Understand the Difference Between Bees and Wasps

Before you take action, it’s important to distinguish between bees and wasps, as their impact on your garden and the methods for managing them can differ significantly. Bees are generally less aggressive and play a crucial role in pollination. Wasps, on the other hand, are more likely to be aggressive and are also important predators of pest insects.

Assess the Situation

When you notice bees or wasps near your home, identify if they have built a nest and determine its location. If the nest is hidden or in a hard-to-reach spot, you might need professional help to remove it safely.

When to Remove Bees and Wasps

The best time to approach a nest is during the late evening or early morning when bees and wasps are less active. This reduces the chances of getting stung. Always wear protective clothing, including gloves, a mask, and eye protection, regardless of how passive the nest seems.

Natural Remedies to Deter Bees and Wasps

1. Peppermint Oil: Both bees and wasps dislike the scent of peppermint. Mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spraying it around your home can help deter them.
2. Vinegar Spray: Create a mixture of water and vinegar and spray it around potential entry points and nest areas to repel bees and wasps.
3. Soap and Water: A spray made from soap and water can be effective in killing bees and wasps on contact. This solution clogs their breathing pores and is a humane method to control their population.

Removing a Nest

1. Identify the Type of Nest: Paper wasp nests are umbrella-shaped and often found under eaves. Honeybee hives are larger and more complex. Knowing the type helps determine the best approach.
2. Prepare Your Approach: If you decide to remove the nest yourself, do it at night. Ensure you have a quick escape route planned.
3. Use an Insecticide: Select a spray designed for bees or wasps and apply it directly to the nest, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
4. Physical Removal: Once the inhabitants are dealt with, remove the nest to prevent re-colonization. Place it in a sealed bag and dispose of it in a covered trash bin.

Call the Professionals

Removing a nest, especially a large or inaccessible one, can be dangerous. Professional pest control experts can remove nests safely, using methods that minimize risks to both the people and the insects involved. They can also offer advice on preventing future infestations.

Preventing Bees and Wasps from Returning

1. Seal Entry Points: Check for cracks and openings around your home and seal them to prevent bees and wasps from entering.
2. Keep Food Covered: During outdoor activities, keep food and sweet beverages covered to avoid attracting bees and wasps.
3. Manage Garbage: Ensure that garbage bins are tightly sealed and emptied regularly.
4. Maintain the Yard: Regular maintenance helps reduce nesting opportunities for bees and wasps. Keep bushes trimmed and eliminate standing water.

Landscaping to Deter Bees and Wasps

Choose plants that do not attract bees and wasps or position attractive plants further from your home. Marigolds, citronella, and eucalyptus are known to deter bees and wasps and can be included in your garden to help keep these insects at bay.

Environmental Considerations

Whenever possible, choose removal methods that do not harm bees, especially since many species are endangered. Contact local beekeepers who may be able to relocate the hive without harming the bees. Use chemical interventions as a last resort and select products that are environmentally friendly.

Dealing with Allergies

If someone in your houseJhold is allergic to bee or wasp stings, it’s crucial to have an emergency plan in place. This should include having access to an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and knowing the quickest route to medical help.

Legal Considerations

In some regions, certain bee species are protected, and removing or destroying their hives can be illegal. Always check local wildlife protection laws before taking action against a bee nest.

Balancing Safety with Conservation

Understanding how to get rid of bees and wasps involves a balance between ensuring human safety and conserving beneficial insect populations. By taking a careful and informed approach, you can manage these insects effectively while minimizing harm to the ecosystem.

If you’re facing a bee or wasp problem and need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our pest control experts. Visit our website to learn more about our services or to get professional help with your bee and wasp concerns. Let us help you maintain a safe, comfortable, and pest-free environment.

The post How to Get Rid of Bees and Wasps: Safe and Effective Strategies appeared first on Pest Control.

Understanding Yellow Jackets

To effectively keep yellow jackets away, it’s important to understand a bit about their habits and behaviors. Yellow jackets are attracted to proteins and sweets, which is why they are often found buzzing around garbage bins, picnics, and outdoor gatherings where food is served.

