a locate service because if they cut a line, the cost incurred for repairs typically falls on the homeowner.

Call today for your free lawn analysis & sod estimate!

Put away your shotguns & machetes, step out of the bomb shelter. This army is not wearing fatigues or carrying machine guns, they are however lethal when they launch an attack on your lawn.

What army is invading Florida you ask?  Army worms!

Many pests that attack turf grass are predictable like chinch bugs, mole crickets and crabgrass. We see these pests often and know what to expect. Other pests that are less predictable can be the biggest challenge. Army worms fall into this category.

Army worms get their name because they often travel in groups. They attack by chewing on the leaf blades of grass decimating large areas at a time. Their meals of preference are St. Augustine & Burmuda Grass. An infestation of army worms can destroy a lawn in days.

“We’re receiving an influx of calls from homeowner’s in Orlando and throughout Central Florida who have army worms in their lawns.  If treated right away, we stop the army worms before they cause much destruction.  If left untreated, the result can be devastating and end with a lawn needing a full sod replacement.  A proactive approach is the best defense, treating the lawn to protect it from army worms to begin with. –Steve Okros, Entomologist.

Some signs to look for are areas of grass that look like they have been mowed too short or you may even see brown patches. When an infestation is extreme, the lawn can even appear as though it is moving. You may also see birds flocking to the lawn to feast on the army worms. Like many pests, often times when you see the signs, extensive damage has already been done.

What do these fierce soldiers look like? Army worms are hairless caterpillars. They can range in color from tan to olive green with yellow stripes running down the body. Dark circles are present on the midsection & a recognizable inverted yellow or white Y is present on the head.

Army worms have 3 life cycles: Female moths lay eggs in clusters of 50-150 laying up to 2,000 eggs in her lifespan. The female moth covers the egg mass with hair which looks like felt. The eggs hatch into caterpillars. Fully grown army worms are approx. 1.5 inches long. Grown army worms burrow themselves into the soil. After about two weeks, they emerge as moths. Then the lifecycle repeats itself.

You can’t assume that spraying one application of insecticides will alleviate army worms. They have multiple generations and often times the first generation is eliminated and the second is not. Another rising problem in Florida is that army worms becoming resistant to insecticides.

Think you may have army worms? While it is always best to have a licensed pest control professional perform an inspection, there is a simple test you can do on your own… a soapy water flush. Mix a bucket of water with 2 tablespoons of dishwashing detergent. Pour the mixture over 1 square yard of

Even superman himself can’t save the day from these villains. Resistant chinch bugs wreak havoc on Central Florida lawns. These pesky invaders have become resistant to every major chemical used against them, leaving St. Augustine lawns destroyed throughout the state of Florida.

Chinch bugs are the most common threat to St. Augustine lawns in Florida and by far the most difficult insect-pest to control. Chinch bugs attack grass by sucking out the nutrients from the leaf blades & regurgitating poisonous chemicals back into the plant killing the grass. When chinch bugs attack a lawn, the only choices are to treat with insecticides or to watch the lawn die.

Though an adult female chinch bug only live 2 months, they lay up 300 eggs in this short life span. Because of this rapid population growth, a small area of chinch bug damage can quickly overtake a lawn if left untreated. Even worse, chinch bug populations, known as super chinch bugs or resistant chinch bugs, have become immune to pesticides. An integrated pest management program must be implemented to control a chinch bug infestation.

Only the newer classification of insecticides called Neonicotinoids will control these “bugs of steel”. These newer insecticides cost 10 times more on average than traditional insecticides so make sure your lawn spray company uses them.

If you have any questions about resistant chinch bugs, email cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com. An expert entomologist will answer your questions.

Green pest control…A Responsible solution that is effective in fighting the toughest of pests in Central Florida!

Heron Lawn & Pest control is proud to be a green company! “Now more than ever it is the responsibility of everyone to take the right steps today to give our environment a greener healthier future & we couldn’t be prouder to play a part.”-Rodney Lackey, CEO

Heron Lawn & Pest Control is committed to being environmentally responsible in all its practices. Heron provides its customers with green friendly pest prevention services as well as lawn fertilization & termite control & prevention.

Here are some of the ways Heron is green!

