Hiring a Landscaper or Pest Control Company? What You Should Know

by janetporcaro | Aug 18, 2019 | Home Maintenance

Thanks to Guest Author, Ellie Goldberg, health-kids.info

BE A WISE CONSUMER

Don’t be fooled by names that sound “environmentally friendly.” You need to be cautious and skeptical to avoid being poisoned.

A company named “EnviroGreen” or “Organo-Lawn” doesn’t mean that you are safe. Don’t be fooled by a picture of a tree, a child, a rabbit, a dog or a sunrise on the label​.

Don’t trust ​claims such as “safe” or “natural.” Words that sound tame but mean “poison” include “weed n’ feed,” “pre-emergent,” “grub control,” and “fungus treatment.”

These products can give you, your family, and your neighbors headaches, rashes, nausea and breathing difficulties as well as a variety of chronic health problems.

BE WARY

Don’t believe any contractor who suggests that chemicals are the only answer to pest problems. Be wary of special deals, free offers, and high-pressure sales tactics.

Avoid any contractor who suggests using pesticides on a fixed schedule or ​”​four-step​”​ programs to “prevent” pests or as a general treatment regardless of the extent or location of the pest problem.

Many contractors market their services as “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) to appeal to your good intentions or ​to ​take advantage of your trust and ignorance.

NOFA, the Massachusetts Organic Farming Association (www.nofamass.org), is the only organization that has organic land care standards and a training and accreditation program for organic land care professionals (organiclandcare.net).

BE A PROBLEM SOLVER

Trustworthy professionals take the time to learn about your family, your house and yard. What is the pattern of sun and shade? What is its history of problems? What are your family’s patterns of use? Do you have children or pets? Is anyone in the family especially ​​vulnerable (very young​, elderly or have allergies, asthma or cancer)?

If you have a pest problem, the experts first identify the pest. Then they can suggest how to remedy conditions to prevent the weeds or bugs.

For example, in the yard, you might need to fix poor drainage or ​compacted ​soil. Inside you may need to fix a drippy faucet, caulk a crack, or clear clutter to deprive pests of food, water, entry and hiding places. A plan for your lawn or garden needs to start with a soil test for soil fertility and lead or other contaminants.

BEWARE HIDDEN INGREDIENTS

What you don’t know can hurt you. If they suggest using a chemical or synthetic product, ask for the product label and manufacturer’s safety data sheet (MSDS).

Watch out for “inert” ingredients. These so-called “inerts” are​ trade secrets (by law). Manufacturers do not disclose them to the public or even to the US EPA yet they may be more toxic than the active ingredients on the label.

“Inert” does not mean biologically inactive. Inert ingredients transport or carry the active ingredient, amplify its toxicity, increase its active life, and/or increase its ability to stick to or penetrate your skin.

BE SMART

NO PESTICIDE IS SAFE even when it is used according to label directions. A “pesticide” is any product used to kill insects, weeds, rodents or fungus.

The US EPA registration does NOT mean “approved.” And, Federal Law prohibits safety claims that directly or even indirectly imply that a pesticide is approved or endorsed by any federal agency. The law prohibits claims such as “non-toxic to humans and pets,” “safe when used as directed” or even “all-natural ingredients.”

Contractors who dismiss your concerns or downplays the risks of any product, even “natural pesticides,” should not be trusted with the health and well-being of your family.
​
Even “natural” products ​can be irritating to eyes, nose, lungs, and skin so caution is always appropriate. (Remember poison ivy is natural. www.poison-ivy.org)

RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE AND PLANT LOVERS

​Books: ​
The Chemical-Free Lawn by Warren Schultz
Common Sense Pest Control, by Olkowski, Daar, and Olkowski.