Secure Food Sources

One of the most effective ways to keep yellow jackets away is to manage and secure food sources:

• Cover Food: Always keep food covered during outdoor events. Use mesh food covers to protect dishes without hiding them from view.
• Clean Promptly: Clear away food scraps and beverage spills immediately to avoid attracting yellow jackets.
• Secure Garbage: Ensure that garbage cans have tightly fitting lids and are emptied regularly. Rinse containers that hold sweets or proteins before disposing of them in outdoor trash bins.

Reduce Attractants

Yellow jackets are drawn to sweet scents and proteins, so it’s crucial to minimize these attractants:

• Avoid Sweet Perfumes: When spending time outdoors, opt for unscented lotions and avoid floral or sweet perfumes.
• Remove Fallen Fruit: Regularly clean up fallen fruit from trees in your yard, as the fermentation attracts yellow jackets.

Water Source Management

Like many creatures, yellow jackets need water to survive. Eliminating sources of standing water can help keep them at bay:

• Empty Water Containers: Regularly empty out birdbaths, buckets, and other containers that collect rainwater.
• Fix Leaks: Repair leaky faucets and hoses to prevent pooling water, which could attract yellow jackets.

Proper Landscaping

Maintaining your yard can also help deter yellow jackets:

• Trim Shrubs and Trees: Keep vegetation trimmed and away from your house to reduce nesting spots.
• Grass Maintenance: Keep grass mowed to minimize hiding spots for yellow jackets.
• Choose Plants Wisely: Certain plants, like spearmint and eucalyptus, are known to repel wasps and can be integrated into your garden.

Natural Repellents

Several natural remedies can help keep yellow jackets away without the use of harsh chemicals:

• Peppermint Oil: Yellow jackets dislike the smell of peppermint. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray it around your deck, patio, and the perimeter of your house.
• Cloves: Place bowls of cloves on tables during picnics or meals outdoors to keep yellow jackets at a distance.
• Cucumber Slices: The acidic property of cucumbers repels yellow jackets. Scatter cucumber slices around your patio and garden area.

Decoy Nests

Yellow jackets are territorial and generally won’t nest within 200 feet of another colony. Hanging a few decoy nests around your property can be an effective deterrent:

• Purchase or Make Decoys: You can buy decoy nests or make your own using crumpled brown paper bags.
• Hang Decoys Early in the Season: Set up decoy nests early in the spring when yellow jackets start to look for nesting sites.

Physical Barriers

Creating physical barriers can prevent yellow jackets from entering certain areas:

• Install Screens: Use fine mesh screens on windows, doors, and porches to keep yellow jackets out.
• Use Fans: Setting up fans where you dine or gather can help keep yellow jackets away, as they have difficulty flying in windy conditions.

Professional Yellow jacket Control

If you have a persistent yellow jacket problem or find a nest, it might be time to call in the professionals. Pest control experts can safely remove nests and offer solutions for keeping yellow jackets away:

• Nest Removal: Professional removal is the safest way to handle a nest, particularly if it is large or in a difficult-to-reach area.
• Consultation: A professional can provide advice tailored to your specific situation and environment.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Regular monitoring of your property can help you spot potential yellow jacket problems early:

• Inspect Your Property: Regularly walk around your property to check for signs of yellow jacket activity.
• Maintain Barriers and Repellents: Keep up with the maintenance of physical barriers and refresh natural repellents regularly.

Enjoy Your Outdoor Spaces Safely

By understanding how to keep yellow jackets away, you can take proactive steps to protect your outdoor spaces. Implementing a combination of food security, water management, natural repellents, and professional pest control can provide a comprehensive defense against these aggressive pests. Don’t let yellow jackets ruin your summer—take control and enjoy your time outdoors in peace.

For more tips or if you need professional assistance with yellowjacket control, visit our website or contact our expert team today. We’re here to help you maintain a safe and enjoyable outdoor environment.