1. Heron’s Proactive Approach through Integrated Pest Management. Technicians thoroughly inspect, assess, & then treat.

2. Custom Applications: Heron applies appropriate products as they are needed. No pre mixed products! Each application is custom blended for the property’s needs.

3. Heron uses Environmentally Favorable Products

4. Heron’s Unwavering Commitment on Research & Investing in the Best Products

5. GPS Monitored Vehicles: Creates less fuel consumption, emissions & more efficient routing.

6. Sales fleet of eco friendly vehicles: Averaging 36 mpg.

7. We RECYCLE!

8. Led by expert Entomologists: Florida conditions change as pests become immune to products. Our entomologists stay current on the on local conditions & implement the most environmentally conscious ways to treat problems with most effective products. Heron’s entomologists conduct ongoing training to service consultants & technicians and conduct ongoing research of new products.

9. BMP Certified: Green Industries Best Management Practices certified with an in-house BMP instructor. Certification is achieved through extensive education & BMP course completion. With BMP knowledge & implementation, Heron practices best methods to protect water resources in Florida and increase environmental knowledge & awareness throughout the pest control industry.

10. Lawn Programs are lake friendly allowing buffer zone and phosphorus free fertilizers.

Heron offers green pest control to the following areas: Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Oviedo, Longwood, Winter Springs, Maitland, Casselberry, Sanford, Chuluota, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Clermont, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Celebration, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Hunter’s Creek, St. Cloud, Haines City, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Villages, Mt. Dora, Groveland, Ocala, Deland, Deltona, Debary, Orange City, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach & more.

It’s summer time and they’re out to play! Yeah you guessed it, bugs, bugs & more bugs! Bugs & pests in Central Florida are here to stay. They’re looking for three things food, water & shelter…sound familiar? Yup, the exact same things we humans need to survive. This is why your home is a perfect target for bugs & pests to call home.

While a pest control professional is the best guarantee to rid your home of these creepy crawlers, there are some easy steps homeowners can take to help:

1. Your countertops are a delectable 7 course meal to bugs & pests. Avoid leaving food on your countertops. Seal as much of your food as possible in air tight storage containers…especially fruit! Because bugs can get into the most tightly sealed packaging, consider storing many of your dried goods like pasta, cereal, sugar, flour etc in containers.

2. Wash those dishes! Leaving dishes in the sink to soak or wash later is an open invitation to bugs & pests!

3. Drips! The little ones may do a great job pouring their own syrup or honey. You cheer them on and put the bottle away in the pantry. However, drips down the rim & side of the jar are bug magnets. Be sure to wipe bottles clean after use including honey, syrup, oil peanut butter, etc.

4. Be neat where you eat! It’s inevitable…even the most well mannered eaters drop crumbs. Limit the areas that you eat to the kitchen/dining room. Eating in bedrooms, living rooms etc. exposes the whole house to crumbs, which bugs love!

5. Check for leaks & moisture under sinks & drains frequently. This is a common water source for bugs & pests.

6. Bugs & pests are always looking for a way in to your home from outside. Check windows & screens for holes. Caulk & seal any perimeter areas on the exterior of your home that need it. Place screens on anything connecting the outside to the inside including dryer vents.

7. Properly seal windows & doors. If you see daylight coming through sides, top or bottom of the door, the door may be closed… but is wide open for bugs & pests.

8. Fido’s food bowl…an open buffet! Avoid leaving pet food in the bowl around the clock. Bugs aren’t picky eaters…pet food, people food, it’s all the same. Limit pet feeding times & wash out the pet bowl after each use.

9. Rinse before recycling! Rinse out plastic, glass & metal containers that are being recycled.

10. Is your trash clean? Probably not, but be sure to rinse out garbage cans once a month. A scrub brush & a garden hose do the trick well! Also, always keep lids on your trash cans.

11. Do you have a bird bath or a bug bath? Standing dirty water is a bug haven. Clean out your bird baths often. Even children’s toys in the lawn can fill up with water attracting bugs.

12. Trim bushes, trees, shrubs & flower beds that touch your home. Bugs love foliage & foliage is a bridge to your home. Trimming regularly reduces the risk of infestations.

If you have any questions or would like to have a pest control professional eliminate your home of bugs & pests guaranteed Call 1-800-81-HERON for a free inspection. If you have any questions or would like Heron to write on a specific topic please email your question or topic to: cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com. Hope these tips help!

