Author: Wendy Holtz

Florida is home to more invasive plants and animals (including pests) than any other state in the country. This unfortunate fact is largely due to Florida’s unique subtropical climate that provides a longer growth period for invasive species than they’d find in any other region of the country.

Invasive and non-native plants are more than just a nuisance. They can destroy natural ecosystems by outcompeting native plant species for sunlight and nutrients. Some of the most common invasive plant species you’ll encounter in The Sunshine State include melaleuca, Australian pine, and Brazilian pepper, but there are many more. Here’s what you need to know about invasive plants, and how you can keep them from harming your landscape—and our state’s natural ecosystem at large.

Why Are Invasive Plants a Problem?

Invasive plants are a problem, especially in residential areas in Florida, for many reasons. Not only do they grow very fast, but homeowners often don’t recognize that the plants growing on their property are invasive in the first place. Left unchecked, invasive plants can damage both ecosystems and built infrastructure. When invasive species are properly managed, it not only elevates the look of a community’s landscaping, but it also improves property values and overall quality of life for residents.

The Best Approach for Managing Invasive Species

The most effective—and environmentally-friendly—way to deal with invasive species, including plants and pests, is through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. This process is science-backed, combining tools and strategies to identify and manage invasive pests.

By focusing on long-term pest prevention and the damage they cause, IPM uses a combination of techniques like biological control, habitat manipulation, use of resistant varieties, and more. Often, professional lawn care companies like Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control can remove the invasive species without the use of chemicals, keeping your family and pets—and the environment as a whole—safe.

Some of the specific benefits of an Integrated Pest Management approach include:

• Promotes Biodiversity. Since IPM targets specific species only, the method protects biodiversity. You can put the safety of nature first by employing IMP techniques, rather than herbicides, to control invasive species.

• Saves Money. IPM is often more cost-effective since it controls pest population surges automatically. This is something that regular pesticide use can’t do.

• Reduced Herbicide Resistance. Invasive species can develop resistance to herbicides over time. Only IPM can slow down the development of resistance, ensuring plants can’t adapt and survive.

Trust Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control to Deal With Invasive Plant Species

At Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Leesburg, we follow an Integrated Pest Management approach to both our lawn care and pest control services. Not only is this strategy effective for dealing with invasive plant species, but it also protects human and animal health, as well as the environment. If you suspect invasive plant species have taken root in your yard, give us a call at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation.

Achieving a gorgeous green lawn takes plenty of work and routine maintenance, especially fertilization and weed control treatments. At Evergreen, we use treatments that are safe for people, pets, and the environment. Our eco-friendly treatments are very safe, so you and your family can get back to enjoying your yard as soon as possible. If you’re wondering how long before you can walk on your lawn after getting it treated, here’s what you need to know.

Keep Off Lawns for 24-72 Hours After Fertilization Treatment

It’s recommended for people, including adults and kids alike, to stay off a lawn for at least 24-72 hours after a fertilization treatment. After 72 hours, the fertilizer has been completely absorbed into the soil. Not only does this keep you and your family safe from fertilization material, but it also allows your lawn to absorb essential nutrients undisturbed. While Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control’s eco-friendly treatments are family-safe, with no herbicides or insecticides, for optimal results it’s best to give your grass time to absorb those treatments.

Keep Pets Off Lawns for 24-72 Hours After Fertilization Treatment

It’s also best practice to keep pets off lawns for at least 24 hours after fertilization treatment—ideally 72 hours, if possible. By keeping pets off until the treatment is dry, you’re ensuring that the fertilizer soaks in and is able to do its job without being disturbed by digging paws.

Fertilizer With Weed Control and Insect Control Treatments

Throughout the year, it’s best to receive fertilizer treatments side-by-side with weed control treatments. At Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control, we’ve found that the best lawns are ones that are treated proactively against weeds. We apply pre-emergent herbicides twice per year alongside fertilization. We also follow a systemic insect control program that keeps turf-destroying insects away from your lawn.

While there’s some time restriction regarding entering your lawn after these treatments, remember that they’re essential not only for keeping your yard looking its best but also for keeping it safe for kids and pets to enjoy. Consult with your professional lawn care technicians at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control for the appropriate re-entry intervals, to keep you and your family safe.

Eco-Friendly Lawn Treatments Keep Your Family and Your Lawn in Great Health

Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Debary puts the health and safety of your family and your pets first, and that’s why we use eco-friendly products in everything we do. We help you achieve a lush, green lawn in the safest way possible, so you and your family can enjoy your yard to the fullest, with complete peace of mind. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation!