Grassroots Environmental Education (www.grassrootsinfo.org)
NOFA, Massachusetts Organic Farming Association (www.nofamass.org)
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (www.pesticide.org)
Beyond Pesticides (www.beyondpesticides.org)
Pesticide Action Network (www.panna.org)

Send your questions and comments to Ellie Goldberg, ellie.goldberg@healthy-kids.info

PEST CONTROL – The OLD way
1. Relies on poisons (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides).
2. Ignores the source of pest problems. (Allows conditions to get worse.)
3. Kills off beneficial plants and insects.
4. Pollutes water, soil, food, and air and contaminates buildings and landscapes.
5. Harms people, pets and wildlife.

THE INTELLIGENT WAY
1. Relies on a plan. (Don’t spray ’em, outsmart ’em!)
2. Prevents and corrects the source of pest problems. (Improves conditions.)
3. Protects soil fertility and biodiversity.
4. Protects the quality of water, soil, food, and air and enhances the quality of buildings and landscapes.
5. Protects the health and safety of our families and community.

How to Prepare Your Budget for an Unexpected Home Repair

by janetporcaro | Jul 13, 2019 | Home Maintenance

For many people, owning a home is the quintessential American dream. However, without due diligence and a financial plan, it’s easy to lose sight of the true costs of homeownership. While some costs can be accounted for up-front, such as a monthly mortgage and home insurance, the unknown costs that are the hardest to budget for are the various updates and repairs that will eventually come with time.

A house is not too different than a living organism in that it’s made up of many elements that work together harmoniously. Whether it’s electrical, structural, or mechanical, each component requires specific care and maintenance to keep it running at optimal performance and to prevent premature breakdowns. Over the years, these items will eventually need to be addressed as newer, more efficient systems come to market or a breakdown leads to a major repair.

Scoping Out Repairs

When assessing any work on your home, you’ll need to make a determination on the scope of the repair. If your home requires major repairs, you should budget accordingly, as larger scale projects generally require more materials and labor. Some cities require permits and inspections that are meant to meet city code and safety standards. Other factors you’ll want to consider are the age of your home, the builder grade of the materials, and even the environment where you live. These factors can impact the life expectancy for some of your home’s larger items, like the roofing.

Replacing a Roof

Despite your best efforts to maintain your roof, even the strongest, best-kept roofs could need replacing. Ice can wreak havoc, and if you’ve had your current roof for more than ten years, imagine its condition after weathering the unforgiving New England winter climate. Once you’ve determined that your roof needs to be replaced, you’ll need to budget for materials, labor, and disposal. While the costs of the raw materials will vary depending on the quality, it’s estimated that labor will most likely account for 40 to 50 percent of the overall cost.

Hiring a Contractor

Who you hire for any major repair work is a big decision to make. You’ll naturally want to find someone who offers the highest caliber of craftsmanship at the best rate. It can be difficult to find someone who does both, but referrals from friends, neighbors, and a local realtor can help you narrow down the best options. Be sure to do your homework before talking with any contractors, and know what questions to ask them as you shop around for quotes. The estimates will help you set expectations for how to budget for repairs. If the replacement is not an emergency, you might want to schedule the work for late winter or early spring when roofers might offer off-season discounts.

Saving Up for a Rainy Day

Sometimes the unexpected happens, and a tree may come crashing down and damage part of your roof. In the event of an emergency, you’ll have to address the problem immediately. While financial emergencies do happen, you don’t have to be caught off-guard. A rainy-day fund for repairing the damage from an actual rainy day can help ensure that you have some capital available to pay for the unexpected. This doesn’t mean you have to siphon off large amounts of your paycheck, but ways you can save include asking your parents for help, taking out a personal loan, or even taking out a home equity line of credit to borrow money for the repairs. You might also find that incremental savings ultimately add up and make all the difference as you weather the financial storm for when those rainy days hit.

Although homeownership has many costs associated with it, a little preventative maintenance can help prevent those costs from swelling to unaffordable amounts. Yet, even the most well-maintained homes are eventually faced with expensive repairs. When that happens, it’s best to be prepared.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Guest post by Julian Lane
Thefixitchamp.com
julian@thefixitchamp.com