As “Your Green Choice”, Heron Lawn & Pest Control is dedicated to being environmentally responsible. With an intense focus on our commitment to green practices, Heron is excited to announce that as of June 5, all service technicians are BMP Certified (Best Management Practices).

BMP Certification is a program developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection designed to create awareness on the importance of reducing pollution and conserving water. BMP training teaches green industries professionals how to implement practices that will protect waterways from non-point source pollution. Green industries including pest control, landscapers and lawn care professionals are leading the way in this initiative. By 2014, BMP Certification will be mandatory for green industries. Heron is one of the first 5 pest control companies in Florida to achieve BMP Certification. In addition to all service technicians being BMP certified, owner Steve Okros is a certified BMP instructor.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to spend quality time training Heron Employees on the core values of the green industries best management practices.”   -Steve Okros, Associate Certified Entomologist and Certified BMP Instructor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heron Lawn & Pest Control is proud to announce its Grand Opening of Leesburg Location and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled to be held on Friday, May 21 at 2:30.  You are cordially invited to attend our celebration! Local officials and dignitaries will be on hand for the celebration starting at 2:30 and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 3:30 along with Founders Rodney Lackey, Steve Okros and Joseph Patti.  Join us for food, music and a great time.   The community is invited to stop by and enter a drawing to win free services!

- Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

- Friday, May 21, 2010  2:30 p.m., Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 3:30 p.m.

-  3411 West Main Street Suite 6  Leesburg, FL 34748

Heron Lawn & Pest Control opened in 2002 with three strong willed partners, 1 truck and a dream.  Through hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellent service, Heron Lawn & Pest Control has grown to 74 employees, 62 fleet and 4 Central Florida locations in only 8 years.  Heron is in the top 100 Pest Control companies in the US and has been named the fastest growing pest control company in the US for 3 years in a row by PCT Magazine.   With unprecedented growth, Heron is committed to providing the highest quality of service to customers and a family atmosphere to its employees.

“We are really excited about taking this footstep put into Lake and Marion Counties! We have serviced customers out here for several years now, and have had an overwhelming response of great feedback from them. We look forward to working closely with the community of Leesburg as well as the county! We appreciate the hospitality that has been shown as well as all of the support! -Rodney Lackey

For more information, contact Cherissa Vandergriff at 407-478-6915 or email cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com.  Please RSVP by phone or email.  Visit us online at www.heronpest.com.

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HERON RELOCATES LARGEST SALES AND SERVICE CENTER PLUS CORPORATE OFFICE TO APOPKA

 
In March of 2010 the office that covers all of Seminole and the northern portion of Orange County relocated permanently to Apopka.  The enormous project was overseen by Apopka native Brenda Jones, who also just happens to be a six-year Heron veteran corporate staff member. “Our biggest challenge,” Brenda announced, “was performing all aspects of the relocation while keeping the chaos completely transparent to our customers. We insisted on zero service disruption.”
 
Of course, Heron has been doing business in Apopka since the first day the doors were opened. There is an enormous customer base in this expanding area, and we have been fortunate enough to enjoy a very healthy working relationship with its residents - both residential and commercial. Heron also has a well-established little league sponsorship history with two youth teams from Apopka over the years. When you take into account the great many Heron team members that live in Apopka, all these reasons combine to make us feel right at home here.
 
But even more exciting than all that for this new relationship is Heron’s policy of Corporate stewardship in each community we reside in. That means we have sought out local Apopka vendors as part of our support staff. Vendors like printers and auto repair facilities. We are now patrons of two large Apopka service stations to meet our fleet fuel needs. We are pumping many thousands of dollars into the community in taxes and occupancy fees, and as if that weren’t enough, our continued growth in Apopka means jobs, jobs, jobs!!
 
Every full time Heron position comes with top-shelf medical, dental, disability and life insurance benefits. When you add a company vehicle (in most cases) and a very generous salary, you can see why we enjoy such high employee retention rates. 
 
We thank you for making us feel so welcome. We thank you for your support, and your very generous referrals. Please feel free to stop in and say  hello if you are near the S. Orange Blossom Trail area and you are a customer. We would be thrilled to show you around.