The post How to Keep Yellow Jackets Away: A Sting-Free Summer appeared first on Pest Control.

Here’s the quick summary list (see the infographic below for more details and research links):

Weather Proofing Your Home Windows

• Make sure your windows are installed correctly.
• Add shades or drapes.

Weather Proofing Your Home Doors

• Use door draft excluders.
• Fix leaks around doors and windows.

Weather Proofing Your Home Around the House

• Get a water heater insulating blanket.
• Insulate your outlets.
• Add attic insulation.

Weather Proofing Your Home Outside

• Insulate pipes around the outside of your home.
• Drain pipes if you’re leaving your home.
• Inspect your chimney.
• Trim trees around your home.

Weather Proofing Your Home Against Floods

• Always have a supply of sand bags available to protect exit doors.
• Try to keep all electric sockets and electrical appliances as high as possible off the floor.
• Install non-slip tiling on the ground floor instead of carpets.

Weather Proofing Your Home Through Insurance

• Check policy warranties.
• Keep policies updated.
• Photo inventory all valuables.

In addition, learn what % of damage is on average caused by rain, wind, show, ice and other elements. See the infographic below.

Weather Proofing Your Home Through Getting Smart Advice

When our experts at ApolloX Pest Control inspect a home for pests, we often discover other issues that need attention such as weather proofing. Though it’s best to have your home professionally inspected by a weather proofing expert, we may be able to point out a few of the larger weather proofing issues. After all, who else explores every corner of your home from the crawl space to the attic? Call ApolloX for a pest control inspection and you may discover some additional valuable information about your home.

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

Credit for this Weather Proofing Your Home infographic: Jim Flannery http://www.balcombes.ie/services/property-insurance/

The post Weather Proofing Your Home for Winter appeared first on Pest Control.

You could wait for better weather, or create a list of fun indoor home improvement tasks.

Indoor Home Improvement Projects: Consider these for idea starters: 

Indoor Home Improvement Projects: Free yourself to enjoy the outdoors when warm weather hits.

It can be enjoyable to tackle indoor home improvement projects during the cold wet Winter months, and in addition, when Spring arrives you’re free to give your total focus on outdoor activities!

By the way, if you happen to discover a pest issue while you’re engaged in your indoor home improvement projects (i.e. rats or mice in the attic, termite damage in the basement…etc.)…

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

The post Indoor Home Improvement Projects For Cold Winter Days appeared first on Pest Control.

Most people see insulation as one of those items like sheetrock, framing and siding, that you install in your home and then forget.

Inspect Replace Insulation: Just Like Your Appliances

Perhaps we’d do better to think of insulation like we think of paint, or appliances. We’re used to repainting our home at regular intervals. Just like the paint on your wall and the appliances in your kitchen, insulation experiences wear and tear that can severely curtail its effectiveness. Credits: Should I Replace My Insulation before winter? | Home Heating & Air …

Why Inspect Replace Insulation? Reason #1 – Lower Your Heating Bills

The entire purpose of insulation is to isolate your home from outside temperature changes as much as possible. Good insulation will keep your home warm in winter because it will prevent heat from escaping through the walls and ceiling of the house. Poor or worn out insulation will allow more heat to escape. This will not only make your house colder, it will cause an increase in your heating bill as your heating system struggles to replace the heat that is being lost. The worse off your insulation is, the more energy your heating system will have to consume to keep the house at the proper temperature.

Why Inspect Replace Insulation? Reason #2 – Helps Ensure Even Heating Across Your Home

Insulation doesn’t usually experience wear and tear at the same rate across the whole house. If one room wears down faster, it can lead to some very uncomfortable heating variance between rooms. As mentioned above, your heating system will have to work harder to reach the same temperature in areas where the insulation needs replacing. Since central heat affects the entire house, this can lead to one room being freezing while another is stiflingly hot.

Why Inspect Replace Insulation? Reason #3 – Stuff Happens When You’re Not Watching!

