Author: Wendy Holtz

Most Floridians rejoice as fall weather approaches. The cooler temperatures and the end of hurricane season are most welcome, no matter where you live in The Sunshine State. But as the weather cools off, many Florida homeowners notice a pesky problem in their yards—brown patch fungus. Brown patch fungus, a disease that attacks grass, leaves large, circular brown patches on lawns throughout Florida every year. If you’ve noticed this unsightly problem in your yard, here’s how to get rid of it once and for all.

Water on a Schedule

Overwatering your lawn can cause brown patch fungus to take root and quickly spread. Brown patch fungus occurs on lawns where the surface of the grass is too wet, but the soil remains dry. It’s best to water once every 3 or 4 days, and you can water deeply—approximately .5-inch. Water in the early morning, if possible, so that moisture isn’t trapped at the surface during the afternoon when temperatures are hottest.

Improve Air Circulation

Brown patch thrives when there’s too much humidity in your grass, so many cases of the disease can be cured simply by improving air circulation to the lawn. The best way to ensure there’s proper airflow to your grass is by investing in professional dethatching and aeration, at least once a year in the fall. It’s better to rely on a professional’s touch instead of a DIY solution, since they have the high-powered equipment and expertise to ensure the job gets done right, without doing damage to your lawn.

Apply Organic Treatments

Whether you notice a few brown patches in your grass, or the disease has completely overtaken your lawn, don’t rely on DIY treatments to solve the problem—organic treatments can help your yard recover from this unsightly disease. The best way to cure brown patch fungus is with natural, eco-friendly products. Work with a local lawn care company that’s committed to eco-friendly practices, so you can rest assured that the treatments they provide are minimally invasive, as well as eco- and family-friendly.

Repair Your Lawn

After getting brown patch fungus under control, it’s time to repair your lawn with the appropriate nutrients and protection it needs to flourish year-round. Your local lawncare experts will suggest an appropriate fertilizer for the type of grass you have in your yard, as well as an ideal schedule for applying it. Proper fertilization, along with weed control when the growing season begins again, will keep brown patch fungus at bay, so you can enjoy a lush, green yard once again.

Get Brown Patch Fungus Under Control with Help from the Pros at Evergreen

There’s no need for brown patch fungus to drag down the appearance of your yard, as well as your home’s overall curb appeal. The lawn care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Apopka are ready to help! Give us a call today at (407) 880-6655 to request your free consultation.

Discovering a termite infestation at your home can send anyone into a panic. These harmful pests can cause widespread, costly damage to any property, and they’re a common pest found throughout Florida, no matter the time of year. Worrying about a termite infestation isn’t going to solve the problem—you need to take immediate action to prevent any further damage. Here’s what to do if you think you have termites.

Schedule a Professional Termite Inspection

If you suspect—or already know—you have a termite problem at your home, the first thing you should do is schedule a professional termite inspection. In general, if you spot one termite, it’s highly likely that there are plenty more nearby since these insects love to live in groups. That’s why you should invest in a professional inspection, even if you’ve only seen one or two termites.

Other signs and symptoms of a termite infestation are damaged wood, mud tubes, and swarmers. If you’re noticing any of these issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local termite control experts immediately. After a comprehensive inspection, your termite control professional will determine whether you’re dealing with an active infestation or the remnants of an old one, as well as what you should do about it.

Rely on the Professionals to Treat Your Home for Termites

If your termite control expert determines there’s an active infestation at your property, you need to have your home professionally treated. Termites are difficult to deal with on your own—they’re often active in areas that are very hard to reach. DIY treatments are rarely effective, but professional ones are. Your local termite control experts have the tools to completely remove a termite infestation once and for all, so you can enjoy life in your home once again.

Protect Your Property from Future Infestation

Termites are common throughout Florida, especially during hurricane season. While you’ll breathe a sigh of relief once your termite infestation is under control, you should take some preventative measures to ensure a new infestation won’t occur. The best way to do this is by investing in soil treatment from your termite control professionals. This creates a barrier next to your home, keeping away termites for the long term.

Family-Friendly Termite Treatments Protect Your Property—and the Environment

If you suspect that termites have set up shop in your home, it’s critical to take quick action. The longer you wait, the more damage termites can do to your property. Reach out to the termite control experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Debary right away at (407) 880-6655. One call to us is all it takes—we’ll get your termite infestation under control with non-toxic termite treatments that are guaranteed to protect your property for a minimum of five years.