If your trees aren’t growing like you’d expect them to, they could be suffering from underlying problems that cause stunted growth. There are several causes that lead to stunted growth in trees. If you want your trees to survive, thrive, and look beautiful in your landscaping for years to come, here are some of the causes and possible solutions to deal with stunted growth.

Poor Watering Practices

As with all plants, the right amount of water is essential for the growth of trees. If your trees are showing signs of stunted growth, provide supplemental water at least once or twice each week, especially in seasons of low rainfall. However, you want to make sure you’re not overwatering your tree since giving it excess water can keep the plant from “breathing” properly. If your tree has fragile leaves; a constantly wet base; or pale, yellow-looking growth, let the tree breathe and don’t provide supplemental water.

Poor Soil Quality

A tree’s root system is one of the most important components for healthy growth. Tree roots need to be surrounded by good soil, and if you’ve just planted a new tree, they should be surrounded by mulch to encourage healthy growth. It’s often helpful to apply a fertilizer with a root stimulator to encourage the roots to pull in water. If necessary, you may need to put down fresh soil.

Inadequate Space

Trees need plenty of space to reach their full growing potential. New trees should be planted at least three feet away from each other to ensure that one tree won’t steal nutrients from the other. While densely populated trees look great in terms of aesthetics, planting a forest in your yard is a bad idea, and you may need to clear out unhealthy trees to prime the healthier ones for better growth.

Pruning Too Much or Too Little

While pruning involves cutting away parts of your trees, it’s a necessary step that improves their long-term health. A tree grows best when the entire plant grows at the exact same time. Limbs that grow too long or become too entangled begin to compete, damaging the health of the tree by depleting essential resources. Pruning too much or too little can damage the health of your trees, which is why you should always leave this task up to the expert arborists at Evergreen.

Protect Your Trees and the Look of Your Landscape With the Help of Evergreen

If the trees on your property aren’t growing as well as they should, don’t wait to call the tree care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Apopka. When it comes to trees, we know what works and what doesn’t. We can diagnose and treat any problems that are affecting your trees, so you can count on years of healthy growth ahead. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 for your free consultation!

No matter the time of year or the weather conditions outside, bugs are never welcome guests on your property. Thanks to Florida’s unique climate, it’s not uncommon to find unwanted creepy-crawlies in your home or business throughout the whole year, but you may notice more of them after it rains. But does rain really bring bugs into your property—and lead to potential infestations? Read on to learn everything you need to know about this unfortunate, yet preventable, phenomenon.

How Rain Affects Indoor Pests

Are you noticing bugs in your home or business after it rains? It’s very common to spot more bugs around your property after heavy rain—after all, insects want shelter from the weather just like people do. While staying dry is a large part of why pests seek shelter inside homes and businesses across Orlando, a wide variety of insects can enter your property after a rainstorm for a range of reasons. Here are some of the pests you’re most likely to encounter following a heavy rain:

• Ant colonies, which live in mounds throughout your yard, are common across Florida. By instinct, these ants seek out the nearest dry land when it rains—and that usually ends up being your home. Since they are always seeking food, too, you’ll most likely spot them in your kitchen after a rain.

• These nuisance pests seek warm, dry places during rain. Since they often live in drains, pipes, and sewers, cockroaches crawl to the nearest safe space when it rains, which is usually inside a home or business. The cold-blooded insects can easily work their way out of your drains and through cracks in your home, so you’ll often spot them in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms where humidity helps them survive for a week without water and up to a month without food. While you may be able to deal with a few roaches by yourself, know when it’s time to call the pest control experts at Evergreen.

• These eight-legged pests love warm weather and hate the rain, so they’ll look for a safe, dry space to wait out a storm. They’re also on the lookout for prey, like other insects that have entered your home to escape the rain too.

• It’s not uncommon for Florida homeowners to see swarms of winged termites, or alates, after showers and rainstorms. They thrive in moist soil, so newly dampened ground is an ideal spot for these alates to camp out and begin the mating process. They can quickly mate and establish new colonies—ones that could soon be home to thousands of offspring. Don’t take any chances with these damaging pests! If you think you might have termites, check out these recommended tips from the termite control experts at Evergreen.

Evergreen Helps You Keep Pests at Bay, Regardless of the Weather Outside

Florida’s warm, often-rainy weather leaves homes and businesses in the entire state vulnerable to a wide range of nuisance and sometimes damaging pests. If you notice increased pest activity in your property following a rain, don’t risk a potential infestation. Instead, call the pest control experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando to stop the problem in its tracks. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to schedule your free consultation!