Insulation, as has been mentioned, is designed to retain warmth. That makes it an ideal substance for a great many animals and insects, whom prefer the warm environment of your attic to the harsh elements outside. Over time, you can almost have an entire mini-ecosystem living in the walls and ceiling of your house, which of course will cause damage to the insulation.

Credits: Should I Replace My Insulation before winter? | Home Heating & Air …

Of course, if you’re concerned that you might have a “mini ecosystem” in your insulation make a quick call:

ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

The post Inspect Replace Insulation: Top 3 Reasons appeared first on Pest Control.

Ice dams form when your home’s gutters get clogged, trapping water, which in turn freezes when cold front hovers over the area like we all expect this Northeastern Winter. Ice dams force water behind the siding into the home causing rotting wood and other invasive damage. They also tug away at your gutters, pulling them away from the home and worsening damage. In addition to the damage to the structure of your home, the water also creates a great breeding ground for pests. Credits: Ice Dams and Gutter Maintenance – Punch List

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Have a maintenance strategy.

One good way to avoid ice dams and the damage they cause is good, solid gutter maintenance and care. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. But they should always be watched for leaks and wear and tare.

If your gutters are above the first level roof of your home, you should probably call a professional. There is considerable danger when climbing a very tall ladder and working your way around a gunky, stubborn gutter clog. So if there’s any doubt about the safety of the height of your home’s gutters, call a pro.

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Equipment Checklist

• Sturdy ladder with a stabilizer so that you avoid denting your gutters.
• Gloves
• Garden trowel
• Mask and goggles (if your gutters are particularly filthy

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Inspection Checklist

• Check the gutter’s spikes, which fasten through the fascia behind the gutters. Replace any spikes that have worked their way loose.

• Check entire gutter system for rust. Treat or replace any rust-damaged gutters.

• Check the entire gutter system for leaks and holes. Once cleaned, you’ll want to fill those holes and reapply sealant where necessary.

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Cleaning Checklist

Ensure your ladder is sturdy and has proper footing at all times.

• Scoop any mud, leaves and other gunk out of the gutter
• Rinse thoroughly aiming toward the downspout with a garden hose sprayer. Be sure to avoid spraying near the shingles of your roof so as to avoid upending them with the water pressure.
• Clean the downspout by washing thoroughly with a water hose. If there is a clog deep down where you can’t reach, try using a simple auger to loosen it up.

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Post Cleaning Checklist

• Once cleaned thoroughly and dry, you can replace loose caulk behind the gutter and seal up any leaks you noted while cleaning.
• Rust should be sanded and then primed and painted over with rust-resistant paint.

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Frequency

• Check your gutters periodically for leaks and clogs, especially after rain storms.
• Do a thorough deep cleaning twice a year, at least: In the spring is a great time and just before the winter hits to avoid those ice dams.

Credits: Ice Dams and Gutter Maintenance – Punch List

Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Take Action

Know that if you have a gutter ice dam this Winter, chances are your gutters and possibly siding have become a perfect breeding ground for pests this Spring.

ApolloX Pest Control regularly inspects gutters and siding for moisture and rot in our mission to create a pest-free environment for your home.

We’ll climb the ladder if you need to know the condition of your gutter system, and we’ll see that your gutters never create an ice-friendly/pest-friendly environment.

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

The post Gutter Ice Dam Prevention: Quick Checklist appeared first on Pest Control.

Home Insulation Tips: Frozen pipes top the list.

Home insulation tips instantly bring to mind frozen pipes: Frozen pipes are the second most common cause of home insurance claims in the US, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Pipes that are either inadequately insulated or exposed to outside temperatures can freeze, rupture, and cause costly damage. 

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) recommends the following six inexpensive tips to ensure your home is well insulated. These steps will protect your home, save energy, and save you money too.

Home Insulation Tips: Water Pipes

Prevent Pipes from Freezing

1. Foam: Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts. For as little as $1 per 6′ of insulation, you can stop pipes from freezing and save energy.