It’s no secret that curb appeal is critically important when it comes to the value of a home. Today’s buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready, both inside and out, and a well-kept yard with beautiful, mature plants is high on every homebuyer’s wish list. Mature trees are in high demand, adding visual interest and appeal to any landscape.

So, does tree quality affect the value of your home? The answer is, “Yes!” Read on to learn more about how mature trees can boost home value, along with the other intrinsic benefits they provide.

Trees Boost Home Value

Mature, healthy trees add to your home’s overall value. Studies show that beautiful landscaping attracts potential buyers, and the homes that have it can command premium prices. Some surprising statistics prove that trees have significant value. According to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, every mature tree on a property can have an appraised value between $1,000 and $10,000.

Also, a University of Washington study found that homes that have large trees that provide a screen from the street see a great increase in value. In some cases, a yard with established trees can boost a home’s value between 3 to 15%. It’s clear that mature trees make a big difference when it comes to property value—homeowners should view them as more than a visual element and more like a value-adding feature.

Trees Benefit the Environment

Trees are a critical element in Earth’s ecosystem. Not only do they assist with stormwater management and pollution filtration, but they also aid in soil and water conservation. For homeowners, trees offer an additional benefit—energy savings. The shade from trees helps homeowners reduce their energy use, which is especially important in a place like Florida where keeping homes cool can be a challenge. Not only is conserving energy good for your wallet, but it’s also good for the environment.

Trees Improve Well-Being and Reduce Noise

Mature trees elevate any landscape, making the home where you live more attractive and appealing. Aside from offering shade from the sun, they provide protection from wind, rain, and even noise. A North Carolina State University study found that well-placed trees can block noise by up to 40%, making your home a more pleasant, tranquil place to be.

It Pays to Preserve Your Trees

Whether you’re planting new trees to elevate your landscape or weighing the cost of preserving mature trees at your home, carefully consider the long-term benefits. Not only are big, healthy trees a beautiful feature in any landscape, but they also give your home’s value a big boost.

As you consider your budget for tree care and preservation, keep the benefits described above in mind and reach out to your local tree care experts. The professionals at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Apopka know what it takes to protect and preserve your trees, so you can appreciate their beauty both now and in the future. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 to request your free consultation!

Hurricanes are a concern for many Florida homeowners year after year. Not only can the floods they bring cause catastrophic damage, but the winds can wreak havoc on your property—including your landscaping. Trees are often hit hard by the strong winds of a hurricane, and a study by the University of Florida found that most trees can only withstand a Category 1 hurricane.

The best way to preserve the beauty of your landscape—and keep falling trees from damaging your home—is to take great care of your trees. Here’s how to tell if your trees are ready for the next Florida hurricane, and what you should do to prepare them.

Prune Carefully

Pruning is the most critical thing you can do to give your trees the best chance of surviving a hurricane. When trees are young, train them to develop an evenly spaced framework of healthy branches along a strong trunk. Carefully prune the length of competing branches and stems so that you can extend this form as high as possible into the tree.

If you have any trees on your property 15 feet tall or over, it’s best to hire a professional arborist to handle the pruning before hurricane season arrives. Your tree care expert will skillfully remove dead branches, along with overly long ones. They’ll shorten or remove any cracked branches and thin out the canopy to reduce the chance of the tree blowing over during strong winds. Most importantly, your arborist will protect your family and your home by removing low branches close to your roof.

Even if you don’t think your trees need pruning, the expertise of an arborist is invaluable. Reach out to your local tree care experts for a tree evaluation every two years.

Select Trees Carefully

If you’re planning on planting a new tree, the best way to protect your landscape is to choose the species carefully. Choose species that offer superior wind resistance, and make sure to plant trees away from structures and utilities.

As you’re shopping for trees at your local nursery or garden center, choose trees that have straight—not circling—roots. Also, look for options with one dominant trunk, with branches equally spaced from each other. In general, trees with a low center of gravity and deep root systems—like the native live oak—are more likely to survive strong storms than other options.

Plant Carefully

The strongest trees are often the ones with the densest root systems, and the placement of trees in your yard matters. As you plant new trees, give them adequate rooting space with no obstructions like structures or sidewalks. Small trees need an unobstructed area 10-by-10 feet around the trunk, while large trees need about 30-by-30 feet. It’s best to plant trees in groups to make them more wind-resistant.

Protect Your Trees From Hurricanes With the Help of Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control

Want to give your trees the best chance at survival during a hurricane? Call the tree care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control – Orlando today! We’re ready to evaluate your trees and suggest the right steps to take to ensure they’re well-protected from the strong winds and rain of hurricanes and tropical storms. Give us a call at (407) 880-6655 and schedule your free consultation!