2. Dome: Placing an insulating dome or other covering on outdoor faucets and spigots also reduce the likelihood of the water in your pipes freezing, expanding and causing a costly leak.

3. Drip: Drip your faucets, to reduce the build-up of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, you have released the pressure from the water system reducing the likelihood of a rupture. If you are going out of town, and suspect that temperatures will drop, turn off water to your home and open all of the taps to drain the water system. This way you won’t return to a frozen, soggy mess.

Home Insulation Tips: Windows and Doors

Insulate Your Windows and Doors

4. Check for air leaks around windows and doors using a lit incense stick. If the smoke is sucked out of an opening, seal the leak with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping.

5. The easiest place to insulate that will generate the biggest results is your attic. The US Environmental Protection Agency suggests at least 12 – 15 inches of insulation on the floor of your attic (more if you are in a colder climate).

6. If you don’t have energy efficient windows, consider using a shrink film window insulation kit from a local hardware store.

Credits: Nonprofit offers affordable home insulation tips for winter weather

If you’re totally successful in insulating your home against the cold, you might gain a few furry refugees. Mice and rats love to make nests in warm cozy home insulation.

The experts at ApolloX Pest Control are here to ensure that you and your family are not joined by smaller uninvited guests in your well insulated home this Winter!

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

The post Top 6 Home Insulation Tips for Winter appeared first on Pest Control.

We came across this Winter home protection punch list and thought we’d pass it on to our readers. Every Winter your home faces the very same forces of nature that gradually wear down mountains. Following the actions on this quick list will slow down that erosion process when it comes to your home so that you can enjoy many years of comfort and at some point realize a higher resale value.

Winter Home Protection Top 3:

1. Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. 
2. Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.
3. Keep your attic well ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice dams forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof’s edge, where it’s much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

Winter Home Protection: Post-Storm Action Items

Water intrusion and flood damage from melting snow and ice can threaten homes and businesses, but you can take these steps to help minimize the potential damage.

Immediately after the threat of physical danger has passed:

1. Make sure the building is structurally safe to enter or reoccupy.
2. Turn off electrical power. Do not use electricity until it is safe to do so.
3. Ensure that natural gas sources are safely secured.
4. Secure the exterior to prevent further water intrusion. This can include boarding up broken windows, making temporary roof repairs, sealing cracks or tacking down plastic sheeting against open gaps in walls or roofs.

Winter Home Protection: Storm Clean-up

When it’s safe to begin cleanup:

1. Disconnect all electronics/electrical equipment and move it to a safe, dry location.
2. Remove as much standing water as possible from inside the building.
3. Begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.
4. Ventilate the home as best you can with fans and/or dehumidifiers.
5. Contact a water extraction company, if necessary, for assistance. 

By taking immediate action, you will reduce the amount of damage and increase the chance of salvaging usable materials. You’ll also reduce the amount of rust, rot, mold and mildew that may develop, and lower the likelihood that the water will lead to structural problems.

Winter Home Protection: Reducing Ice Dam Risk

Ice dams are an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof. When interior heat melts the snow, water can run down and refreeze at the roof’s edge, where it’s much cooler. If the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off the roof, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

To help reduce the risk of ice dams:

1. Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
2. Keep the attic well ventilated so snow doesn’t melt and refreeze on the roof’s edge.
3. Make sure the attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

Winter Home Protection: Frozen Pipes

Bursting pipes occur when frozen water causes a pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold. To keep water in your pipes from freezing:

1. Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer.
2. Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
3. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
4. Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space.

Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.

At ApolloX Pest Control, while we’re inspecting for pests we regularly watch for the Winter home protection issues from the above list, and notify the home owner where action is needed.

Call ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

Credits: Winter Weather Home Protection Tips – Storm Master Inc.

The post Winter Home Protection Essentials appeared first on Pest Control.

Winter storm home protection is no longer simply a discussion topic–it’s a necessity. Do you live near the water in the Northeastern US? In recent years we’ve faced some surprisingly devastating hurricanes, reminding us what’s possible, and the need to prepare.

When it comes to winter storm home protection, the weakest, most exposed entry point for damage are windows and sliding glass doors.

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Better than tape.

“Don’t bother taping your windows” says Paul Craig, owner of Shade & Shutter Systems,

“That’s a waste of time,” he cautions. “It may keep glass from flying across the room, but it won’t stop tree limbs and other objects from crashing through the window as winds hit 80 miles per hour and higher.”

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: One broken window can bring the house down!

A broken window can mean more than water and wind damage in a particular room. Once your windows are breached, the wind can create upward pressure on the roof, which might be enough to send it flying. If this happens, you are likely facing a total loss.

If this reality motivates you to protect your home, the options are plywood, shutters constructed from metals or new lighter technologies such as VuSafe, a see-through polycarbonate hurricane storm panel.

Installing plywood Storm Window Shutters: Plan Ahead

Plywood covers are relatively cheap and can adequately protect a home. Boards should be five-eighths to three-quarters inch thick and 8 inches wider than the area being covered. Credits: Protecting Your Windows and Sliding Doors in a Storm | Luxx Cape …

One obvious advantage of planning now is simple availability of materials. When a storm is already on its way and everyone is frantically trying to prepare, the normal supply system is quickly overloaded. You may not be quick enough to buy the materials you need, you may not get enough material to do the job properly and, quite possibly, you may end up paying far more than the standard price.

Taking the time to start buying plywood now offers many advantages: you can spread your purchases out to make them more affordable and convenient, take advantage of any lumberyard sales, and ensure that, if you don’t already own a pickup truck or similar vehicle, you can borrow one to transport your materials. Obviously, it also ensures that you can actually get the materials you need.

Buying ahead also means that you can work ahead. One of the many effects of major storms (and other potential disasters) is their effect on electrical power. And since the operative word in “power tool” is power, cutting plywood to fit your windows properly is a task best done well in advance of a disaster.

 Credits: Installing Improvised Window Shutters | American Handgunner

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Best Type of Plywood

To make plywood hurricane shutters, first make sure that you buy exterior-grade plywood that is at least 5/8″ thick. Then, take a close look at the windows of your home and determine the best way to install the shutters. If you’re lucky, the windows will be set in from the surface of the exterior wall at least 2″. If so, you can cut your shutters to fit inside the window recess. This keeps the high winds from getting under the edges of the plywood and tearing it off the house.

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Cutting Plywood to Fit

To cut your plywood to fit, measure both the top and bottom and both sides of the window recess and check the corners with a carpenter’s square. Most windows are not perfectly square, so adjust accordingly to replicate its actual shape. Transfer that shape to your plywood and cut it out with a table saw or jigsaw.

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Bolting the Plywood

With the panel cut to size, the next step is to install barrel bolts (the latch hardware that operates like the bolt of a rifle) about every 18″ around each panel. The ends of the bolts should be flush with the edges and the protruding end of the bolt facing outboard. Place the panel in the window, mark the spots where the barrel bolts touch the window recess, and then drill holes into the recess to allow the bolts to extend into them. If the wall around your window is brick, concrete, or stucco, you’ll need a masonry bit to do this — and a fair amount of time. That’s another reason to start now.

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Mounting the Plywood

If you don’t have recessed windows, you’ll have to mount your plywood shutters flush to the surface of the outer wall. You’ll also have to anchor them very securely into the framework of the wall to keep them from being torn off by the wind. To do this, it’s best to cut the panels at least 8″ larger than the size of the window so you’ll have 4″ overlap on all four sides. Drill a series of holes 2″ from every edge about 18″ apart. Then, center the shutter over the window and mark through the holes onto the wall. With those marks as guides, drill holes into the wall to receive lag bolts. For windows 3×4′ or smaller installed on a wood frame house, use 1/4″ lag bolts and plastic-coated permanent anchors. The lag bolts must penetrate the siding and frame surrounding the window at least 1-3/4″. For larger windows, use 3/8″ lag bolts that penetrate the wall and surrounding frame at least 2-1/2″.

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Finishing Touches

To finish your panel, drill four small holes in the center of the panel to equalize air pressure and, if necessary, attach handles to it to make it easier to maneuver. You’ll also want to waterproof it with exterior paint or weatherproof sealant. Finally, do a basic sketch of your house and number every window that receives a shutter. Then, as you complete each panel, number them to match to prevent confusion when installing them. Credits: Installing Improvised Window Shutters | American Handgunner

Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters: Safe Plywood Storage

Safely storing all this plywood you’re prepared against a potential hurricane brings to mind the issue of termites. Imagine in those frantic moments of hurricane preparation that you go to the plywood, all carefully pre-cut and staced, only to find it discintegrating and useless due to termite activity!

Avoid this potential disaster by…

Calling ApolloX Pest Control

(888) 499-7378

We’ll make sure your plywood shutters, and additionally all the wooden structure of your home is protected against termite invasion!

The post Installing Plywood Window Storm Shutters appeared first on Pest Control.

Winter Tree Protection: Pre-Winter

• Fertilize in Fall – Fertilizing your lawn in fall is a great way to ensure that all of your lawn plants are healthy enough to withstand the challenges they’ll face in winter. However, you should only fertilize in the fall if the weather will not reach below freezing temperatures during the winter, as it will keep them “awake” during winter when they should go dormant. If your winters are fairly mild, fertilization will simply give your tree some extra strength.
• Protect container plants since pots can freeze. Cover the plants with compost, mulch, old blankets or anything that can help insulate them. Don’t leave pots hanging. Place on the ground and cover.

Winter Tree Protection: Wrapping Trees

• Wrap Trees Up Warm – Trees actually can benefit from being wrapped up during intense winter storms such as ice storms. If you have a heavy storm in your forecast, you may want to add wrapping your trees in burlap fabric to your list of safety precautions.
• Provide a Stable Temperature – You can use plastic wrap to help trees maintain a stable temperature in winter. This is important because of a winter phenomenon known as “sun scald,” which is when freezing trees are exposed to bright winter sunlight, causing the bark of the tree to come out of dormancy only to be killed when the sun is blocked or goes down again. This will harm the tree, but can be prevented by wrapping trees in plastic wrap, paying special attention to the south/southwest sides.
• Protect Trunks – The trunks of your trees can do with a little protection in the late fall and early winter, as wild animals will eat parts of your tree and use others for shelter-building. Trees whose bark is stripped away at the base can become sick and even die. If you don’t want your trees used by animals for these purposes, you can wrap the bases of your trees in wire mesh.
• Wrap rope around vulnerable branches of bushes and shrubs. Tying the branches upward helps restructure the branches to a more upright position before the storm.
• When the forecast calls for temperatures below 20 degrees, cover tender plants with an old sheet, tablecloth or even plastic, anchored with rocks or other weights. Leave the protection in place; when the weather warms, take it off.
• Generally, do not water your plants in freezing conditions but shrubs growing underneath the eaves of a house are susceptible to drought damage. Water them deeply every six to eight weeks only when the air temperature is above freezing and early in the day.

Winter Tree Protection: After a Storm

Shake Off Snow and Ice – Though snowy trees are a beautiful sight, built up snow and ice can strain tree branches to the breaking point. You can use a broom to gently shake the branches and brush the snow away, but be careful not to shake too roughly and cause the branches to crack. If the branches of your tree are sagging under the weight of the snow, it’s a good indication that a brushing is in order. Leave snow at the base of plants because it insulates roots.

Winter Tree Protection: Insect Damage

While insects are less active during the Winter, when they emerge next Spring they can damage or destroy your favorite trees and plants, not to mention endanger your health and safety should they enter your home.

Call ApolloX Pest Control
(888) 499-7378

Credits: Tips for Winter Tree Protection – Green Lawn Fertilizing

Credits: Winter is arriving fast: Prepare your trees, yard and house …

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